Innehållsförteckning för 2022-09-09 från Cape Argus

The SAPS Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has been activated to investigate the shocking killing of a Cape Town Central police officer. Police say the 39-year-old sergeant was gunned down in his yard by unknown suspects yesterday morning, less than five minutes after arriving home from a 12-hour night shift. Police spokesperson Andrè Traut said: “Detectives and crime scene experts were dispatched to follow-up on leads in Oliver Tambo Drive in Samora Machel yesterday after an off-duty police officer was shot and killed in cold blood. “An initial account of the incident indicates that at around 6.45am, the sergeant had returned home after a 12-hour night shift when he was attacked by armed criminals in front of his residence.” Traut said the victim sustained several gunshot wounds and succumbed…

THE lawyer acting for Moyhdian Pangkaeker – the man accused of kidnapping, raping, mutilating and murdering Tazne van Wyk – said yesterday that the court should be wary of the State’s description of his client as a child molester. Advocate Saleem Halday said in his opening address: “When my learned colleague referred to a passage in his heads, basically highlighting certain traits that one would normally find in a child molester, of course his submissions (were) that these are present in the accused. I understand why he started in that way, but there is a danger which the court should be wary of in such an approach.” He said the State couldn’t “piggy back” on such traits in a situation where evidence of each and every charge may be insufficient…

Parliament is under pressure to release the feasibility study on its relocation to the political parties represented in the national legislature. This comes after the report was not shared in the meeting of chief whips forum despite an undertaking made at the meeting of the National Assembly programme committee. The EFF made the request last week as part of its preparation for the private member’s bill that proposes the relocation of Parliament from Cape Town to the administrative capital, Tshwane. Yesterday, EFF MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi complained that the feasibility study report had not been sent to them. “Can we be updated in that regard?” Mkhaliphi said. National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said newly-appointed Secretary to Parliament Xolile George was studying the report that was commissioned from Pamoja Capital Group by…

Over the next four years, South Africans can expect to start seeing fewer Caltex garages and fuel forecourts now that the Astron Energy rebrand is officially under way. Yesterday, Astron Energy unveiled its first rebranded Caltex forecourt at Macs in Brooklyn, along Koeberg Road, Cape Town. Astron Energy manufactures and sells Caltex-branded lubricants under licence from Chevron, but last year the fuel company announced that it would be completely rebranding all Caltex service stations to Astron Energy service stations with a new look and feel. Astron Energy CEO Thabiet Booley said: “The rebrand from Caltex to Astron Energy is the most significant change in the South African liquid fuels industry in three decades. It is also a key milestone in Astron Energy’s ambition of becoming the next biggest fuel brand…

The planned relocation of more than 1 200 residents illegally dwelling on Prasa railway tracks on the Central Line to a parcel of land at Wedge Area by November 30, is forging ahead. The three spheres of government and the affected communities of Langa, Philippi and Khayelitsha living on the Central Line rail tracks yesterday entered into a social compact which provides a framework to govern the relationship between the parties. It also outlines the rights and responsibilities of all parties. The signing of the social compact happens despite mounting calls against the relocation of the illegal dwellers by the receiving community of Mitchells Plain. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, who oversaw the signing of the social compact, called out the alleged gangsters for stopping government work after they violently accosted…

The City’s Fire & Rescue Service has encouraged seasonal firefighters to apply for the 120 positions available. The City opened its annual recruitment drive which aims to strengthen its defences against vegetation fires from November to April. Successful candidates will be expected to work at least 40 hours a week, alongside permanent staff. Seasonal firefighters were introduced as an Expanded Public Works Programme in 2009 to fund the appointment of 40 firefighters. Safety and Security Mayco member JP Smith said seasonal firefighters were instrumental to the plans in place to tackle veld fires in the metro. “The Fire & Rescue Service responded to 8 202 vegetation fires between November 2021 and April. Our seasonal recruits are critical to our efforts to protect lives and property during this busy period. The…

THEY might be up against tough opposition in their Rugby World Cup Sevens opener at Cape Town Stadium today, but the Springbok Women’s Sevens team believe they can deliver. The South Africans open their campaign against France, and while the Europeans – who finished seventh at the last World Cup Sevens in San Francisco – are ranked higher than Paul Delport’s team, confidence isn’t lacking among the hosts. Captain Sizophila Solontsi shared that they are taking a lot of confidence from the strong XVs flavour in their group. This season, the Springbok Women won five of their six Tests in preparation for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next month, and Solontsi said that the squad have gelled well since the 15s players joined. “I think we can do…

IN THE wake of volatile taxi protests in local communities, the City’s portfolio committee on safety and security has once again denounced attacks on its enforcement and emergency services staff. Portfolio committee chairperson Mzwakhe Nqavashe lamented the ongoing violence, saying that the senseless attacks should be regarded as attacks on the community. Nqavashe made the statement following a committee meeting held by the safety and security portfolio earlier this week. “The City has a responsibility to do more to contribute to a safer community and to ensure that drivers of vehicles adhere to the relevant road traffic by-laws and regulations. “Our enforcement staff face dangerous situations daily. While this comes with the enforcement and security environment when vehicles are stoned, and officers are stopped in pursuit of criminals, it becomes…

That 40% of murders are perpetrated with firearms is nothing new (IOL, August 22). It has been a constant for at least two decades. But Police Minister Bheki Cele implies that it’s because of firearms when, in fact, the murder rate depends on factors not related to the availability of weapons, and if one weapon is not available, another will be used. If I were to answer every point of your 1 000-word article, my letter would be too long to publish, and that is a disadvantage that we of the opposing view have to accept when rebutting articles of this sort. I must, therefore, limit myself to the key thrusts of the article. In the interest of fairness, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation executive…

The Mdzananda Animal Clinic has put out an urgent appeal for emergency donations, as it absorbs the South African Mass Animal Sterilisation Trust (SA MAST) animal clinic in Khayelitsha in an effort to save it from closing down. Fundraising and communications executive Marcelle du Plessis said after the departure of the SA MAST founder and primary fundraiser and the loss of major donors, funds dried up leaving the organisation in a dire state. “There were two options for the trustees, either shut down or ask for help. So they contacted us, the only other animal organisation in Khayelitsha for help.” What was once SA MAST will now be known as the Mdzananda Satellite Sterilisation Clinic. SA MAST sterilised about 4 000 animals a year, in addition to providing primary health…

CHELSEA confirmed Graham Potter as their new manager yesterday, just over 24 hours after parting company with Thomas Tuchel after only six games of the Premier League season. The 47-year-old Potter, who has earned a glowing reputation as a visionary coach at Brighton & Hove Albion, has agreed a five-year deal with the six-time English champions. His appointment is quite a departure for a club who usually select household names with experience at Europe’s top clubs, but signifies a change of approach. He is the first managerial appointment under new American chairperson Todd Boehly, who led a takeover three months ago. “We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea. He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the club,” Boehly said…

The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) introduces a brand new event to the Western Cape this weekend – the AllSport Expo, where sporting enthusiasts and professionals can experience a wide range of outdoor, indoor, and water sport, with a focus on health, nutrition and wellness products all under one roof. The expo will include a host of experiential sporting activities, challenges and competitions, providing visitors with an immersive and tangible experience of the exhibitor’s products and services, while adding a dynamic energy to the entire event. Come and try out different activities, from boxing, dance, wrestling, karate and electric skateboarding to golf putting, all facilitated by experts in their various fields. Visitors can win prizes in exhibitor competitions during the expo, as well as special offers on packages from…

FOR Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell, the focus has always been on creating better human beings, not just better players – and it’s clearly a formula that has worked for him. Powell takes the Blitzboks into the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town in his last tournament in charge of the South African men’s Sevens side. Under him, the team have won three World Series titles, two Commonwealth Games gold medals and Olympics bronze. After the World Cup, Powell joins the Sharks as director of rugby. The former Blitzbok captain admitted yesterday that the emotions had hit him after being in the system for 15 years as a player and coach, but added that they had shelved all of that to focus on the task at hand. “I think…

Family and friends of slain Clanwilliam teacher Allison Plaatjies and the family of her killer, Phillip April, yesterday sat on opposite sides of the Western Cape High Court gallery as arguments were heard for and against whether he should be convicted of premeditated murder. At the outset of the trial, April admitted to killing Plaatjies by pleading “guilty” to murder, but disputed a charge of theft. In rejecting his plea, the State set out to prove that April ought to be convicted of “premeditated murder” for following through on threats and abuse he allegedly inflicted on the 26-year-old while she was still alive. State advocate Renee Uys, arguing for a conviction of premeditated murder, asked the court to consider the logic of Plaatjies’ conduct, which showed she was afraid of…

The charge of fruitless and wasteful expenditure against suspended public protector advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane with regard to millions of rand of public funds spent on failed litigation took centre stage at Parliament’s hearings into her fitness to hold office. When the hearing resumed yesterday, after a two-week break, the enquiry’s evidence leader, advocate Nazreen Bawa SC, took the committee through a summary of judgments handed down against Mkhwebane. Bawa said the cost of legal consulting and professional fees incurred by Mkhwebane between the 2016/17 financial year and the just-concluded 2021/22 financial year was R158.9 million, of which R146.9 million was spent on legal fees. In a partial breakdown of some of the litigation and costs involved, Bawa said the bill for the public protector’s Absa/CIEX report cases came to more…

Premier Alan Winde’s safety plan has been attacked by the ANC in the province for being silent on organised crime and the role that this plays in the incidents of violence, murder and other crimes in communities. ANC provincial finance and economic opportunities spokesperson Nomi Nkondlo said the safety plan omits any discussion on poaching, and its connection with the drug trade. Nkondlo’s comments on what she called the political economy of crime in the province sparked a lively debate in the legislature. “At the outset, let us dispel any myths that may exist. “The safety plan, as championed by the premier and his so-called Safety Cabinet, does not consider the political economy of crime.” Engaging in the debate, Winde quoted a number of academic papers on the subject and…

As concern for Africa’s food systems and food insecurity grow, civil society, faith groups and farmer leaders reiterated their call for an end to the failed “Green Revolution” in Africa, as the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Agra) gathered this week in Kigali, Rwanda. The call comes as Agra concluded its annual African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF), which took place under the theme of “Bold Actions for Resilient Food Systems” to drive the food and agriculture agenda on the continent. However, the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) believes Agra is pushing a development model that reinforces dependency on foreign inputs, including expensive fertiliser that undermines the resilience of African food systems, and which ultimately has not increased farmers’ yields, incomes and food security – despite the…

Another interest rate hike looms for South Africans, and first-time homeowners may be under more pressure than others. The next announcement by the SA Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will be on September 22, and rates could increase by as much as 0.5% – maybe even more. If this is the case, then Adrian Goslett, regional director and chief executive of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, says interest rates would resemble the pre-Covid levels of around 10% (prime), and therefore not be new to established homeowners. New owners who purchased properties while the interest rates were low may, however, struggle. He states that established homeowners who owned property before 2020 were able to afford the repayments at the higher interest rate and are likely used to the fact that interest…

IF you were in the room when Selvyn Davids spoke about playing in front of the Cape Town crowd during the Rugby World Cup Sevens this weekend, you would have got a good look at what it means to the players. The Blitzboks will run out in front of a packed home crowd when they go out to chase their first Melrose Cup. Forty teams – 24 men’s and 16 women’s – will compete for the respective trophies over the three-day tournament. Davids also featured at the 2018 World Cup in San Francisco, but this one will be even more special for the Jeffreys Bay-born scrumhalf. Speaking on the eve of the tournament, which will be the the first Sevens World Cup to be hosted in Africa and only the…

Rain at The Oval yesterday gave the Proteas batters at least 24 more hours to ponder how they would do a better job than they did in the second Test against England two weeks ago. Before it was covered up because of the incessant rain, former England players Mark Butcher and Kevin Pietersen – who are part of the Sky Sports commentary team – said the pitch looked like a belter. Ben Stokes had won the toss and chosen to bowl, presumably to put South Africa’s weakness under more pressure in what would have been tricky conditions given the cloud cover, and to keep with his team’s own preference for batting last. The Proteas fiddled with their batting unit, with three of the four changes made to the team from…

ITALY’S Monza circuit celebrates its 100th anniversary this weekend with Ferrari under pressure to perform in front of a packed home crowd and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen ready to spoil the party. Formula One’s most successful team have again flattered to deceive this season, revving up the fans with a quick car and early wins before strategic errors, driver mistakes and technical failures took a toll. Verstappen, meanwhile, will be going for his fifth win in a row on Sunday to take his tally to 11 victories from 16 races. The race at the super-fast Autodromo Nazionale, the ‘Pista Magica’, ends the European season and a gruelling triple header, with teams arriving from the Netherlands after Belgium the weekend before. “Monza has historically been a tougher circuit for us,” said…