Innehållsförteckning för 2022-06-15 från Cape Argus

Many people left destitute as shacks washed away RELENTLESS heavy rains in the Cape resulted in massive flooding in both formal and informal settlements, townships and suburbs, leaving many homes and goods drenched while others were left homeless. Some health facilities were also temporarily closed and patients were forced to seek help at nearby clinics. The Durbanville community health centre and Bishop Lavis Day Hospital were closed due to flooding, while other clinics, including Parow clinic, offered limited services and others reported minor leaks. The City’s Disaster Management said reports of affected informal settlements included Delft, Khayelitsha, Nomzamo, Crossroads, Philippi, Gugulethu, and Nyanga while properties were damaged due to flooded roadways and blocked drains were reported. Bonteheuwel ward councillor Angus McKenzie said in the area and surrounding areas flooding was…

FAMILY of the woman allegedly killed by a policeman from Piketberg are fed up with the numerous delays that have plagued the suspect’s bail application in the Piketberg Magistrate’s Court. Constable Richard Smit is charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Natasha Booise, in January and his case was again postponed – this time to July 4 – for closing arguments. The bail verdict is expected on July 19. Strandfontein Community Policing Forum (CPF) chairperson Sandy Schutter, who is a State witness, was cross-examined by Smit’s legal representative William Booth. Schutter is testifying against the release of Smit to Strandfontein, an alternative address that he provided should he get bail. Smit is charged with the murder of Booise, two counts of attempted murder, discharging a firearm in a built-up area,…

Independent Media has been recognised at the International News Media Association (INMA) for its prowess in how to grow advertising sales. The annual INMA competition, which has been rewarding media excellence since 1937, evaluates news media companies across three segments: national brands, regional brands and media groups. According to INMA’s website, the 2022 Global Media Awards brought in a record 854 entries from 252 news media brands in 46 countries. Independent Media’s 2022 INMA entry, a campaign for Chicken Licken’s introduction of a new product, “SoulBites – Nuggets of Wisdom”, won third place for best use of print, as well as third place for the most creative use of advertising formats. It ultimately won the top slot for the regional best idea to grow advertising sales. Earl J Wilkinson, executive…

The State Capture Commission of Inquiry is today expected to deliver its final report with parts of the focus on the State Security Agency. This is expected to highlight serious issues at the agency, as its former spy boss Arthur Fraser pursues charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa. Fraser on June 1 asked police to investigate allegations that Ramaphosa had not reported the theft of $4 million (about R64m) from his Phala Phala farm, and had sought to cover up the matter. As the fallout over the scandal grows, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula turned down a request by the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and the African Transformation Movement (ATM) to take action against Ramaphosa. The DA and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba have called on the SA Revenue Service (Sars)…

Cape Town-based advisory group Meridian Economics recently published two groundbreaking reports “Resolving the Power Crisis”, “Part A” and “Part B”, which analysed the energy sector and outlined a game plan to end load shedding by early 2024, but it requires substantial political will. The report showed that load shedding was solvable and would have virtually been eliminated in 2021 if there been more renewables on the system. It was sent to key stakeholders in the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, National Treasury, the Presidency, Eskom, Cosatu, the Presidential Climate Commission and National Energy Regulator of South Africa, among others, for their consideration. “We recommend that a dedicated well-resourced power crisis implementation unit be established inside the Presidency to drive and monitor the implementation of the ‘game plan’ laid out,”…

Every era, every nation, every civilisation shares one commonality. None of the adherents, citizens, upholders or even distractors were born as adults. They start out as mewling babies in serious need of adult intervention for their survival. Then they grow into responsible citizens, but not before traversing, in various ways, the teenage years, which stretch roughly from 13 to 30. These are the Youth. They are the young guns. They are the Davids who go out and take on Goliaths. They are the ones who aren’t afraid to defy and criticise and ask serious questions. They lack life experience, and so they are fearless. They do not bow to dubious paradigms, which is why they can be creative and destructive at the same time. There are thinkers more informed and…

CONTRARY to popular belief since the live televising of the Oscar Pistorius criminal trial, television cameras inside the courtroom are an aberration. Televising criminal trials can have undesirable negative consequences that many won’t admit because they enjoy the front seat live-streaming in their sitting rooms as if they are at the cinema or bar with snacks and a drink of their choice. Unrestrained television coverage of criminal trials can result in justice being skewed because of courtroom stunts and gimmicks being pulled by lawyers on both sides. On the basis of what the watching public see on television they then form stereotypes about judges, prosecutors and defence lawyers. Judges, prosecutors and lawyers can easily become the subject of mockery, scorn and ridicule by their peers and the general public. Even…

NEW DELHI: Air pollution can shorten lives by almost 10 years in Delhi, the world’s most polluted city, a report by a US research group says. The Air Quality Life Index by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago notes that about 510 million people who live in northern India, nearly 40% of India’s population, are “on track” to lose 7.6 years of their lives on average, given the current pollution levels. The study said the average Indian life expectancy was shortened by five years at current air quality levels. Bad air kills millions in India every year. | IANS…

When Pitso Mosimane patrolled the Al Ahly technical area during the final of the Caf Champions League against Wydad AC in Casablanca at the end of last month, no one would have imagined that it would be the last time the South African coach would be in charge of the Egyptian giants. On Sunday, Al Ahly were playing against second division outfit Al Masry Salloum in the Egyptian Cup, and Mosimane was nowhere to be seen. A depleted Al Ahly side won 1-0, and no official explanation was forthcoming from the club about their coach’s whereabouts. Sadly, Mosimane, who made history on several fronts during his 20-month stint with the Cairo-based club, will never be seen in the Red Devils’ technical area again. It will come as music to the…

Real Madrid’s new signing Aurelien Tchouameni said Kylian Mbappe asked if he would sign for Paris Saint-Germain, as the 22-year-old was unveiled at Real’s training ground yesterday. Real won the race to sign Tchouameni, one of the world’s most highly-rated midfielders, from Monaco in a deal worth around €100million (about R1.7billion). His arrival comes after Mbappe rejected Real to sign a three-year contract at PSG. Real have also signed Antonio Rudiger during the close season, the defender joining from Chelsea on a free transfer. “Kylian decided to stay at PSG and he already knew I was going to leave Monaco at the end of the season,” Tchouameni said, after being introduced by Real president Florentino Perez. “He wanted to know if I would go to PSG, but I told him…

At last! To all Springbok fans out there, get set for a new-look game plan from the Wwrld champions in the lead-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup. No more box-kicks, aimless kicks downfield, Faf de Klerk taking his time to clear the breakdowns … Okay, okay, perhaps I’m getting carried away a bit. But there’s no doubt that the Bok squad Jacques Nienaber (and Rassie Erasmus) selected for the 2022 international season has some key elements that indicate the Boks are going to expand their horizons on the attacking front this year. Yes, the ‘old guard’ are still there, and social media pundits are still frustrated by the presence of Willie le Roux, while some are still questioning the presence of Jesse Kriel, Jasper Wiese, Rynhardt Elstadt, Herschel Jantjies…

The Labour Department and its entities are doing their annual report back to the portfolio committee of employment and labour. I attended the meeting virtually on the Zoom platform and was allowed to listen to the report and ask questions of the director- general and the commissioners of the various departments. The Unemployment Insurance Fund, through Commissioner Teboho Maruping, reported sterling performance and superb results. I was not of the same opinion. I pointed out to the commissioner that I get dozens of queries, complaints and requests daily. There are individuals who haven’t been paid their Ters money, stretching back almost two years, and there are others who are tearing their hair out as maternity benefits never materialised. Above that, the department seems to be broken as no one responds…

SEVERAL Youth Day events are expected to bring to the fore the spirited activism and solidarity that marked June 16, 1976. Fight Inequality Alliance SA national co-ordinator Wafaa Abdurahman said a number of activist groups are involved in the event – to highlight the struggle against apartheid and its unjust laws – at Livingstone High School in Claremont. Organisers say building solidarity across borders remains an integral part of the struggle for liberation, with the event drawing links to the struggles of Palestinian youth. “This is an important event at a time where youth unemployment in SA is at its highest. Like the youth of '76 felt that they had to take up the baton and fight for their own liberation, it’s time for the current youth to take…

RECENT studies conducted internationally on more than 800 000 children, have shown that depression and anxiety among children and young teenagers has increased by more than 25% since the start of Covid-19, signalling a global health crisis in the youth. Anxiety is a normal human emotion everyone experiences at one time or another. Anxiety disorders, however, are different. The distress they cause is so great that it interferes with a person’s ability to lead a normal life. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are seeing many more clients with anxiety and anxiety disorders; the most alarming, however, are children as young as eight years. For people with anxiety disorders, worry and fear are constant and overwhelming, and can be crippling. Anxiety has no logic, you can tell yourself…

As the DA caucus in the National Assembly was witnessing the EFF closing down the democratic space in the national Parliament last week, their counterparts in the Western Cape were doing the exact same in the province’s legislature. Last Thursday morning, judging it a matter of grave import, the leader of opposition in Western Cape Legislature, Cameron Dugmore, wrote to the speaker of the House to debate a matter of urgent public importance. In line with the standing rules of the legislature, Dugmore requested a debate on the state of dysfunction within the Western Cape legislature as a result of the internal DA divisions and its impact on service delivery in the province. Predictably, as the speaker has consistently denied ANC’s requests for debates on matters of public importance since…

New Delhi: India must immediately end a “vicious” crackdown on Muslims who took to the streets to protest against a ruling party official’s remarks about the Prophet Muhammad, Amnesty International said yesterday. Two demonstrators were killed and hundreds arrested last week in nationwide protests over the remarks, which embroiled India in a diplomatic furore and caused widespread outrage in the Islamic world. Footage of bulldozers demolishing homes of those arrested or identified as protesters has since been spread on social media. | AFP…

Bulawayo: A court in Zimbabwe has found Jeffrey Moyo, a New York Times freelance reporter, guilty of violating immigration laws for allegedly helping foreign journalists gain false accreditation. He was handed a fine of 200 000 Zimbabwean dollars (around R9 631 or $600) and a two-year suspended sentence. Moyo, 37, was arrested in May last year for providing fake media accreditation cards to South Africa-based Times reporters Christina Goldbaum and Joao Silva to enter Zimbabwe for an assignment. “It is clear the accused may have connived” to fabricate accreditation cards, said the magistrate. | AFP…

PRICELESS! That is the word Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber used when asked about the significance of Saturday’s all-South African United Rugby Championship (URC) final in Cape Town, even if it means he is not going to have a great deal of time with a full squad to prepare for the first Test against Wales on July 2 in Pretoria. While Nienaber awaits a host of Stormers and Bulls players, he says he has had to be inventive at the ongoing Springbok preparation camp and has had to use some Pretoria club players for the opposition because even the Blue Bulls Currie Cup team is busy preparing for a semi-final. When asked if he would prefer to have a full squad currently training, Nienaber said: “I would rather have it this…

Swallows FC and the University of Pretoria are bracing themselves for a colossal ‘winner takes all’ clash in their Premier Soccer League (PSL) promotion-relegation play-off match today at the Lucas Moripe Stadium (3pm kick-off). The two Gauteng-based outfits have proven too much for Cape Town All Stars, who were also involved in the play-offs, and are both in position to earn a spot in the DStv Premiership next season. The Dube Birds have it all to do in this encounter after a disappointing defeat to All Stars. They trail AmaTuks by a single point, meaning they must beat Tuks to retain their top-flight status. Perhaps the most interesting factor is how Swallows head coach Dylan Kerr plans to address his side’s defensive frailties. The Soweto-based club forfeited a lead and…

Not only has Hannah Rankin honed her skills and refined her talents as a boxer and a musician, but she also uses her time and knowledge to help those in need. Rankin, who recently beat Alejandra Ayala to retain her WBA and IBO super welterweight titles, visited South Africa once again to launch the BoxWise programme. The London-based BoxWise non-profit – working along with the PFC gym in Bothasig -– ran a pilot project with organisations in Cape Town that are home to girls and ladies who were neglected, abused or at risk. The project included participants from Rainbow House, Home to Home, Micah House, St Anne’s Home and Wolraad Woltemade Primary School. “It is a 10-week course,” said BoxWise co-founder Rick Odgen, who helped start the project in 2020…

‘Gangsters’ in court for murder of 3-year-old Three alleged gang members appeared in the Western Cape High Court in connection with the murder of a 3-year-old in Heather Park, Eerste River, and the subsequent murder and attempted murders of witnesses. Oswin Conradie, Heinrich Louis and Irwin Snel appeared for a pre-trial hearing where the State requested the three be charged together under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), as they are accused of committing the offences in the furtherance of criminal activity of the “Beach Cats” gang. Conradie had been arrested in August 2020 and charged with the murder of 3-year-old Marilyn Adams, who was killed during a gang-related shooting on July 28, 2020. Marilyn had been sitting outside with her parents when gunmen opened fire at their…

Action Society has reached out to the provincial government to join forces with it in its fight to tackle the ongoing gang violence on the Cape Flats. The organisation’s plea to the provincial government follows the death of another youngster on the Cape Flats, this time in Storms River Way, Manenberg. The fatal shooting, which is being investigated by police, took place over the weekend when an unknown gunman opened fire on the teen in an open street, fatally wounding him before fleeing in a silver Mercedes-Benz. Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk said a report of the incident indicates that the suspect initially fired several shots at the 17-year-old, who ran for cover. However, the guman followed him and shot directly at him, killing him. “A murder case was opened…

A DNA testing backlog has led to delays with the burial of Tshepang Pitse, who was murdered and mutilated by her husband in Soweto last year. The Protea Magistrate’s Court yesterday heard that the murder trial of accused Flavio Hlabangwane had been blocked by numerous delays because of a backlog in DNA tests by forensics. Not all of Tshepang’s body parts have been found, including the upper body. Hlabangwane had earlier agreed to show police where his wife’s body parts were, but only the head and some limbs were found. It is understood that police were still running tests on the body parts. Hlabangwane’s lawyer had complained about the case dragging on. This led to the prosecution explaining that the case had been postponed for several reasons, including for Hlabangwane’s…

Ahead of the highly anticipated United Rugby Championships (URC) finals this weekend, the City and Province continue to plead with President Cyril Ramaphosa to lift all existing Covid-19 restrictions. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis called on Ramaphosa to lift the remaining event capacity restrictions ahead of the URC finals between the Stormers and Bulls at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. “I have previously written to President Ramaphosa without success, and I’ve written to him again asking for these limits to be lifted urgently this week. I invite the president to attend the game between the Stormers and Bulls himself, with a 55 000 capacity crowd,” Hill-Lewis said. The City is already preparing for greater numbers by arranging additional MyCiti bus routes. Despite previous failed attempts, Premier Alan Winde called for an…

As I write this piece, the ANC is in the middle of a war that we see every five years in the country before the national elective conference of the liberation movement, which decides its national leadership and subsequently, the leadership of the country itself. This is, though, disguised as a fight against corruption in the government and for obvious reasons the whole nation is catching stray bullets in a war they have nothing or so little to do with. To better put this into context I will need to briefly go back to the history of our country pre-1994 and while doing that focus on the ANC and its politics during this period I have mentioned. I will use what those who participated in the apartheid Struggle continue to…

QUITO: Ecuadorean police said yesterday that they had detained the leader of the country’s largest indigenous organisation, Leonidas Iza, after he led blockades on several highways and other allegedly violent acts in protest against the government’s economic policies. Indigenous groups began on Monday what they said will be an ongoing protest to demand President Guillermo Lasso freeze the price of gasoline, declare a moratorium on small farmers’ bank debts and limit oil and mining expansion. Protesters burned a patrol car and attacked police officers. | Reuters…

The Rwandan government yesterday doubled down on its defence of a controversial deal to take in asylum seekers being expelled from Britain, saying it was ready to welcome thousands of migrants. Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo described the agreement, which had been opposed by the UN and rights groups, as an innovative programme. “For us it is about being part of a solution to a broken global asylum system. We are doing this for the right reasons,” Makolo said. A plane carrying a first batch of asylum seekers being deported from Britain to Rwanda was due to leave yesterday despite court challenges to the UK’s policy. The British government warned that anyone who avoided it through last-minute legal challenges would be put on a later plane despite an outcry from critics.…

Bafana Bafana will take on neighbours Mozambique in the quarter-finals of the Cosafa Cup, which starts in Durban on July 5. The draw was held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban yesterday. Bafana advanced straight to the quarter-finals of the Southern African tournament by virtue of being one of the highest ranked sides at the event. In the other quarter-finals Madagascar play Namibia, while Zambia face the winners of Group A and guest nation Senegal play the winners of Group B. The tournament will serve as a development platform for potential future Bafana stars to showcase their talent and develop their skills as they look to take their game to a higher level. David Notoane will lead South Africa at the event but there is little doubt that the…