Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-03-03 i Mercury

Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC and mainstream media are in a proper tizz over Afriforum’s recent visit to the White House in Washington, US. News channels are running around like headless chickens trying to frame Afrikaner minority groups as the scapegoat for the rapid deterioration of the South Africa-US relationship. Ramaphosa and the media are making ridiculous claims and very desperate statements regarding the agenda of civil rights groups AfriForum and Solidarity, making it seem like Kallie Kriel and his colleagues have committed treason. It is absolutely laughable! What Ramaphosa doesn’t realise, or what he fails to admit, is that these Afrikaner minority groups have been pleading with our government for several years now to do away with the appalling, racist laws being signed into action, and not even legally so,…

I feel excitement building when I board a flight to South Africa. Drop a sentence or two in Zulu or Afrikaans while boarding and without fail conversations flourish with a brand of humour unique to our subcontinent. Stories inevitably reveal that my fellow passengers are as pleased to board the home-bound plane as I am. Kindly indulge me through March as I attempt to track my visit to South Africa through this column. I am here for the month although I will spend the first week in Windhoek, Namibia. While I am yet to secure a date, I am planning on visiting KZN and I am open to an invitation to preach at a local congregation. I am aware that churches plan their preaching schedules far in advance and I…

The termination of funding from the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) programme to organisations, involved in HIV treatment and prevention, has dealt a major blow to South Africa’s HIV response. This is according to Desmond Tutu Health Foundation’s chief executive Linda-Gail Bekker, who was commenting on the funding cut. Pepfar-funded HIV organisations receiving grants from the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, received letters last Thursday alerting them that their grants have been terminated. Since Pepfar’s inception in 2003, the US government invested over $100 billion in the global HIV/Aids response, saving over 25 million lives, preventing millions of HIV infections, and supporting several countries to achieve HIV epidemic control, all while significantly strengthening global health and economic security. Bekker said some of the work done…

The City of Joburg has been named as the best-performing metropolitan municipality by the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in the inclusive growth index, which ranks councils on tackling inequality. The Thabazimbi Local Municipality in Limpopo is the best-performing municipal region in the country, according to UJ’s transformative Local Government Inclusive Growth Index (LGIGI). In the top 10 list of best-performing municipal areas were four from Gauteng; two from Northern Cape and one each from Mpumalanga, Western Cape, Limpopo and North West. The main results of the study indicate that a national inclusive growth index improvement from 41.5 in 1995 to 52.9 in 2023 – show an annual growth of 0.99% annually. Gauteng is the leading province with an index of 62.6, while KwaZulu-Natal lags at 48.3, highlighting critical developmental challenges.…

The call by Deputy Minister of Defence Bantu Holomisa for a full investigation of the country’s peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which claimed the lives of 14 SANDF soldiers last month, has received widespread political support. This comes as military experts and political parties have united in demanding transparency and accountability over the country’s failed DRC mission. Holomisa, speaking in his capacity as the deputy minister, made this call while addressing mourners at the funeral of 42-year-old SANDF Sergeant William Eddie Cola in the Eastern Cape on Saturday. Cola is one of the 14 soldiers who lost their lives in clashes with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the DRC. Holomisa said it was standard practice for a board of inquiry to be established after such incidents, adding…

The issue of contraband being smuggled into prisons continues to be a problem at some KwaZulu-Natal correctional centres with prison officials also found to be involved. This came to light during the parliamentary portfolio committee on correctional service’s recent oversight visit to correctional facilities in KwaZulu-Natal. The committee visited facilities in Durban (Westville Prison), Pietermaritzburg (Pietermaritzburg Medium A and Medium B Correctional Centres), Kokstad (Kokstad Medium Correctional Centre and Ebongweni Super-Maximum Correctional Centre), Empangeni (Qalakabusha Correctional Centre) and Eshowe (Eshowe Correctional Centre). Among the issues the committee focused on was contraband smuggling, with KZN being one of the two top provinces with contraband in its facilities. Committee chairperson Kgomotso Ramolobeng said the committee was informed about how inmates smuggled contraband and the systems they use. The committee also witnessed first-hand…

EVERY year on March 3, we celebrate World Wildlife Day (WWD) to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife and biodiversity. Since its inception in 2013, WWD has highlighted the critical role wildlife plays in sustaining ecosystems, supporting livelihoods, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, as we mark WWD in 2025, themed “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet”, it’s time to confront a hard truth: the current funding model for wildlife conservation is fundamentally flawed. Today, wildlife conservation relies heavily on donor funding, a model that is unsustainable and often counterproductive. While well intentioned, this approach perpetuates dependency, stifles innovation, and fails to empower local communities as true stewards of their environment. Donor-funded projects are often short-term, project-based, and disconnected from the socio-economic realities of the people…

China’s leadership convenes this week for closed-door meetings to hammer out plans to shield the ailing economy from tariffs and trade threats from US President Donald Trump. The “Two Sessions” gatherings of the country’s parliament and top advisory body are primarily talk shops, rubber-stamping decisions made by the Communist Party while giving a veneer of openness and accountability. But they do offer a rare glimpse into the leadership’s priorities and concerns while facing an unpredictable US – China’s largest trading partner and strategic rival. Ahead of the meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping admitted the country’s economy was facing “numerous difficulties”, writing in an article set to be published this week in ruling Communist Party journal Qiushi, state media said. But Xi also stressed “the conditions supporting long-term growth and the…

SEOUL: The US aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson arrived at the southern city of Busan in South Korea yesterday as a show of force, South Korea’s navy said. The visit was part of the “ironclad” commitment of the US to extended deterrence and to show readiness by the military alliance between Seoul and Washington against North Korea, according to the navy. The nuclear-powered vessel belonging to Carrier Strike Group 1 was joined by the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton and the USS Sterett guided-missile destroyer. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised a test launch of strategic cruise missiles last month and ordered full readiness to use its nuclear attack capability, according to state media. It marks the first time a US aircraft carrier has called at the country since June.…

Lions fans must have feared the worst when star centre Henco van Wyk and Springbok fullback Quan Horn were ruled out of Saturday’s crunch United Rugby Championship clash against the Sharks at Ellis Park. However, Manuel Rass and Tapiwa Mafura stepped into the breach with strong performances on attack and in defence in the dominant 38-14 victory for the home side. The value of solid backup options was also demonstrated in the performance of Siba Qoma who came onto the field after the injury to flank Ruan Venter. Rass’ performance, in particular, did not surprise Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen. “Because of the competition structure and time and length and challenges, we said from day one that it’s going to be a massive squad effort. “And losing someone like Quan…

The relegation battle in the Betway Premiership has reached new heights, with Richards Bay FC coach Ronnie Gabriel warning that many teams face a genuine threat of dropping to the lower tier this season. Speaking after his side’s 0-0 draw with Chippa United at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday, Gabriel expressed concern over the precarious position many clubs find themselves in. Just five points separate ninth-placed Chippa with 15th- placed Magesi at this stage of the season. The result against the Chilli Boys, although frustrating for Richards Bay, extended their unbeaten run in the league to five matches. However, it was a day of mixed fortunes as their relegation rivals were making significant strides. Marumo Gallants pulled off a shocking 2-0 win over title contenders Orlando Pirates, pushing Richards…

The offensive expression “Indian giver” probably stemmed from the notion that white European settlers who “invaded” the land that later became known as America, tried to bribe the local indigenous peoples (later erroneously described as “Red Indians”) with trivial beads and worthless shiny stones in exchange for of land. The legend continues that once the European had settled there, hordes of “Red Indians” attacked them at night, to demand the return of the land. The expression is a little like the English “Can I please have my penny and my bun?” (But a little less peaceful, I imagine!) Ukraine’s self-elected “dictator”, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, was given bil lions of dollars worth of ammunition and other hard-hitting toys, smoothly manufactured in armament factories of the United States (with enclosed instructions in English…

THE office of a politician, whether in national, provincial or local government, is a high one. Those who are appointed or elected to such positions are expected to have positive qualities, primarily proficiency and integrity, and they must be serve the people. In our 30 years of democracy, all three tiers of government were graced by some politicians with these qualities. Regrettably, the government has been disgraced by those lacking proficiency and integrity who do not serve the people. They are criminals, fraudsters, corrupt, looters, smooth talkers and con artists. It is my firm belief that one must have a minimum level of academic qualifications in order to serve as a politician. A matric should be the prescribed minimum. I make a strong plea for suitable legislation to be enacted…

Torrential rainfall has triggered flash flooding across eThekwini Municipality, with reports of overflowing rivers, washed-away roads, and rising water levels in several communities. Authorities said emergency response teams remained on high alert as a Level 5 weather warning for more severe downpours had been issued by the SA Weather Service. Social media videos circulating online showed flooded streets, submerged vehicles, and damage to infrastructure. Security company Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) said it had received distress calls from residents in the northern parts of Durban. Reports indicate that stormwater drains failed to handle the heavy downpour, diverting water through yards. “One family had to be evacuated from their home in Temple Valley, Verulam, after a bank collapsed,” Rusa confirmed. “In Canelands, emergency responders were dispatched to a temple where rising…

A 29-year-old Durban man has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Durban Regional Court for public violence during the July 2021 unrest. Nhlanhla Mkhize entered into a plea bargain with the State and pleaded guilty to breaking into the premises of several businesses in Highflats on July 12, 2021 and thereafter looting the businesses. According to the State, Mkhize was among the crowd of approximately 100 people that broke into the premises in Highflats. State prosecutor Surekha Marimuthu said when Mkhize committed the offence he was working as a security guard earning R7 500 per month. In aggravation of sentence, Marimuthu argued that Mkhize participated in violent acts that led to destruction of property, injury, or harm to others. “The July 2021 riots were amongst the most violent…

The newly appointed KwaZulu-Natal ANC leadership has thrown its weight behind Ithala Bank, vowing to oppose the move to close it down. The bank is in a legal battle with the South African Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority which has filed papers in the Pietermaritzburg High Court for its provisional liquidation. Although the Prudential Authority cited non-compliance as the reason for the application, the matter has been turned into a political hot potato as politicians and other stakeholders are opposed to the closure of the bank. ANC veteran Mike Mabuyakhulu, who is the co-ordinator of the party’s reconfigured provincial leadership, said the new leadership of the ANC in the province were in full support of the continued existence of the historical bank. He said the party was totally against the Prudential…

The Amajuba District Municipality has announced that it has a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. This comes after the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development received test results confirming the presence of FMD in the province. Department spokesperson Joylene van Wyk said cattle at a dip tank in Mtubatuba have tested positive for FMD. These cattle exhibited clinical signs of FMD in December and samples were taken. Laboratory results confirmed the introduction of a SAT1 FMD virus into the area. She said the SAT2 variant of FMD has been present in the region since 2021. She said investigations confirmed that the detected SAT1 virus is similar to one recently identified in the northern part of the Kruger National Park. “Over the past two weeks, clinical signs of…

In a commendable move, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, alongside Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe, has decided to extend the deadline for beneficiaries to migrate from their Sassa gold cards to the Postbank black card until March 20. This decision comes in response to the reality that many beneficiaries were unable to meet the original February 28 deadline due to various challenges. The importance of this extension cannot be overstated. For millions of South Africans relying on social grants, the Sassa gold card is a lifeline, providing essential support in times of need. With the original deadline looming, the fear of widespread disruption in grant access was palpable. Many beneficiaries, especially the elderly and vulnerable, faced uncertainty regarding their ability to receive critical funds. The decision…

Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza yesterday as a standoff over the truce that has halted fighting for the past six weeks escalated, with Hamas calling on Egyptian and Qatari mediators to intervene. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said earlier that it had adopted a proposal by US President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza for the Ramadaan and Passover periods, hours after the first phase of the previously agreed ceasefire expired. If agreed, the truce would halt fighting until the end of the Ramadaan fasting period around March 31 and the Passover holiday around April 20. The truce would be conditional on Hamas releasing half of the living and dead hostages on the first day, with the remainder released at…

Immigrant parents in the UK, fearful of gang knife violence, are sending teenage sons back to their countries of origin, a community worker said at the weekend, after a boy sued his family for putting him in a Ghana boarding school. The comments come a day after a judge ruled in favour of the parents of the boy who “tricked” him into going to Ghana to be educated because they did not want him to become “yet another black teenager stabbed to death in the streets of London”, their lawyer said. Junior Smart, of the St Giles Trust whose work includes helping young people leave gangs, said far from being an isolated case, the parents’ actions were actually “very common” because “no-one wants their child to be killed”. “I wouldn’t…

The Kremlin said in remarks aired yesterday that the US’ dramatic shift in foreign policy largely aligns with its own vision. US President Donald Trump has sought to build ties with Moscow since taking office in January, reaching out to President Vladimir Putin and siding with Russia at the US. “The new administration is rapidly changing all foreign policy configurations. This largely coincides with our vision,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told a reporter from state television. “There is a long way to go, because there is huge damage to the whole complex of bilateral relations. But if the political will of the two leaders, President Putin and President Trump, is maintained, this path can be quite quick and successful,” Peskov added. Peskov made the comments last week, but the remarks…

Spinner Varun Chakravarthy returned figures of 5/42 as India beat New Zealand by 44 runs yesterday to set up a semi-final clash with Australia in the Champions Trophy. India won all three of their group matches to top Group A and will play the first semi-final of the 50-over tournament in Dubai on Tuesday. New Zealand will take on Group B winners South Africa in Lahore on Wednesday. India are playing all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan due to security reasons. Australia and South Africa had to travel to Dubai from Pakistan despite not knowing if they would be playing there, as India were told ahead of the tournament they would play the first semi-final if they qualified no matter where…

The State of the Province Address (SOPA) by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, marks a step forward – with all the hallmarks of a “doing” government – but the devil will be in the implementation of his provincial government’s plans. As part of KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA acknowledges the positive start made by Premier Ntuli along with his commitment to wide-spread community and stakeholder engagement. This is key in addressing the multiples challenges faced by our people. We are also encouraged by the recent survey on public perception, which shows a notable rise in optimism in KZN, just eight months after the GPU formation. The DA welcomes the premier’s acknowledgement of KZN’s fiscal constraints and the need to develop public/private partnerships (PPP) to ensure the province’s success.…

HERE’S a case of the camera catching what the eye does not see. When Shanghai-based designer Guo Qingshan posted a holiday photo on Valentine’s Day and captioned it “Puppy Mountain”, it became a sensation in China and even set up a new tourist destination. Guo went on a hike while visiting his hometown of Yichang in central China’s Hubei province. Reviewing the photos, he saw something he hadn’t noticed before: A mountain shaped like a dog’s head rested on the ground next to the Yangtze River, its snout perched at the water’s edge. “It was so magical and cute. I was so excited and happy when I discovered it,” says Guo. “The puppy’s posture is like it’s drinking water, or it is looking at some fish. It also looks like…

Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) staff and students are expected to return to in-person academic activities today. Classes were moved online because the water supply to the university in uMlazi was disrupted. MUT said: “The water supply on campus has been restored, therefore, management is advising all staff to be at their workstations from Monday, March 3.” Last week, Zama Sishi, MUT's Department of Marketing and Communications acting senior director said the university started experiencing water supply issues on January 20, with burst water pipes resulting in intermittent water supply.…

Eskom wants the free basic electricity (FBE) grant to be reviewed so that it can reach the intended poor households and that the 50 kilowatts allowance be increased after two decades of introduction. The power utility also wants to administer the disbursement of the grant to indigents and that it handle the billing and revenue collection on behalf of councils, among other things. These are some of the proposals Eskom outlined with the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) last week as a way to deal with the spiralling R100 billion debt owed to it by municipalities. The proposals come as municipalities have been using revenue generated from electricity to fund other municipal services or maintenance, while failing to pay Eskom and maintain electricity infrastructure. Deputy Minister of Electricity Samantha…

Security officers were injured in a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery in northern KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend. IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyrick said IPSS Medical Rescue and IPSS Security responded to reports of a CIT robbery on the R102 between Mandeni and Gingindlovu on Saturday. “Armed suspects opened fire on a CIT vehicle and escort vehicle, forcing the escort vehicle from the road before using explosives to gain access to the back of the CIT vehicle,” Meyrick said. She said the suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash and stolen firearms. “Two security officers from the escort vehicle sustained minor injuries and were transported to a nearby facility for further care,” Meyrick said. The heist comes a week after Police Minister Senzo Mchunu released the third quarter (October to December…

The death toll from an avalanche in northern India climbed to seven yesterday as survivors recalled their dramatic rescue after hours buried under the snow and debris. Rescuers recovered one body and were looking for three others still missing, the army said. More than 50 workers were submerged under snow and debris after the avalanche hit a construction camp on Friday near Mana village on the border with Tibet in the northern Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. Authorities revised down the number of workers on site at the time of the avalanche from 55 to 54 after one worker, previously believed to be buried, was found to have safely made his way home before the avalanche hit. Relief teams managed to rescue 50 workers, but among them four later died of…

QUITO: At least one person was killed and three injured after the flash flood triggered by heavy rains swept through Pinas in Ecuador’s coastal province of El Oro at the weekend night, officials said. The National Risk and Emergency Management Service said the flood affected three areas of Pinas, forcing 400 people to evacuate to a temporary shelter. At least 10 homes were destroyed, 60 damaged, and several businesses impacted. Meanwhile, flooding from the San Roque River inundated streets and homes in Pinas, compounding the devastation. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa ordered the immediate deployment of government agencies to assist with relief efforts in El Oro, one of eight provinces under a state of emergency due to torrential rains. | Xinhua…

KAMPALA: The Ugandan army confirmed yesterday it has sent troops to another town in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to fight local armed groups, amid fears a raging conflict could spiral into a wider war. “Our troops have entered Mahagi town and we are in control,” Uganda’s defence and military affairs spokesperson Felix Kulayigye said yesterday. The deployment was requested by the Congolese army following alleged massacres of civilians carried out by a militia known as the Co-operative for the Development of Congo (Codeco), he said, without providing further details. Mahagi is in Ituri province, which borders Uganda, where at least 51 people were killed on February 10 by armed men affiliated with Codeco, according to humanitarian and local sources. Codeco claims it defends the interests of the Lendu community,…

When the rain finally stopped, they came. They came, and they filled the grandstands and surrounded the 18th green at Durban Country Club. They came because not even a waterlogged golf course nor a championship decided over 54 holes could stop history. They came to see Dylan Naidoo become the first South African player of colour to win the South African Open. With South Africa’s Naidoo and England’s Laurie Canter tied for the lead on 14-under par after three rounds, a deluge of rain on Sunday forced the cancellation of the final round. It was then decided that the two of them would settle this year’s championship in a play-off on the par-four 18th. And with the weight of history resting on his young shoulders, Naidoo stood tall as he…