Innehållsförteckning för 2023-05-30 från Cape Argus

THE MOST recent interest rate hike, by 50 basis points, brings the prime interest rate to 11.75%. Economists do say that there is a slight chance that there could be one more this year, but another large leap is unlikely. For current property investors, this may put pressure on their current cash flow, but should soon be negated by the annual rental increase. For future investors, while this may seem nonsensical, there cannot be a more golden the time to purchase investment property, with a large number of homeowners who purchased at the lower interest rates needing to re-enter the rental market, having had to sell, as well as a fairly stable interest rate for purchases. The TPN Residential Rental Monitor shows that performance at the top end of the…

The charred remains of a stolen NSRI rescue craft have been found in Blikkiesdorp, Delft. When crew members arrived at the Strandfontein rescue station for routine training on Sunday morning, they discovered it had been broken into and the JetRIB rescue craft stolen, NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said. Strandfontein police are investigating. Lambinon said: “The SA Police Services, assisted by City of Cape Town (CoCT), Law Enforcement and CoCT metro police, are investigating a case of stolen and damaged property at NSRI Strandfontein.” He said the four padlocks to the slipway boat gate were found open and damaged. “During Sunday afternoon, what appeared to be a boat recently destroyed by a fire was located on an open field in Blikkiesdorp, Delft. “Police and Law Enforcement investigated and it is confirmed…

Police in the Free State have launched a manhunt after the body of an unidentified woman was found yesterday morning. Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said the body of the woman was found in a street near an auction facility in Bohlokong. “Police were summoned to Lombard Street near the auction facilities at about 7.30am after a passer-by came across the body of an unknown female in her mid 20s. “On arrival, police discovered that the victim’s throat had been slit. “She is wearing an olive-green jacket, a white T-shirt, and black sweatpants. She is unknown at this stage and no arrests have been made yet,” Kareli said. A case of murder has been opened for investigation. Police have urged members of the public to come forward with information…

The DA’s introduction of a bill in the legislature that calls for the devolution of national powers to the Western Cape has been slated by the opposition. Chairperson of the standing committee on premier and constitutional matters, Christopher Fry (DA), tabled the Western Cape Provincial Powers Bill on Friday. Fry said: “Among the things, what the bill seeks to achieve is to create a mechanism for the legislature to introduce national legislation in the National Council of Provinces through its delegates.” Fry said if passed, the province would assert existing powers or seek additional powers in the areas of policing and public transport, including municipal transport. Through the bill, the province also wants to have a say in energy matters, including generation, transmission and reticulation; international trade and harbours. He…

Parents whose children attend Chatsworth Ame Primary School in Malmesbury protested outside the school against the principal, whom they accused of suspending a large number of learners as well as not communicating with them properly. Since January, the parents have held private meetings to challenge the principal. However, they said they couldn’t wait for a meeting scheduled by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and decided enough was enough for principal EV Hendricks, who has been running the school for over 10 years. The parents said Hendricks has been running the school like it’s his spaza shop. Whatever he says, goes, and parents are not involved in decisions taken regarding their children. The group went on to say that he and the school’s teachers were trying to divide the…

Residents have threatened to shut down construction of the long-awaited Makhaza police station. Yesterday morning angry community members went to the site, demanding to speak to the steering committee. They accused the councillors of employing their friends on the construction project. Community leader Mthuthuzeli Takuta said there were no public meetings concerning the project. “We only found out about the construction when we saw that the field was being cleared. We then went to the ward 96 councillor to find out about the construction. We didn’t get the answers we were asking for. Instead, we were told to bring two people from our ward to work at the site.” Mthuthuzeli said they were concerned about people who work at the construction site but have other jobs. “The community liaison officer…

Jurgen Klopp insists he does not need a break from management as he looks to put Liverpool back on track after their troubled season. Klopp’s team missed out on Champions League qualification after finishing outside the top four for the first time in a full season under his leadership. A 4-4 draw at Southampton on the last day of the season stretched Liverpool’s unbeaten top-flight run to 11 games, but they had to settle for a fifth-place finish in the Premier League. Klopp is the league’s longest-serving manager and there had been claims the intense German might be willing to walk away from Liverpool due to burn-out. But, asked if he needs time off from football, Klopp said: “No, no, no, not at all. Honestly, I’m completely fine. “If you’d…

South African consumers are between a rock and a hard place as the country faces elevated load shedding this winter leaving many to turn to alternative power solutions, such as solar. The good news is that solar panel prices have fallen considerably, according to the SA Photovoltaic Industry Association (Sapvia). One only has to drive around suburbs to see that homeowners and offices are turning to solar solutions. To do so household owners and businesses are being forced to readjust their budget’s and spending to keep the lights on. This as many people after Covid-19 work partly in the office and partly at home, making access to alternative power from Eskom an essential items. Tarina Vlok, MD of Elite Risk Acceptances, a subsidiary of Old Mutual Insure, said the ever-increasing…

Judge Mahube Betty Molemela starts a new job as president of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) with effect from Thursday, June 1, after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the appointment last week. Ramaphosa’s announcement came after consultations with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which recommended the judge for the position in April. An overwhelming majority of the members of the JSC voted in support of Justice Molemela’s suitability. Ramaphosa also consulted with parliamentary party leaders over the appointment. Judge Molemela is the second woman appointed to a senior position in the judiciary recently, after Judge Mandisa Maya was appointed deputy chief justice of the Constitutional Court. Judge Molemela, who has been on the SCA Bench since 2018, has had a judicial career spanning more than 15 years, having first been…

The City of Tshwane says community members have told them water is being sold from “roaming water tankers” in Hammanskraal. Residents are cautioned not to buy or drink water from these tankers as it is untested and yet to be declared safe. The City provides drinkable water to its communities in formal and informal areas in Hammanskraal for free. The water provided by the City’s authorised tankers has been declared safe for drinking after a series of tests confirmed it does not contain cholera. Officials from the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) will conduct stop-and-search operations on trucks transporting water without a valid permit. Authorities announced the cholera outbreak last weekend in Hammanskraal. At least 24 people have died of cholera to date.…

After a seemingly gradual start to the winter season, Capetonians are now in for harsh winds, heavy rains and chilling temperatures. According to the SA Weather Service, Cape Town will this week experience temperatures as low as 11°C throughout the week. There’s also the chance of rain for at least two days, thunderstorms and damaging winds. On its official website, the bureau warned of difficulty in navigation at sea for small vessels and personal water craft, like kayaks. It also revealed that small vessels would be at risk of taking on water and capsizing in the locality. For the Western Cape, the weather service said residents could expect partly cloudy skies with isolated showers and thundershowers in the extreme north west, otherwise cloudy and cool to cold with scattered to…

nomalanga.tshuma@inl.co.za While South Africans are known across the world for having immense talent, a unique sense of humour and music that inspires more than movement, a number of South African superstars continue to mesmerise and impress on international stages. From gracing catwalks and acting in award-winning movies to hosting renowned shows, several SA celebs currently based around the world continue to instil a sense of pride. Among them is Cape Town-born model Lisa-Marie Jaftha. Born and raised in the southern suburbs of Wynberg, she has been an international model for more than 10 years. A soft-spoken Jaftha, who tentatively joked about a lady never revealing her age, sat down with the Cape Argus for a virtual interview to chat about her life in the Americas, lessons learnt while jet-setting across…

Teboho Mokoena was crowned the best player among his peers at the PSL Awards on Sunday – thanks to the stellar season he had with Mamelodi Sundowns. Sundowns became Premiership champions for a record sixth season in a row, as all the players who contributed to their success received praise. Mokoena was part and parcel of that lot, making 24 appearances in the league, while he registered one goal and one assist. Mokoena was key, as he made some crucial passes and tackles in midfield – proving to be a fitting replacement for former club captain Andile Jali. But was he a more deserving winner for the footballer of the season instead of Monnapule Saleng and teammate Ronwen Williams? Well, that can be argued. Saleng proved the doubters wrong…

Mauricio Pochettino is back in the Premier League with the tough task of putting the pieces back together after Chelsea’s disastrous first season under their new ownership. The Argentine will take charge of a club that finished 12th in the league despite an eye-watering outlay of more than £550million (about R13billion) on new players under Todd Boehly’s consortium. Pochettino made his name in management by making the most of meagre resources at Espanyol, Southampton and particularly during a five-year stint at Tottenham Hotspur. Eighteen months at Paris Saint-Germain delivered the first silverware of the 51-year-old’s career - the Ligue 1 title and French Cup - but he never appeared comfortable managing the egos of a star-studded squad before leaving in July 2022. Pochettino’s man-management skills will face a severe examination…

Interest rates play a crucial role in shaping the economic landscape of any country. In the case of South Africa, the impact of the high interest rates on economic growth is a topic of significant importance. The question is: How elevated interest rates can affect economic growth and the challenges they pose to the South African economy? Interest rates directly influence the cost of borrowing for businesses and individuals. When interest rates are high, borrowing becomes more expensive, resulting in reduced investment, decreased consumer spending, and limited access to credit. These factors can have a significant impact on economic growth, as they dampen business expansion, curtail investment projects, and hinder entrepreneurial activities. Effects on Business Investment High interest rates can discourage businesses from borrowing to finance expansion plans, research and…

The nationwide crackdown on health-care practitioners operating illegally in South Africa, launched by the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA), is gaining momentum, with arrests made in different parts of the country. “The HPCSA’s inspectorate office, in a joint operation with members of the SAPS, conducted an inspection in Kuruman, Northern Cape, where Tshifata Katembwe, a Congolese national, was found practising as a medical practitioner while not registered with council,” said spokesperson Christopher Tsatsawane. He said during the inspection it was discovered that Katembwe had been working at a medical practice registered to Dr TK Gopane since January last year. “Mr Katembwe was arrested for practising illegally and as a result he was in contravention of Section 17(1) of the Health Professions Act, 56 of 1974, and detained at Kuruman…

Parliament’s Section 194 inquiry into the fitness for office of suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has missed its scheduled May 29 deadline to finish its work, and in the meantime a three-month process to nominate a new public protector has begun. Mkhwebane’s non-renewable seven-year term expires on October 14, and to prepare for this Parliament is in the process of establishing an ad hoc committee to appoint her successor. Once formed, the committee is expected to call for nominations from the public and organisations. The next step will be the compilation of a shortlist from the nominations, and another invitation to the public to comment on short-listed candidates who will then be subjected to a vetting process before taking part in public interviews. Parliament wants to have a candidate nominated…

The table-topping Sharks host the Lions in Durban on Saturday in what promises to be an absorbing Currie Cup clash where there will be more at stake than vital log points. The Sharks are coached in the Currie Cup by Lions old boys Joey Mongalo and Philip Lemmer, and if a comment made by the former is interpreted correctly the Sharks are hungrier than ever to continue their six-game winning streak. Mongalo, speaking after his team had beaten the Griffons 35-5 in Welkom last week, said: “We are men who take pride in what we do. The last time we played the Lions in Johannesburg, the result didn’t go well for us and there were also one or two things that happened off the field that we want to…

Novak Djokovic started his bid for a men’s record 23rd grand slam singles title with a straight-sets victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic in the French Open first round yesterday. Two-time Roland Garros champion Djokovic held off a late rally from his American opponent on Court Philippe Chatrier to clinch a 6-3 6-2 7-6(1) victory. He has still not lost in his opening match of amajor since the 2006 Australian Open. “I'm very motivated to stay in this tournament for a long time, it’s just the start now,” said Djokovic after kicking off his 19th consecutive French Open campaign. “I’m happy. I’ve started well and hope I can improve further for the next match.” The 36-year-old will face Hungarian Marton Fucsovics, who he has beaten four times in as many meetings, in…

Alpine took their first podium finish of the Formula One season in Monaco on Sunday and chief executive Laurent Rossi, who warned of the consequences of failure after poor opening results, said he was proud of the performance. Esteban Ocon’s third place in the most glamorous street race of the season, and what is effectively a home round for the Renault-owned team, relieved some of the pressure that was building up. “I am happy. I am happy for the team,” the Frenchman said as he walked to the pitlane for a celebratory group photograph. “I’m not going to say I want them to finish P3 every race, that would be unrealistic - I would love that, but we still have a lot of work to do to get there,” he…