Innehållsförteckning för 2022-06-21 från Cape Argus

Operating 24-7 in South Africa, the logistics sector is one of the lifelines of the country’s economy. Budding entrepreneur Siphokazi Matsha recognised this, and with a BTech degree in logistics management to back her up, she started her company, Go Girl Logistics, in 2018. With the aim of empowering more women, Matsha’s business, a full-service logistics and courier company, provides a selection of specialised services to a diverse clientele, made up of individuals and organisations. Matsha told Business Report: “Go Girl Logistics is a 100 percent black female-owned company, and its mandate is to empower women within the sector through the hiring, training and leadership of women. This is extremely important because women have previously been stereotyped as belonging to administrative roles or home executives. “There is still a huge…

Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC Reagen Allen has condemned the alleged vigilante attack by Kraaifontein residents, who stoned a man to death for alleged robbery incidents in the area. The incident took place at the weekend – on the corners of First Avenue and Lincoln Road, in Belmont Park, Kraaifontein. Police have since registered the incident for investigation, actively searching for persons involved in the violent killing. Police spokesperson Andrè Traut said: “Kraaifontein police are investigating circumstances surrounding the death of a 37-year-old man, following the discovery of a body on the corners of Lincoln Road and 1st Avenue in Belmont Park Kraaifontein.” “It is suspected that the victim was beaten to death by community members who accused him of a crime. No arrests have been made yet,” Traut…

THE Netball World Cup is scheduled to take place in Cape Town from July 28 to August 6, next year, and the provincial Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport is ensuring that all preparations are running smoothly. This is the first time the tournament will be held on the African continent. Sixty games are planned, which will be held at the CTICC. Member of the provincial Parliament and spokesperson for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Gillion Bosman, said the province used the event to repair netball courts across the province. “The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport engaged with the netball fraternity, who identified netball courts in the districts across the province that could be repaired, built or completed. The department has supported municipalities across the province in upgrading or building…

Members of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) on Friday picketed the Huis Spitskop old age home in Murraysburg demanding immediate changes in the way the home was managed. They said that the home’s current board had not held an AGM for more than three years and that this had adversely affected the management of the home. They said that its staff members were being poorly paid as well as mistreated. The ANCYL handed over a memorandum in which they demanded that the home reinstate workers who have been suspended without pay since December 2021 and that provision be made. Among other issues cited in the memorandum were that standards of care for the residents of the home were below par with residents making do with poor quality threadbare blankets. Standing…

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has pleaded with all those committing unlawful acts to cease with immediate effect. “Let’s work together to rebuild the Freight and Logistics industry, which has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. “We can barely afford another disruption to our economy,” he said. The press briefing by the Road and Freight Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), by Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi, Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Mbalula, Police Minister Bheki Cele and representatives of the truck industry took place in Pretoria yesterday. The IMC was formed with the ministries to deal with escalating road blockages and protests by disgruntled South African truck drivers because it is felt that these protests and blockages have adverse impacts on mobility, scare foreign investors and, most importantly, have a…

FORMER ANC member and Limpopo government spokesperson Sello Lediga has joined ActionSA as its provincial chairperson. The news was announced by party president Herman Mashaba yesterday. Lediga is no stranger to provincial politics. In 1990, with the unbanning of the ANC, he became a party member and served on the executive of his branch in Nchabeleng, Sekhukhune. In 2013, he was appointed by the ANC top 6 as part of a task team to administer the province after Cassel Mathale’s provincial executive was placed under administration. He was appointed provincial spokesperson. Speaking about his plans for ActionSA in the province yesterday, Lediga said he would contribute to the party’s developing ideology and policy framework. “The focus will be on disillusioned voters who have lost hope. With the Limpopo chairman…

As AN AGEING man past his prime who spent half his life under apartheid and half under democracy, I often reflect on what I have been told to believe and try to reconcile that with the reality. Life is not perfect and is often filled with deception, but that is what it is and so we can only pray that the future is better and we have the tools, skills and ability to navigate into the future. What am I talking about? Three decades ago, while I was studying political science and sociology at university, everything wrong was blamed on apartheid and general white arrogance and its side-kick, Western capitalism. Ironically, today, our “so-called” communist and socialist leaders drive imported vehicles and drink champagne while they fly from Switzerland to…

Now I genuinely believe that South Africa as both a country and society needs some counselling from the effects of apartheid. Maybe something like a broad-based Truth and Reconciliation Commission for blacks, whites, Indians, Chinese, coloureds and San/Khoi needs to happen for everyone, beginning with the government and media officials because that is where the trauma manifests the most. It is clear South Africa is not free; indeed, judging by the abnormal way it deals with issues. Take for instance the now monochromatic GBV narratives and misleading projections about women empowerment in government programmes, which are now only useful for diverting attention from political scandals and the blackmailing and accusing of black males. Even Father’s Day is replaced with GBV marches and campaigns as well as the celebration of “superwomen”,…

Walking around Cape Town’s tourist hot spots one can sense a buzz in the air from Greenmarket Square in the centre of town to the V&A Waterfront and Mariners Wharf in Hout Bay. Two years after we were placed on Covid-19 lockdown, the tourists are back and they are enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of the Mother City. All the indicators point to South Africa’s tourism sector recovering from a Covid-induced slump. Several airlines have added more flights to South Africa, with German airline Lufthansa recently adding a direct flight between Frankfurt and the Kruger National Park. Recently StatSA showed that hotel bookings are up, with an 88% increase in income across the accommodation sector in March this year compared to last year. Anecdotal evidence also shows that more…

KABUL: The UN mission to Afghanistan reported that scores of people were killed and wounded in an attack on a busy market in eastern Nangarhar province yesterday, although Taliban officials said they could only confirm 10 people had been wounded. Quriashi Badloun, the Taliban administration’s head of media and information for Nangarhar, confirmed a blast had taken place but said the target wasn’t clear. An attack claimed by Islamic State on a Sikh temple in the Afghan capital Kabul at the weekend killed at least two people and injured seven, officials said. | Reuters…

LEWIS Hamilton was delighted to bring his Mercedes home on the podium in Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix in only the second time this season the seven-time champion has made the rostrum. After taking a wrong set-up direction in Friday practice, Hamilton turned things around in qualifying to secure fourth on the grid. He then went one better in the race, finishing third behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz - with a level of pace that reassured him there’s more performance to be unlocked from the W13. “It feels great to be in amongst the battle,” said Hamilton, who beat teammate George Russell for only the second time this season. “For a second I was kind of keeping up with these guys. It’s given me and the team…

Delft has become the latest local community to experience a mass shooting as the violent scourge by unknown gunmen continues to wreak havoc across Cape Town. In the latest incident, two men sustained fatal injuries following a mass shooting in Freedom Farm, Delft, on Sunday afternoon. The incident also left two other men badly wounded. Police say they have begun probing the mass shooting, searching for the unknown suspects who fled the scene. Police spokesperson Andrè Traut said: “On Sunday, at around 4.50pm, two men, aged 19 and 23, were shot and killed, while two other males, aged 16 and 28, were wounded when unknown suspects opened fire at them at Stellenbosch Arterial, in Freedom Farm, Delft. “Police are investigating the circumstances pertaining to the incident, and no arrests have…

June is International Pride Month, and there has never been a better time or opportunity for the government to demonstrate its commitment to protecting the rights of all people, particularly vulnerable and minority groups like the LGBTQI+ community. The DA is writing to Police Minister Bheki Cele to enquire about what is being done in South Africa to protect LGBTQI+ visitors from homophobic attacks and to question about safety procedures in place, as this will persuade people that it is safe to choose South Africa as a tourist destination. According to Asher & Lyric’s LGBTQI+ Travel Safety Index, 203 nations were ranked based on their LGBTQ+ rights. In terms of legal rights, anti-discrimination laws, and adoption recognition, South Africa was placed 21st in Africa for LGBTQI+ visitors and tourists. On…

The second of three columns is dedicated to answering this question posed to me about the homeless. I decided to let homeless people provide us all with the answers, despite never having been aware of the question. Those mentioned and quoted in this column have, over the past two years, shared their stories with me as part of my commitment to being a voice for the homeless whose voices are seldom heard. It also shows us that homeless people never forget and few ever forgive those responsible for their becoming homeless, even if that turns out to be themselves. Renee’s parents were unable to care for her. Renee entered the foster system at age 6. A sexual assault in her early teens sent her spiralling, and she began dealing with…

South African women and girls are under attack. They experience gender-based violence almost any day, any time and everywhere. This could be in their homes, in the workplace and even in public transport stations such as taxi ranks as they commute to and from home for social or economic purposes. This country needs everyday activism for the protection of women and girls against all forms of gender-based violence perpetrated by men, both in private and public spaces. The veil of gender-based violence experienced by women and girls in their private spaces and at the hands of men intimately known to them has finally been raised, thanks to campaigns such as the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and other similar public awareness campaigns towards ending gender-based violence nationally…

DHAKA: Authorities in flood-hit Bangladesh and north-eastern India scrambled yesterday to provide aid to more than 9 million people marooned after the heaviest rains in years killed at least 54 people across both South Asian nations. Monsoon rains in Bangladesh have triggered flooding in the north-eastern Sylhet, leaving a quarter of its 15 million population stranded. About 300 000 people have been moved to shelters but more than 4 million people are stranded. In the Indian state of Assam, floods have started receding. But 4.5 million people have fled their homes, with 220 000 in shelters. | Reuters…

TOKYO: A Japanese court has ruled a ban on same-sex marriage was not unconstitutional, dealing a setback to LGBTQ rights activists in the only Group of Seven nation that does not allow people of the same gender to marry. The ruling follows a court in the city of Sapporo in March 2021 ordering that not allowing same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Three same-sex couples – two male, one female – had filed the case in a district court in Osaka. Besides yesterday rejecting their claim that being unable to marry was unconstitutional, their demand for 1 million yen (R118 667) in damages for each couple was also rejected. | Reuters…

Traffic chief Farrel Payne, who has been in and out of court on allegations of sexual assault levelled against him by a colleague, has entered a plea of not guilty in the Cape Town Regional Court. He faces five counts of sexual assault, crimen injuria, and alleged sexual harassment of a colleague between July 2018 and September 2020. The woman, who was barred from speaking to the media about the matter on a previous occasion, said she was forced to take incapacity leave and frequented wellness clinics due to stress since making it public. Payne entered a plea of not guilty, and provided the court with a plea explanation which gave his version, while the woman testified in camera. In his explanation, Payne made numerous allegations against the woman, and…

THE constitutional right to access health care is not a reality for many, with health system reforms urgently needed to see this realised. The resounding call was made during the virtual launch yesterday of a new research report by Concentric Alliance and Section27 titled Health Reform: Perspectives and Proposals. During 2020, Concentric Alliance and Section27 interviewed 33 representatives from the national and provincial health departments, health regulators, medical schemes, healthcare workers, trade unions, private hospital groups, public health academia, health civil society, the pharmaceutical industry and the government. The report found that health system reform efforts appear to have stagnated, with dire consequences. Section27’s head of health, Sasha Stevenson, said: “We have real stagnation of health reform efforts while we’re waiting on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill. “The NHI…

Despite the City’s master plan to address water supply upgrades, expansions, maintenance and repairs, faulty infrastructure and pipe leaks persisted in Cape Town after a leak on the 150mm diameter pipeline in Browns Farm that affected a section of Philippi along the railway line. Water and Sanitation Mayco member Zahid Badroodien said the Hillstar maintenance team began repairs on Friday and spent the entire weekend trying to restore the leaking pipe, but the team faced numerous challenges that prolonged the repair process. “There was a leak on a UPVC clamp on the pipeline, which was repaired and replaced. The crew had to attend to the situation under very trying conditions as the leak occurred between informal structures which needed to be moved so that work could take place,” Badroodien said.…

More than two years after the Covid-19 lockdown in March, 2020, businesses that have managed to stay afloat are still trying to get back to operating the way they did. The inaugural SMME (small, medium and micro-enterprises) Summit, hosted by Cycle of Life, brings small business owners, government leaders, and experts in business development and planning together to exchange ideas and find ways to deal with the challenges facing the SMME sector. The director of the summit, Rozario Brown, said: “The key objective of the summit is to bring together small business owners and potential business owners to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on their businesses, share our experiences, and discuss ways and means of rebuilding our businesses better, in a post-Covid environment.” Brown said the idea for the summit…

Your Friday June 17 edition Cape Argus “Rickshaw Pullers are honoured,” refers: It’s amazing to read about the rickshaw pullers being honoured. This takes me back to about 55 years ago when I was treated to a trip on a rickshaw by my parents. I still recall the excitement and the very vigorous bumpy ride. To this day, it brings a smile to my face. I recall my parents telling me that the rickshaw pullers are the most powerful men in the world, and they have to do a very difficult job for very little money. The trip to Durban was a major highlight of my life, and I am sure for many, many others. I am pleased to see that they are getting some recognition which they deserve.…

Last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa took steps to block any attempt to reveal CR17 contributions. Today, he is fighting for his political survival, in light of the burglary at his farm and his violation of the crucial steps that he should have taken to alert law enforcement about the theft of $4 million (about R64m). Ramaphosa is almost guilty of pervasive gross moral dereliction of duty. It was the executive chairperson of the Youth Business Chain, Michael Mayalo, who said: “A crime, like an onion, has many layers to it.” It is tragic and sad that virtually all our leaders over the past 20 years are impervious to shame. What is alarming is that our crop of leaders are a symptom of a societal problem. They are a reflection, a…

Increases in the domestic price of fuel are big news in South Africa, with the price of petrol, diesel and paraffin reaching new highs. The underlying reason for the price increases is movements in the international price of crude oil. The acceleration in the international price of crude oil is linked to the Russian war in Ukraine. The expectation is that the crude oil price will remain at an elevated level for the duration of the war. Internationally, crude oil is priced in US dollar per barrel. Recently the price exceeded $120 per barrel (about R1 900). The crude oil price is determined by international forces of supply and demand. The international oil price pressure leads to a higher landed cost for fuel in South Africa. The landed cost in…

BRUSSELS: Belgium handed over a tooth of murdered Congolese independence hero Patrice Lumumba to his family during a ceremony in Brussels yesterday. Lumumba became the DRC’s first democratically elected prime minister after independence from Belgium in 1960, but alarmed the West with overtures to Moscow at the height of the Cold War. His government lasted three months before he was assassinated. His supporters accuse the CIA of having ordered his killing. The tooth was reportedly taken from Lumumba’s body by a Belgian policeman. | Reuters…

As the world commemorated the annual World Refugee Day yesterday, the UN agency here warned that the refugee crisis in Uganda was worsening amid increased conflicts in the region and reduced international financing of refugee affairs. UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Uganda Joel Boutroue described the situation as dire, according to a tweet by his office yesterday. “We may not be in a position anymore to finance the 4 000 plus teachers and 3 000-4 000 health workers we are paying. That is the situation,” Boutroue said. The UNHCR office here says only 8% of the $48 million (about R768m)emergency appeal for the refugee response in Uganda has been received. Humanitarian agencies in the East African country in April made the appeal to cover a three-month initial…

FIVE months ago, the Stormers players were worried about whether they would get paid, and the bookies’ tip of having an 88 to 1 chance of winning the United Rugby Championship (URC) crown seemed entirely justified. It was around about then that something special happened for the Stormers. They were playing against the Sharks in Durban and for most of the game they looked thoroughly defeated. But by the end of an extraordinary final quarter, the Cape team had fought back magnificently to draw the game. Five months after that dramatic draw, the Stormers’ record for this year is: played 16, won 15, including, of course, last weekend’s final against the Buls in Cape Town. It was after that Sharks game at Kings Park that it emerged that John Dobson…