Indholdsfortegnelse for 2024-10-15 i Mercury

Today is the day to live courageously and completely. It is of this era that we will say in years to come “those were the days” and look back with longing and nostalgia. May we open our eyes to the beauty all around us and see that even in the problems, even in the hardships, even in the brokenness, there is an intricate beauty. Possibilities abound. Potential untapped surrounds you and me on every side. Life itself waits for our involvement, and our involvement triggers the cogs into action, and action on your part and on my part brings forth insight, and the insight, when linked with courage and commitment, ushers in a deep appreciation for the very act of living and makes a future worth wanting. Life’s beautiful for…

Barely two weeks after Hurricane Helene struck Florida, Hurricane Milton reared its ugly head over the horizon. What made it especially frightening and destructive was that it teamed up with another powerful force of nature, the tornado. Several fiercely whirling funnel clouds that can pick up cars like they are toys, preceded the hurricane. It was terrifying. Even before it made landfall, experts were predicting its destructive force. There were around 15 storm-related deaths. Homes were damaged, roads flooded and over two million were left without power. According to early estimates, Hurricane Milton is expected to cause a staggering $50 billion in damages to the state of Florida. Many television news channels gave wide coverage to the powerful Hurricane Milton—BBC, CNN, Sky News, Euro News and even our local channels.…

Recently, the Tshwane Metropolitan Council installed its third mayor, ActionSA’s Dr Nasiphi Moya, in a period of three years. What did the residents of the capital city do to deserve this? They deserve better. What is Dr Moya bringing to the table? Experience and excellent academic qualifications. The incumbent is a former DA member and has served in different capacities in the official opposition and in government. She also holds a PhD in political science. Interestingly, Dr Moya served as a deputy mayor in the previous administration, which was led by the DA. She was also part of the executive and held an influential position. So, she should take blame for the failures of the previous administration, if there are any. That said, I didn’t like the previous Tshwane Executive…

THE Jacob Zuma-led MK Party’s constitution, its first formal guidelines, focuses on land reclamation and the return of all natural and economic resources. The party promises to work together with all progressive left leaning political organisations. The party’s constitution was launched last week by its national organiser Floyd Shivambu, who said it covers a broad range of issues, from a code of conduct to policy. The MKP said it would not be holding an elective conference as it had elected its national leadership and that such a conference could prove divisive and lead to factionalism. The preamble reflects on the country’s political history, dating back to colonial and apartheid oppression and states that the party is a means to address the historical racial and economic polarisation. The party will share…

A former safety risk officer at Eskom has been convicted on charges of corruption and fraud after she was found to be a director of a company that had been awarded contracts by the power utility. The Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court convicted 41-year-old Thandi Ruth Magagula of the charges. Mpumalanga spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Monica Nyuswa said Magagula had pleaded guilty to seven counts of corruption and two counts of fraud. She was subsequently convicted under Section 17 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. “The offences stem from contracts valued at over R58 000 awarded to a company named Mantoza Engineering Projects CC during the period between April 2015, while Eskom employed Magagula and she simultaneously served as a director of Mantoza Engineering…

Civil society group Black Sash says social grant beneficiaries were being targeted by unregistered lenders who use grants as security for high-interest loans and charge excessive interest rates per month. Black Sash said this was revealed in a report done in collaboration with the London School of Economics and Political Science, Stellenbosch University, and the National Financial Ombudsman Scheme SA. Professor Deborah James, one of the authors from the London School of Economics and Political Science, said the report titled ‘Collaborations to Curb Indebtedness’ aims to work towards tackling and curbing involuntary indebtedness, especially among welfare grant recipients. “We learned that social grant beneficiaries were being targeted by unregistered lenders who use state social grants as security for high-interest loans. We worked with over 40 advice offices who said the…

FRESH from seeking National Treasury’s support to pursue a private partnership for the South African Post Office (Sapo), Communications and Digital technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has outlined plans to rationalise some of the 11 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) falling under his department. This comes after DA MP Tsholofelo Bodlani asked in a parliamentary question whether Malatsi’s department had put any plans in place to rationalise the entities reporting to him that have overlapping mandates. Bodlani also enquired whether the department would pursue public-private partnerships to strengthen the performance of the entities, to alleviate the pressure on public finances. In his response, Malatsi said the merger of Broadband Infraco and Sentech had been discussed with the intention to form the State Digital Infrastructure Company. Malatsi also said plans are in place…

The history of Israel as we know it began in 1948 The first wave of European Ashkenazi Jewish immigration to Palestine began in 1881. The aim to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine was declared by Herzl at the first Zionist congress in Basel in 1897. Zionism at this time was a fringe ethno-nationalist political cult largely among elite non-religious Ashkenazi European creole-Jews who were reflective of anti-Semitism presenting as anti-Yid. The Ashkenazi Europeans were largely descendants of Europeans who had adopted creolised Jewish customs and faith after the migration of a small cohort of West Asian Jewish women to Europe. Their descendants were not Semites and had no direct roots in Palestine. During World War I, in 1916, Britain and France agreed secretly to divide the Arab provinces of…

China launched military drills around Taiwan yesterday, sending jets and warships in a “warning” to “separatists” on the self-ruled island. It is the latest show of force by Beijing, which sees Taiwan as its territory and vows to take it back by force if necessary. China has ramped up warplane flights into Taiwan’s so-called Air Defence Identification Zone since the 2016 election of former president Tsai Ing-wen, who considers the island “already independent”. Taipei said in April 2023 it had detected the long-range TB-001 Chinese combat drone and 37 other Chinese aircraft circling Taiwan. Local media said it was the first time Taiwan’s defence ministry had reported a Chinese military aircraft circling the island from one end of the Taiwan Strait’s median line, which China does not recognise, to the…

French authorities want to adopt a new immigration law next year, it was announced this week, as the new right-wing government seeks to crack down on immigration. The government’s plan to tighten immigration policies and border controls is emblematic of the rightward shift in French politics following this summer’s legislative elections that resulted in a hung parliament. Michel Barnier’s government hopes the bill will be submitted to parliament at the beginning of 2025. In September, a Paris student was raped and murdered in a case that has further inflamed a French debate on migration after a Moroccan was named as the suspected attacker. The government wants to extend the detention period for undocumented migrants deemed to be dangerous to better enforce expulsion orders. | AFP…

MILAN: China unveiled a rock sample from the moon’s far side to a space summit overshadowed by shifting political and commercial rivalries yesterday, with traditional space power Russia absent from the Milan gathering amid tensions with the West. The International Astronautical Congress has been a venue since 1950 for scientists, engineers, companies and politicians of space-faring nations to discuss co-operation. At the latest edition in Milan, the China National Space Administration showcased a rock sample that its Chang’e 6 rover fetched from the moon’s far side, the first such exploit and seen as evidence of Beijing’s rising space-power status. | Reuters…

ABUJA: Nigeria’s air force is acquiring 24 Italian-made M-346 attack jets and 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters as part of a fleet renewal strategy, a spokesperson said yesterday. Air Force spokesperson Olusola Akinboyewa said that a team met with executives from Italy’s Leonardo SpA, the manufacturer, in Rome who confirmed the first three M-346 aircraft were expected to be delivered by early 2025, with subsequent deliveries running until mid-2026. Nigeria has ramped up military spending as it struggles to contain attacks by armed bandits in the north-west and a 15-year Islamist insurgency against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province in the north-east. | Reuters…

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced that they returned their national team home yesterday, following claims of “inhumane treatment” while in Libya for a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Tensions surrounding the situation escalated after players expressed their refusal to play the match, prompting NFF officials to make the necessary arrangements for the team's return. Ademola Olajire, the NFF director of communications, confirmed the decision, stating, “Players have resolved not to play the match any longer as NFF officials are making plans to fly the team back home.” In light of the circumstances, Nigeria has formally lodged a complaint with CAF, whose disciplinary board is currently investigating the incident. The Nigerian squad were reportedly held for over 15 hours at an abandoned airport in Libya, since their chartered flight's…

In a time of managerial uncertainty, Declan Rice has expressed the unwavering support of England's players for caretaker boss Lee Carsley. Despite recent mixed messages regarding Carsley's desire for the role on a permanent basis, the squad remains focused on their upcoming challenges. Carsley stepped up from his position as Under-21s manager in August, initially taking the reins temporarily as Gareth Southgate's successor, with an eye on the Uefa Nations League campaign spanning three international windows. His tenure has come under scrutiny, particularly following England’s surprising 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley this past Thursday. Post-match, Carsley’s comments left many questioning his commitment to the job. He expressed hopes of returning to the U21s, while suggesting the role should be filled by a “world-class manager.” However, in a turn of…

WHO first climbed Mount Everest? On May 29, 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit. They were part of the ninth British expedition to Everest, led by John Hunt. But what if it should turn out that in fact the first were Andrew Comyn “Sandy” Irvine, who disappeared while attempting to climb Everest in June 1924 with his partner George Mallory? Could it be that they made it to the summit but didn’t make it all the way down again? Last month, according to the BBC, a team of climbers filming a National Geographic documentary stumbled on a preserved boot, in melting ice on a glacier. Well-known adventurer Jimmy Chin, who led the team for National Geographic,…

It was with a great shock that the Small Business Institute (SBI) learned last night of the passing of Dr Tito Mboweni, former governor of the Reserve Bank and former finance minister of the Republic. On behalf of SBI and its various stakeholders, we convey our condolences to the Mboweni family during the time of their loss. They remain in our prayers at this difficult time. We were looking forward to his post-politics contribution to our country’s renewal through the private sector and civil society. Mboweni served as President Nelson Mandela’s and SA’s first post-apartheid minister of labour and as President Thabo Mbeki’s and SA’s first black African governor of the Reserve Bank. As governor number-8, the position he appeared to enjoy the most, he will be remembered for having…

The road to 1 September 2024, the implementation date of the new two-pot retirement system regulation, has been long and winding. But we have finally arrived at the point where the proposals, discussions and all the pot analogies and memes have ended, and the system has become a reality. Under the new system, saving for retirement from your pre-tax salary will be split into savings that can be accessed before retirement (referred to as the ‘savings pot’) and savings that cannot be accessed before retirement (called the ‘retirement pot’). Let us keep this principle in mind before going into the exceptions and the third pot, referred to as the ‘vested pot’. The vested pot came about to allow for the government’s goal to keep the management and accessibility of retirement…

Msunduzi Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla has announced that water curtailment measures have been introduced in the province’s capital. This comes after similar measures were implemented in the eThekwini Municipality due to a directive given to the uMngeni-uThukela Water Board. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) issued a directive to uMngeni-uThukela Water to reduce water abstraction from the catchment system in order to align with its licensed limits. The directive affects the supply of water to municipalities that receive bulk water from uMngeni-uThukela Water including Msunduzi and eThekwini. In a media briefing yesterday, Thebolla said the water curtailment measures would be gradually implemented over the next 12 months, and had taken effect from October 10. He explained that the curtailment is aimed at enabling continued water availability, even during periods of…

A man, who had been hijacked and shoved into the boot of his vehicle, managed to crawl to safety after the alleged hijackers crashed his VW Polo while trying to flee from police. Police officers were conducting patrols in Mahambahlala when they spotted the vehicle driving through side streets in the area. “In Seyisi Street, officers wanted to stop the vehicle but when the occupants saw the police, they sped off,” said Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg. She said police called for back up and a high speed chase ensued. Janse van Rensburg said as the Polo approached a traffic circle at Mavuso Street, the driver lost control and the car crashed into a wall. Suspects alighted from the vehicle and fired at police. “Officers arrested…

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has launched an investigation into a bullying incident involving students at a Durban school after a video of the incident was shared on social media. This incident occurred at Thabela High School in Botha’s Hill, Durban. The video showed the victim being beaten by three other pupils in a classroom. The pupils were demanding that the victim pay them back money. In the video, one attacker can be heard asking: “When are you paying back my money? I want my money back,” as they continued to assault the victim. The department condemned the behaviour, affirming its commitment to maintaining respect and safety in educational environments. “We prioritise the well-being of all learners and are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and conducive learning environment,” it…

The bail application of a Durban policeman, who was arrested after he was found in possession of a bank card belonging to hijack victim Zarah Ramsamy’s mother, will resume next week. Zarah, an 11-year-old Grade five pupil, died in early September after fleeing hijackers ran over her with her parent’s car in the parking lot of a fast-food outlet. The Penzance Primary pupil died on arrival in hospital. Police officer Minenhle Makhaye was arrested in connection with the incident on October 4. However KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, clarified that Makhaye does not face murder or hijacking charges in connection with the hijacking. He explained that Makhaye had allegedly stolen a bank card from the hijacked vehicle after the crime. “When the hijacked vehicle was recovered in the Cato…

In a landscape marked by economic challenges and staggering unemployment rates, South Africa stands at a crossroads. The vision of a 24-hour economy has been championed by various political leaders, including former president Jacob Zuma, who posited that such an initiative could significantly reduce unemployment. Colleen Makhubele, who joined the MK Party, asserted that operating our economy around the clock is the most practical approach to halve the nation’s jobless rate. An economy that runs 24/7 offers a myriad benefits, ranging from increased productivity to boosted consumer spending. Countries such as the US, UK, and many Asian economies have leveraged this model to foster growth and create employment opportunities. In cities like New York and Tokyo, the round-the-clock economy not only provides jobs but also ensures that businesses thrive in…

Rwanda is making significant strides in its fight against the Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak, with recent data showing more recoveries than fatalities. Rwandan Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana provided the update during a media conference in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, as the country continues its efforts to contain the spread of the disease. “In the past seven days, we have seen more recoveries than deaths, which is a positive sign that the protective measures and treatments we have implemented are producing results,” Nsanzimana said. He said that since the MVD was detected in Rwanda at the end of last month, 61 people had been infected – 14 had died, 18 had recovered and 29 remained under treatment. No new infections had been detected in the past three days of…

STOCKHOLM: US-based academics Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James Robinson won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics “for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity”, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced yesterday. The award, worth 11 million Swedish crowns (R18.4m), highlights the importance of societal institutions in addressing income disparities between countries. Acemoglu and Johnson, from MIT, recently collaborated on a book exploring technology’s impact on job creation and wealth distribution. The economics prize, established in 1968, has been predominantly awarded to US researchers, reflecting their significant contributions to the field. | Reuters…

Moscow: Russian forces have re-captured a tiny village in southern Ukraine that Kyiv managed to take back during its summer counter-offensive last year, the Russian defence ministry said yesterday. Levadne, in Ukraine’s southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, was home to just a handful of people before Moscow’s full-scale military assault began in February 2022 and lies on the southern front line. It was one of seven villages the Ukrainian army managed to wrest from Moscow in the area last June during a mostly failed counter-offensive, and sits just south-west of the Ukrainian-held stronghold of Velyka Novosilka. | AFP…

As the United Rugby Championship (URC) unfolds, the Springbok coaches are undoubtedly smiling with the impressive performances of lock RG Snyman. Since joining Leinster, the double World Cup winner has seamlessly integrated into the squad, showcasing his pivotal skills on the field. In the inaugural Irish derby against his former club, Munster, Snyman stood tall in the 26-12 bonus point victory. Despite facing a few jeers from the crowd, his contribution was invaluable, demonstrating why he is one of the leading locks in the game when not injured. Head coach Rassie Erasmus can breathe a little easier with the emergence of Snyman, particularly as the Springboks prepare for the highly anticipated November Tests against Scotland, England, and Wales. This year, the Springboks faced difficulty, particularly in the line-out department, with…

Coach John Maduka’s work is cut out of him as he must ensure that Royal AM survive another season without new players after their transfer ban appeal was dismissed yesterday. The club previously applied to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overtunr a three transfer window ban – which came into affect in January this year – asking for the ban to be lifted. The application, however, failed to convince CAS. The Pietermaritzburg-based side has been barred in the last 18 months from signing players after they failed to pay the sum of R12 million to striker Samir Nurkovic, after his contract was prematurely terminated. They were again sent to CAS after they failed to pay off former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Ricardo Nascimento his settlement fees, as well.…

The IFP is deeply saddened by the passing of former Minister of Labour (1994 - 1998) and Finance (2018 - 2021) and Governor of the Reserve Bank, Dr Titus Tito Mboweni, a distinguished son of the soil, who served South Africa with dedication and integrity. As part of the Class of 1994 Government of National Unity (GNU) that ushered South Africa into a new era, Minister Mboweni was instrumental in fostering national reconciliation, social cohesion and dignity in the work space through labour law reforms. His contributions to our country's economic development during his tenure as Minister and Governor of the Reserve Bank will be one that generations will remember. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and the country at large, for we have lost a patriot…

The Merebank Tamil School Society (MTSS) must be commended for the highly anticipated cultural show on Sunday, October 13, which has once again proven to be a resounding success. This has cemented the community's thirst for cultural experiences. Electrifying performances and warm hospitality by the society made this show an unforgettable day. Thank you to Morgan Nadasen and the rest of the team who brought some of the most sought-after artists to perform, and always seeks the best talent for this festival. Well done in promoting culture to the younger generation, who are our future leaders. Let us not forget the tireless members who left no stone unturned in ensuring everyone who attended the show left very happy. To all the members of MTSS, take a bow for revitalization of…

A report by an independent investigator looking into allegations of dereliction of duty against Sibusiso Makhanya, the Deputy City Manager (DCM) for trading services in the eThekwini Municipality, has recommended that he be subjected to a disciplinary hearing. The Mercury has had sight of a confidential council report detailing the investigator’s findings which was tabled before a council meeting last Thursday. The report, which was approved by council, recommended that Makhanya undergo a disciplinary process. Makhanya stated he was aware of the report but said he had not seen it. “They are still to give it to me with the minutes.” He was placed on precautionary suspension last month after the allegation against him surfaced. Makhanya is accused of failing to act to prevent the city from incurring…

Opposition parties are furious at the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision not to prosecute President Cyril Ramaphosa and all those connected to the Phala Phala incident, with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) saying it is considering a private prosecution of the president. Advocate Mukhali Ivy Thenga, the director of public prosecutions (DPP) for Limpopo, announced on Friday that the authority will not be pursuing the case any further following what it called a “comprehensive investigation” by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). In 2022, former spy chief Arthur Fraser accused Ramaphosa of money laundering and made a complaint at the Rosebank police station. Fraser said about $4 million in undeclared foreign currency was allegedly stolen from Ramaphosa’s private game farm. He said the money had been concealed in a…

DA leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has stated that his party will “under no circumstances” support the implementation of the two controversial clauses of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Act under the Government of National Unity (GNU). Steenhuisen recently addressed the media, outlining the DA’s five key medium-term priorities for the GNU, as the new government marked its first 100 days in office. The DA has expressed opposition to clauses 4 and 5 of the Bela Act, which concern language and admission policies in schools. He stated that the DA will not support the four non-negotiables in the GNU under any circumstances. “The implementation of clauses 4 and 5 of the Bela Bill needlessly opens the door to depriving children of their mother-tongue education in single-medium schools,”…

KwaZulu-Natal police, along with other law enforcement agencies, yesterday conducted an operation in the Albert Park area to target crime hot-spots. Police said during the operation, 15 foreign nationals who lacked documentation to be in the country were arrested. In addition, over 100 homeless individuals were taken for processing. The operation was led by the eThekwini District Police and targeted areas notorious for crimes such as theft out of motor vehicles, smash-and-grab incidents and robberies. KZN police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said with the festive season approaching, the police management in the eThekwini District, together with the Office of the Premier, Correctional Services, Metro Police and the Department of Community Safety and Liaison conducted a raid in the Albert Park area. The operation also resulted in the demolition of several informal…

There is no doubt that the emerging thrust of GNU economic policy is infrastructure spending, targeted to stimulate economic growth and cushioned by much-needed cost-cutting measures in public expenditure especially in wasteful and dubious procurement, and wanton perks for ministers, premiers and mayors. That is the aspiration, and South Africa of course is not alone in this policy ambition. Even the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda has its SDG9 dedicated to “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”. Governments all over are at it, including the new Labour government of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in the UK, where the whole basis of pushing back against 14 years of Tory austerity (read state capture and corruption in the case of South Africa) and an alleged £22bn black hole in the public finances,…

Hezbollah said it targeted an Israeli naval base yesterday, a day after a drone strike killed four soldiers in the deadliest attack on Israel since the war in Lebanon began. The group said its fighters launched rockets at a naval base near Haifa in northern Israel, calling it a tribute to its slain leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The Israeli military said yesterday that it had intercepted another launch aimed at a training camp at Binyamina, also near Haifa, a day after four soldiers were killed and dozens more wounded in a Hezbollah drone strike. Yesterday, Israeli army chief Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi visited the Golani Brigade’s training camp in Binyamina, and told soldiers: “We are at war, and an attack on a training base on the home front is difficult and the…

Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier is turning to a cash-strapped German firm for electric jets to service routes to new luxury resorts and the holy city of Mecca, an official said this week. The aircraft from Munich-based Lilium will provide direct links to hard-to-reach routes along the Red Sea coast and ferry Muslim pilgrims directly from Jeddah to Mecca, which does not have an airport, Saudia communications affairs manager Razan Shaker said. “Our strategy is that it will help in bridging the locations and the cities that don’t have an airport or that are maybe hard to go to,” she said on the sidelines of a logistics forum in Riyadh. The plans include flying pilgrims to the Fairmont Makkah Clock Royal Tower hotel, near Mecca’s Grand Mosque, where “we’re working on…

Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met in Muscat yesterday with Mohammed Abdelsalam, a senior official from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement, according to his office. The foreign ministry released pictures of their talks during Araghchi’s visit to the Omani capital, the latest in a series of diplomatic trips in the region following Israel’s vow to retaliate against an Iranian missile attack on October 1 for the killing of Tehran-aligned militant leaders in the region and a general in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Israel has vowed to respond. Yemen’s Houthis, along with the Palestinian Hamas group in Gaza and Hezbollah, are part of Iran’s ‘axis of resistance’ against Israel. | AFP…

Kabul: Afghanistan’s Taliban morality ministry pledged yesterday to implement a law banning news media from publishing images of all living things, with journalists told the rule will be gradually enforced. “The law applies to all Afghanistan... and it will be implemented gradually” by persuading people images of living things are against Islamic law, spokesperson for the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice Saiful Islam Khyber said. The Taliban government judiciary recently announced legislation formalising their strict interpretations of Islamic law imposed by the authorities. | AFP…

This could be the new normal – a time where Bafana Bafana are all but expected to qualify for all major tournaments in the land. And, boy, they’ve already made their availability for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations known, as they are a win away from reaching the Morocco finals. After having mopped the floor with Congo-Brazzaville in the first leg of the back-to-back qualifiers, winning 5-0, they are expected to reach the promised land in Brazzaville tonight (6pm kick-off). However, that’s easier said than done. Coach Hugo Broos knows that the Red Devils will be out for vengeance. Here, MIHLALI BALEKA looks at three players who must rise to the occasion today. TEBOHO MOKOENA – MIDFIELDER Mokoena was Bafana’s main man in the first leg against Congo-Brazzaville at…