Innehållsförteckning för 2021-07-12 från Cape Argus

Sisonke Mlamla sisonke.mlamla@inl.co.za THEY have been coerced into bringing children back to normal schooling without consultation and empathy for the majority of schools, and find it impossible to function with the current Covid-19 restrictions and protocols, the Progressive Principals Association (PPA) says. The association whose members are principals from more than 200 schools in the province released a statement highlighting its concerns about the state of education in the province and the country. It said its biggest concern was the reaction of those entrusted with decision-making at the top echelons of education. The PPA said the education ministry had once again ignored the realities facing most learners and schools. “The learners at the more resourced schools will once again be advantaged. This will exacerbate the gulf between the affluent and…

Nomalanga Tshuma nomalanga.tshuma@inl.co.za A 60-YEAR-OLD woman is to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court today in connection with the death of city advocate Leon Nortier. Nortier 59, was shot and killed at his Table View home on Friday. Police said Table View officers responded to a shooting at a house in Heron Road at about 8.55pm. Spokesperson FC van Wyk said: “Police are investigating a murder case after a shooting incident on Friday, July 9, at 8.55pm, at premises in Heron Road, Table View. According to the information we have, a 59-year-old man was shot and fatally wounded in the incident. Police arrested a 60-year-old woman at the scene. She will appear in court once charged. Circumstances surrounding this fatal shooting incident are under investigation.” Meanwhile, in the…

Baldwin Ndaba baldwin.ndaba@inl.co.za JAILED former president Jacob Zuma faces another daunting challenge today to convince the Constitutional Court to rescind its decision to sentence him to 15 months’ imprisonment for contempt of the apex court. Zuma began his prison term on Wednesday last week following his failure to meet the Concourt deadline of July 4. He was sentenced to jail on June 29 and was given five days to hand himself over to the police and Correctional Services officials for his failure to obey a January Concourt order to appear before the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of state capture. Instead, Zuma made an urgent application in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court sitting in Pietermaritzburg for a stay in the execution of his arrest. The court ruled against him on Friday…

Alderman Ian Neilson | Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, City of Cape Town THE article “Outcry over electricity tariff increase” (Cape Argus, July 2) refers. The City of Cape Town does not budget for a profit on the sale of electricity. All income from the sale of electricity is used to provide services. The same goes for all services and rates income. Some 65% of the electricity tariff income is just to buy the bulk power from Eskom, and this now costs 17.8% more. The City has absorbed as much of this massive Eskom increase as possible, but it is simply impossible to absorb such a high increase when one’s operations are already very efficient from work done over the years to trim fat and enhance business operations.…

The School Gates Fiona Snyckers Modjaji Review: Beryl Eichenberger PUT your feet up, huddle under the blanket, grab a glass (or three) of wine – if of course you have stock – and settle back for a witty ride with the latest offering from award-winning author, Fiona Snyckers. The School Gates really opens the gate on what can happen at a private school where the “nouveau riche” moms rule the roost and call the shots. Because that’s what they are: middle-class, affluent families who believe they own the world they live in and that includes the school their beloved daughters attend. Whether the moms are helicopters, tigers, yummy mummies or simply desperate to join the coven, they are all here in their scary designer clothes, SUVs parked in front of…

Undemocratic grab of power invoked memories of the Duvalier dictatorship years Tamanisha John HAITIAN President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in the early hours of July 7 in a brazen attack on his private home outside Port-au-Prince, the capital. Moïse’s wife was also shot in the assault that killed her husband. The assailants have not been identified, and Haiti’s prime minister reports he is in charge of the country. Moïse’s assassination ended a four-and-a-half-year presidency that plunged the already troubled nation deeper into crisis. Jovenel Moïse, 53, was born in 1968, meaning that he grew up under the Duvalier dictatorship in Haiti. Like most Haitians today, he lived through turbulent times – not only dictators but also coups and widespread violence, including political assassinations. A businessman turned president,…

Khartoum: An explosion has killed four people in a Sudanese Red Sea port city, officials said yesterday, the latest in a series of violent incidents in the area. Tensions have been simmering in recent days in Port Sudan where anti-government protesters have reportedly blocked roads over rising insecurity. Local media have linked the unrest to rejection by the Hedendoa tribe of an October peace deal between rebel groups and the Sudanese government. Hadendoa, the largest subdivision of the Beja people in the region, fear their tribe will be under-represented in regional legislative and executive bodies under the Juba agreement. | AFP…

Matshelane Mamabolo KHAMA Billiat says he has “seen this movie before” and would love nothing better than a repeat. Delighted that he has recovered from a long-term injury in time for Kaizer Chiefs’ maiden Champions League final clash against Al Ahly, the Zimbabwean winger is eager to have a second winner’s medal dangling from his neck. Billiat won the continental title back in 2016 with Mamelodi Sundowns under the guidance of Pitso Mosimane, who will be on the opposite bench this time around as coach of the nine-time African champions from Egypt. Such is the influence of Mosimane on those that he works with that Billiat borrowed from the outspoken coach’s lexicon as he looked ahead to Saturday’s clash at the King Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca. “It’s a…

THE darling of South African mixed martial arts, Dricus du Plessis, earned himself a R1.1million performance bonus after an emphatic display at UFC 264 yesterday. Under the bright lights of the sold-out T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas - building up to the much-anticipated trilogy fight between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor - Dricus (16-2) reaffirmed his star-power and skill to the world when he beat the dangerous and higher-ranked Trevin Giles (14-3) in their preliminary middleweight bout. Following his short-notice UFC debut fight and first round knockout over Brazil’s Markus Perez late last year, Dricus finished American Trevin with a second round KO. Leading into the fight, Dricus acknowledged Trevin’s fast hands and explosive power and it is also well-documented that he has a good takedown defence and decent…

Zaahier Adams zaahier.adams@inl.co.za If there was any hint of complacency within the South African camp ahead of their one-day international series against Ireland, the Proteas’ first outing at a damp Malahide yesterday would surely have put those notions to bed now. There wasn't enough time to complete the first full ODI between these two countries on Irish soil since 2007 before the heavens opened once too many times, but Ireland certainly did enough to show that they will be no pushovers when the sun does indeed stay out long enough. Temba Bavuma won the toss and inserted the hosts and despite opting to rest Quinton de Kock and Anrich Nortje, the Proteas skipper would have expected his first-choice new ball pairing of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi to make the…

Staff Reporter THE National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) duty crew from Mykonos in Langebaan has been commended for its swift response in rescuing a Durbanville family of three swept out to sea while swimming at Calypso Beach in Langebaan. The Mykonos-based duty crew responded to the emergency at 6.30pm on Saturday after a father and his two children were swept up into a lagoon at Calypso Beach. NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said soon after the emergency call was activated the NSRI’s Mykonos deputy station commander, Nic Stevens, headed to the beach to assist the family. “Upon his arrival, Stevens found the family by the rocks to the side of Calypso Beach. He ran along rocks and waded into the water to reach the swimmers. “Stevens successfully rescued the…

Zintle Mahlati zintle.mahlati@inl.co.za THE deadlock over wage negotiations continues to plague the local and national government, as unions remain resolute in their rejection of offers made by employers. Cosatu-affiliated unions in the public sector, including the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) and the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), have come out strongly in rejecting a salary increase that the unions deem below inflation. The government’s offer includes a 1.5% pay progression. It has also offered staff between levels 1 and 12 salary increases between R1 200 and R1 700, and has indicated that the pay hike will be closer to R1 000 after tax deductions. Nehawu has formally filed at dispute resolution at the Public Service Bargaining Council. Popcru, which represents the police sector, has…

Sihle Mavuso sihle.mavuso@inl.co.za AMID growing sporadic and violent protests in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in the wake of the jailing of Jacob Zuma, the leaders of the SACP and ANC in KZN continue to express their “pain” regarding the matter. First to express his pain was Sihle Zikalala, the chairperson of the ANC in the province while addressing the virtual launch of the SACP KZN year-long centenary celebrations. Last week, when tensions boiled in the province, Zikalala was repeatedly quoted as saying President Cyril Ramaphosa should consider granting Zuma a presidential pardon. During the SACP virtual gathering, Zikalala reiterated that the jailing of Zuma has “inflicted pain” on some of them who cherish Zuma’s role in the Struggle against apartheid. “We converge here at a time where our province is…

Len Bennett | Ottawa, Canada THE Oslo Accords, foolishly entered into by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation, outlined areas to be controlled by the PLO, areas to be under Israeli control and areas to have joint security responsibility. This Bedouin encampment was installed in an Israeli-operated firing range. There are many other encampments in the region as well as fully serviced villages that Israel has built for the Bedouin, many of whom were forced out of Gaza when Hamas violently overthrew the PA. The Khirbet Humsah leaders agreed to set up in a more suitable location, but obviously, some hostile NGO convinced them, or paid them, to go for propaganda instead. If you want to help someone, do so without fanfare and by understanding their needs and…

Adiel Ismail | Mountview IT IS related in the Holy Qur’an that Prophet Moosa was accompanying Khidr on a journey in pursuit of knowledge. At the start of the journey, Khidr told Moosa that he would not display the required patience during this journey. And should he not display patience then they will have to part ways. During their journey, Khidr and Prophet Moosa met a boy who apparently had done nothing wrong at the time. Khidr killed the boy for no apparent reason in full view of Prophet Moosa.This action of Khidr in verse 74 in Surah Al-Kahf in the Holy Qur’an was so repulsive that it shocked Prophet Moosa to the core. Like any human being, Prophet Moosa could not but object to what appeared to…

THERE is a deep sadness in me as I write this. I am physically upset at the violence in KwaZulu-Natal. I find no satisfaction in the imprisonment of former president Zuma. I am not celebrating the lampooning of Dali Mpofu’s legal skills. A burning truck, a crushing legal victory or the insides of a prison wall does nothing to change the fundamental reality that we are in a crisis of mission in South Africa. While many laud the resilience of our constitutional structures, the current earthquake in our country cannot be ignored. Seismic pressures are threatening South African society. This earthquake is centred on our crisis of mission. What kind of society do we want to live in? What does a respectful, safe, just, equitable, inclusive and prosperous South Africa…

WHEN the trailblazing Kaizer Chiefs embark on their journey to Morocco this week, the weight of history will rest heavily on their shoulders as they ponder their date with destiny on Saturday. This weekend’s CAF Champions League final against Africa’s most decorated team, Al Ahly, in Casablanca may be a bridge too far for Chiefs. With an ordinary group of players, Chiefs have done extraordinary things to reach the championship round of the premier club competition in Africa. Looking back, one miracle after the other followed as they stunningly advanced from the group stages for the first time in history. Against all expectations, they then survived the do-or-die knockout phase. Despite this spectacular run of success, fans of African football can justifiably agree with former Egypt international striker Ahmed Hussein,…

One of Haiti’s most powerful gang leaders said at the weekend that his men would take to the streets to protest the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, threatening to pitch the impoverished Caribbean country deeper into chaos. Jimmy Cherizier, a former cop, known as Barbecue, who heads the so-called G9 federation of nine gangs, railed against police and opposition politicians whom he accused of colluding with the “stinking bourgeoisie” to “sacrifice” Moise last week. “It was a national and international conspiracy against the Haitian people,” he said in a video address. “We tell all bases to mobilise … and take to the streets for light to be shed on the president’s assassination.” Moise was gunned down before dawn on Wednesday last week at his Port-au-Prince home by what Haitian authorities…

Jerusalem: Israel said yesterday that it would punish Palestinians for the practice of paying militants for attacks by freezing tax payments it collects for the Palestinian Authority. The amount withheld would balance the amount the PA pays to Palestinian attackers and their families. The move, approved by the security cabinet of recently appointed Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, was likely to cause a crisis with the PA. The cabinet was told the PA transferred 597 million shekels (about R2.5 billion) “in indirect support of terrorism in 2020”,” Bennett’s office said. Israel collects around $190m a month in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestine then transfers the money to the PA. | AFP…

Mike Greenaway mike.greenaway@inl.co.za WHEN the Springboks resumed training yesterday afternoon in Johannesburg, it was Rassie Erasmus who had the whistle around his neck in a reprisal of his role of head coach at the last World Cup, and he will continue to do so until Jacques Nienaber concludes his self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19. Nienaber was one of a number of management and players who tested positive last week in a chaotic time for the Boks, giving rise to speculation that the tour of the British & Irish Lions might not even get as far as the Test series, which is not long away now (the first Test is on July 24). But the good news is that yesterday morning a large group of players were cleared to return…

Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama has withdrawn from The Open at Royal St George's after his recent Covid-19 diagnosis and inability to practice properly in time for the year's final major, the Japanese golfer said yesterday. Matsuyama has been self-isolating since testing positive during the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit on July 2. He is currently asymptomatic but subsequent PCR tests have continued to show positive results. "I'm feeling fine but haven't been able to practice in preparation for The Open," Matsuyama said in a statement released by the R&A ahead of the tournament, which begins on Thursday. "Combining that with the difficult travel to the UK, my team and I have decided it's best to withdraw to ensure everyone's safety. "I feel badly missing The Open and look forward to…

MICHAEL BAGRAIM | Cape Town FRIDAY’S edition – “GetTOD is SA’s top scorer in gig working fairness” – refers: Congratulations to GetTOD on their score. We all know that with 40% unemployment in South Africa today (more than 10 million people) we do need to start thinking about the gig economy and how we could get our youth an entrance into the job market. The reality is absolutely clear – if we carry on with business as usual we will continue losing jobs month to month. We do have to expand the gig economy even if their jobs are not ideal or decent jobs. The alternative is that a person will earn nothing.…

During more than half a century in the newspaper industry I grew to believe that the advertising in the media was there to pay the costs of gathering, publishing or broadcasting the news. Journalists and photographers must be paid, paper and ink bought, transport and delivery organised, all at considerable cost. So (I believed) we sell advertising space to pay the bills. In recent times, however, I’m beginning to wonder whether the advertisements may be there mainly to draw readers’ attention away from the horribly depressing contents of the actual news. You run your eyes over the news stories and think: “Oh dear, three more murders, more taxi violence, polluted lakes, corrupt officials, more load shedding, OH BOY! POST TOASTIES!” And everything seems a little better. Television news bulletins…

Christine. A tale of love, lies and liberation Eva Mazza Melinda Ferguson Review: Barbara Spaanderman CHRISTINE is delightful. As a character you cannot help but enjoy her falling over her words as she rushes to tell you, the reader and her confidant, everything that has happened in her very life. Clever, intelligent, born into a family with its fair share of idiosyncrasies, she chooses to become a hairdresser and not follow an academic career. It is the kind of occupation which goes with you wherever you go, so there is always an opportunity of making money, especially if you travel. The novel opens with the line, “Our marriage wasn't consummated on our wedding night. Yes, I was a virgin. But not because I’m religious.” She was young, in love, desperate…

Anna Majavu A LARGE group of workers, taxi drivers and unemployed people in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape have come together to form a new organisation that will contest the upcoming local government elections. Known as the Makana Citizens Front, it will put forward candidates in Makhanda and the small towns of Riebeek East and Alicedale. The front, whose formation follows the three-day shutdown of Makhanda in May, is being steered as an organisation by meetings held every Sunday afternoon in Soccer City, also known as Fingo Square, in Fingo township. The square meetings decide the actions for the following week – for example, the most recent one resolved that 50 unemployed people would hold a socially distanced march on the municipality the next day, demanding that all councillors…

Srebrenica: The remains of 19 more victims of the Srebrenica massacre of Bosnian Muslims were laid to rest yesterday during a commemoration marking 26 years since the genocide that still deeply divides the Balkan nation. They joined the remains of 6 671 Srebrenica victims buried at the cemetery so far, while another 236 people have been laid to rest elsewhere. Serb forces killed more than 8 000 Muslim men and boys after they captured the ill-fated town on July 11, 1995, in the final stages of Bosnia’s 1990s war. It marked the worst atrocity committed on European soil since World War II. A UN court sentenced Bosnian Serb wartime political leader Radovan Karadzic and his army chief Ratko Mladic, to life in prison, notably for Srebrenica. |…

Los Angeles: Hot weather alerts are in place for more than 30 million people across the western US after the region’s second heat wave in weeks brought another round of record-equalling high temperatures. Sweltering conditions have hit much of the Pacific seaboard and as far inland as the western edge of the Rocky Mountains at the weekend, with forecasters warning of more to come. Las Vegas matched its record of 47.2°C – a temperature recorded there in 1942 and three other times since 2005. | AFP…

When Lionel Messi, already a regular starter for the mighty Barcelona, made his international bow in 2005 as an 18-year-old for a powerful Argentina side he surely never imagined it would take him 16 years to finally claim a trophy with his country. But the six-time Ballon d'Or winner had to suffer numerous disappointments, including losing four finals, before leading his country to a 1-0 victory over "eternal rivals" Brazil in the Copa America final at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana stadium on Saturday. Despite a glittering career that has seen him help Barcelona to win the Champions League four times, La Liga 10 times and the Copa Del Rey seven times, Messi's hopes of matching that with international success were repeatedly frustrated. In truth he wasn't as inspired in…

Matshelane Mamabolo FOR someone who was the butt of many Mamelodi Sundowns fans’ jokes five years ago, Ramahlwe Mphahlele could well have the last laugh next weekend. Taunted for having made “a bad move” back in 2016 when he left a Sundowns outfit he captained to join Kaizer Chiefs, the right-back would no doubt have felt a tinge of regret at his decision. After all, just after he’d traded Chloorkop for Naturena, he watched from a distance as the Brazilians captured the CAF Champions League title to become only the second South African team after Orlando Pirates to be crowned African champions. As if that was not bad enough, the club he had just joined and success suddenly resembled the parallel lines of the railway – seemingly destined never…