Innehållsförteckning för 2024-01-25 från Cape Argus

Poor Things is a technically stunning film that cinephiles will understandably love for its ability to deconstruct the human condition. For the average movie-goer, however, it is a challenging and uncomfortable experience that forces the viewers to confront their own degree of morality and empathy while sitting through feelings of discomfort. The experience of enjoyment that one may have while watching the film is one that is on a spectrum and will only be decided by the individual after they watch the film. The film is stunning from its visual language and production design to the nuance in performances where the actors are deconstructing and articulating the narrative with not only their words but actions as well. While many others have drawn comparisons between the character arc of Bella Baxter…

Mayco member for urban waste, Grant Twigg, said there was no reason for the mayor to suspend him. This after various political parties called for his removal following a report that implicated a senior official in the collapse of waste management in Cape Town’s townships. Earlier this week, the City held a special council meeting where it recommended that Urban Waste Management executive director Luzuko Mdunyelwa be suspended. According to the report leaked to the Cape Argus, the formation of a new “in-house” waste collection model was undertaken with no delegated authority by Mdunyelwa. The model, with an alleged budget of R514 million resulted in high court action against the City. RISE Mzansi expressed its approval of Mdunyelwa’s suspension, but the party also wanted Twigg to be suspended as…

Motorists are warned to be vigilant because smash-and-grab cases in Cape Town have increased, with more than 30 incidents recorded in just one month. The metro police strategic surveillance unit recorded 36 positive smash and grab incidents along Jakes Gerwel Drive in November and December, up from 22 during the same period the previous year. Safety and security boss JP Smith said CCTV footage also detected 100 instances where individuals appeared to be “casing out” potential targets, compared with 41 in 2022. The intersections along Jakes Gerwel Drive remain hot spots for smash-and-grab incidents, he said. “During November and December last year, 36 incidents were recorded. The metro police’s strategic surveillance unit also recorded a surge in incidents where would-be thieves would scout for opportunities. “The statistics show a continued…

The SA Communist Party (SACP) yesterday reiterated the calls made by Limpho Hani, the widow of Struggle stalwart Chris Hani, warning all members of the newly registered uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party to stay away from the grave of the revered icon. Weekend newspaper reports suggested that Zuma and the MK party were scheduled to visit the former SACP leader’s grave. This followed news reports that Cleopatra Tunyiswa, a 57-year-old woman who insists she is Chris Hani’s eldest daughter, has recently dumped the ruling ANC and joined the Zuma-backed MK party. The recent developments sparked a strongly-worded statement from Limpho Hani, who stated that the MK party symbolised by former president Jacob Zuma and its members are “not allowed anywhere near the gravesite of Chris Thembisile Hani, nor is the said…

Equal Education has welcomed the decrease in the number of schools affected by burglary and vandalism across the Western Cape during the festive season. Education MEC David Maynier said that despite the decrease in the number of schools affected by burglary and vandalism over the holidays, they are “nonetheless disappointed”. The MEC said that despite the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) providing holiday security to 486 schools over the December holidays, they recorded 26 incidents of burglary and vandalism at 24 schools over the holiday period. “While this is a significant decrease compared to the same holiday period last year, when 48 incidents were reported at 42 schools, we are nonetheless disappointed that once again our schools must pick up the pieces after criminal damage and theft,” he said. Items…

WITH KwaZulu-Natal identified by the National Executive Committee of the ANC as the host for the launch of the ANC Election Manifesto, we are humbled by the excitement from all corners of the province and the country. Each day, ANC members and ordinary members of society are demonstrating their deep love for the ANC. At the same time, they are pointing out challenges facing the country. But most importantly, they are saying they expect nothing from the ANC leaders other than solutions to socio-economic challenges. As the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, we offer not to disappoint them. We discussed these matters in our first meeting of the Provincial Executive Committee for 2024. This is a very important year. Not only because we are approaching the general elections, but because as a…

Aubaas rose to stardom after getting his second call-up for Bafana Bafana’s Afcon qualifier against the highest-ranked nation on the continent, Morocco, last year. But it wasn’t his outstanding international debut in the shock 2-1 win over the Atlas Lions that initially got the masses talking. Instead, it was after the Bafana media department incorrectly credited him as an Orlando Pirates player instead of a TS Galaxy player, at the time, that hogged the headlines. But after his great shift in the middle of the park, every discerning supporter of the big three – Sundowns, Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs – linked him to their club. Sundowns eventually won the race for the 28-year-old, the midfielder joining the perennial kings of Mzansi on a lengthy multimillion-rand contract. With Chiefs and Pirates…

FORMER champions Algeria crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday night after losing 1-0 to Mauritania, who are 75 places lower in the world rankings. Captain Mohamed Dellahi Yali scored after 37 minutes in Bouake for the Group D outsiders, who will fill one of four places reserved for third-placed finishers in the mini-league stage. Angola defeated Burkina Faso 2-0 in the same section and topped the final standings with seven points. Burkina Faso (four) and Mauritania (three) also advanced to the knockout stage. Champions in 1990 and 2019, Algeria came to Ivory Coast among the favourites to win the African football showpiece, only to depart without winning a match. After draws with Angola and Burkina Faso, they were stunned by Mauritania, who had never won a…

Francis Ngannou can cause a “massive upset” by defeating Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight showdown in Saudi Arabia, according to veteran promoter Frank Warren. British boxer Joshua heads into the March 8 fight looking to back up his commanding stoppage win over Sweden’s Otto Wallin last month as he continues his quest to become a three-time world champion. But Warren believes Joshua will have his work cut out for him in a 10-round bout against 37-year-old Cameroonian Ngannou. Best known as a mixed martial artist, Ngannou stunned many observers with an early knockdown of Tyson Fury, promoted by Warren, before suffering a controversial split-decision loss to the World Boxing Council heavyweight champion in October. And Warren believes Ngannou’s punching power could pose problems for another British boxer in the 34-year-old…

Viewers are in for a treat as local A-list actors come together for Red Ink. The spine-chilling eight-part thriller releases on Showmax from February 12. It stars Bonko Khoza and Nqobile Nunu Khumalo in lead roles with Bongile Mantsai, Lorcia Cooper, Yonda Thomas, Jo-Anne Reyneke, Kwenzo Ngcobo, Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku and Abdul Khoza completing the cast. The much-anticipated series, which is based on Angela Makholwa- Moabelo’s best-selling debut novel of the same name, tells the story of a journalist turned publicist, Lucy Khambule, who is approached by an imprisoned serial killer to tell his story. The trailer begins with a scene of a human skull believed to be the victim of a brutal killing in June 2010. Cooper tells of the murder case. It then shifts to a wealthy and loving…

A 29-YEAR-OLD man was arrested by police in Gauteng after he allegedly confessed to taking part in starting the inferno that gutted the hijacked Usindiso Building in August last year. The blaze claimed the lives of at least 76 people living in the Marshalltown building in Johannesburg’s CBD. “On Tuesday, a suspect was arrested in connection with the Marshalltown fire which claimed the lives of 76 people in Johannesburg central in August last year,” said Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi. “The 29-year-old man was arrested after he confessed at the commission of inquiry to being involved in starting the tragic fire.” Nevhuhulwi said the 29-year-old man will face a myriad of serious charges when he appears in court. “He is expected to appear before Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court soon on…

One of the five men accused of killing soccer player Senzo Meyiwa has implicated the mother of his child, Kelly Khumalo, as the one who allegedly ordered a hit against the former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper. This was revealed in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria yesterday by lead investigator Brigadier Bongani Gininda. Gininda was reading from an affidavit that he had written after the arrest of the five accused. “He is further linked by means of a formal confession he made to a commissioned independent officer on May 30, 2020. In his confession, he clearly implicates Miss Kelly Khumalo as the person who gave them the instruction to kill Senzo Meyiwa,” Gininda read the statement. According to Gininda, this confession was made by accused number one, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya when…

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga wants the government to be proactive in curbing teenage pregnancies among learners. Last month, the Eastern Cape came under the spotlight after it was reported that the province recorded an increase in the number of learners falling pregnant, with a recent report showing more than 12 500 schoolgirls fell pregnant and gave birth in the province this past year. On Tuesday, SABC News reported that the minister had submitted a new policy to the portfolio committee on basic education, which seeks to bring this under control. It is expected that the committee, once it starts its work, will deliberate on the policy proposal. According to the ministry, the policy seeks to prevent the expulsion of pregnant learners from schools while at the same time seeking…

With a pass rate of 92.6% as well as producing the country’s top matriculants in the Special Needs Education category, the matric class of 2023 at Athlone School for the Blind in Bellville is living proof that you get out what you put in. Of the 14 matriculants at the school, 13 passed, the learner who did not make it, fell ill during the year and was unable to write her exams. Out of the 13 who passed, six obtained a bachelor’s pass. On Wednesday these learners were honoured by the school as well as the world humanitarian group Gift of the Givers. Principal John Philander encouraged the learners to use their awards and certificates as a constant reminder of their hard work in their daily lives. “You are an…

In a landmark ruling – described as a major victory for fathers – the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, has jailed a mother for 12 months for denying a father access to his child, despite two court orders. The judgment by Judge PD Phahlane earlier this month is a significant ruling on parental rights and the best interests of the child. Mr S had sought enforcement of previous court orders granting him access to his minor child, against the first respondent, the child’s mother. Despite court orders, in August 2021 and June 2022, the mother continuously defied them, leading to Mr S filing a contempt of court application. Judge Phahlane said the mother’s actions not only disrespected the court’s authority, but also directly violated the child’s rights. “ … her…

KwaZulu-Natal has once again been hit hard by devastating weather-related disasters, claiming the lives of more than 60 people. The tragic incidents are a stark reminder of the urgent need for proactive measures to address the challenges posed by inclement weather. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, had launched a series of summer disaster awareness campaigns before the rainy season started. The campaigns were aimed at alerting communities to the imminent dangers of lightning, flooding and accidents resulting from slippery road surfaces. Our collaborative efforts with NGOs, such as the South African Red Cross, Al-Imdaad Foundation for Disaster, IPSS Medical Rescue and Reaction Unit South Africa, have proven to be invaluable. Together, we formed a united front to reach out to…

Chelsea stormed into the League Cup final with a 6-1 thrashing of second-tier Middlesbrough to easily overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night. The Blues struck four times before half-time as Jonny Howson’s own goal, Enzo Fernandez, Axel Disasi and Cole Palmer put Mauricio Pochettino’s men on the road to Wembley next month. Palmer and Noni Madueke piled the pain on Middlesbrough in the closing stages on a night that could prove the turning point in Pochettino’s early reign in charge. A much tougher test awaits against either Premier League leaders Liverpool or local rivals Fulham on February 25, but there are promising signs for the Argentine that an expensively-assembled, yet still raw squad is beginning to come together. “Today we were very clinical in…

Hundreds removed from two Commercial Street buildings and carted to Epping immigration office as high court bid fails SQUATTERS living in squalor in two hijacked buildings in Commercial Street in the CBD have failed to secure an application in the Western Cape High Court to stop them being evicted. Hundreds of illegal foreigners were evicted and taken to the immigration office in Epping yesterday morning. A joint operation between the SAPS, City Law Enforcement, and the Department of Home Affairs entered the building – in close proximity to Parliament – and removed the people and their belongings. When the Independent Media team arrived on scene, the people’s belongings were on the pavement outside 42 and 44 Commercial Street, which were reportedly occupied by more than 500 people. A bus and…

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released its latest figures on Monday, specifically looking at how many companies and businesses have been liquidated in the past year. According to the data, SA experienced more than 1 600 liquidations in 2023. While not the best news, the number of companies that have closed or failed has dropped when compared to 2022. Stats SA notes that liquidations decreased by 13.1% in 2023 compared with 2022. Liquidations of companies decreased by 15.6% (from 1 091 to 921) and liquidations of close corporations decreased by 9.8% (from 816 to 736). The total number of liquidations decreased by 13.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with the fourth quarter of 2022. There was a year-on-year decrease of 13.8% in December 2023. What industries were hit…

Supported by Equal Education (EE) and Equal Education Law Centre (EELC), scores of parents along with their children protested at the Metro East Education District in Kuils River over learners who remain unplaced a week since the start of the school year. As the global community commemorated International Day of Education yesterday, around 100 people protested to highlight the plight of unplaced learners. Parents from Khayelitsha, Strand and Kraaifontein joined others facing a similar plight, who had queued outside the office. Learners protested in their school uniforms, showing their readiness to be placed into classrooms. Parent Mavis Mgoqi from Harare, Khayelitsha said: “There is no school for my child. I’ve got two kids at home. One is supposed to go to Grade 11 but there’s no space for her. I…

Hughton and Saintfiet first coaching casualties Chris Hughton was fired as Ghana’s coach after their elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations was confirmed. Hughton, who won 53 caps as a fullback for Ireland, is the second coaching casualty at the Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast after The Gambia boss Tom Saintfiet. Two late goals deprived Ghana’s Black Stars of passage to the round of 16 after minnows Mozambique secured a come-from-behind 2-2 draw in a Group B clash in Ivory Coast. Ghana’s statement read: “The Ghana Football Association wishes to announce that Chris Hughton has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the senior national team with immediate effect.” Meanwhile, AFP reports that Afcon hosts Ivory Coast have sacked coach Jean-Louis Gasset midway through the tournament,…

There is a little over a week to the start of the much-anticipated Proteas tour to New Zealand, where the two countries will go head-to-head in two Test matches in the new cycle of the World Test Championship. Despite the lack of Test-match experience in the touring squad, the Proteas are going to unfamiliar territory looking to come back home with points in the bag. And despite the lack of familiar faces and established players in the squad, the qualities of South African cricket, which include resilience, are still a part of each member of the squad, according to batter Zubayr Hamza. “Yes, the facts are facts … A lot of us have not played international cricket, and there’s not a lot of knowledge with regard to international cricket. The…

ALEXANDER Zverev battled through the pain barrier to stun Carlos Alcaraz in the early hours of yesterday and book an Australian Open semi-final against Daniil Medvedev, weathering a big fightback from the world No 2. The German sixth seed eventually prevailed 6-1 6-3 6-7 (2/7) 6-4 for a phenomenal win on the Rod Laver Arena to make the last four at a Grand Slam for a seventh time. Zverev, still searching for a breakthrough major title, will meet Medvedev next after the Russian third seed battled past Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in five gruelling sets. “He’s been kicking my a** a lot the last year or so. But maybe this’ll be it, this’ll be the place,” Zverev said of Medvedev. He had to dig deep to get past Alcaraz, who was…

The Blitzboks are banking on a good dose of fresh blood to put a spring in their step in Perth this weekend in the form of two uncapped players and three returnees from injury. The South Africans are motivated to bounce back from a disappointing outing in Cape Town last month, and sunny Perth will also bring a fresh outlook to the World Sevens Series. Even if the tournament was played on the South Pole, Ricardo Duarttee hopes to be a ray of sunshine for his team. After being named as World Rugby’s Rookie of the Year for the 2023 season, “Tricky Ricky” missed out in Dubai and Cape Town as the coaching staff decided to go with a fit-again Selvyn Davids and Ronald Brown in the playmaker/sweeper role. But…