Innehållsförteckning för 2024-03-18 från Cape Argus

A SEA Point woman said she was left shaken after her dog was attacked by two Staffordshire Bull Terriers along the Sea Point Promenade. Louise Slattery said it was not the first encounter she and her black chow chow Java had had with the same dogs, as they were both attacked in September last year, which she had to seek medical help for. After six months, she decided to go back to the Promenade, when Java was mauled on Thursday afternoon. “One dog was on the leash and the other wasn’t. It’s a public area, dogs should be on a leash. “The guy who came to help me had a three-year-old child with him, and my first thought was, what happens if a child gets attacked? “If you’ve got no…

Many Jews around the world have strangely and unexpectedly shown support for the Palestine cause by joining numerous public protests, openly condemning an evil mutation of their own species, loosely termed and defined by the “Z” word. This ironic outcry begs a brief analysis as it also carries an important message for the rest of us “nobler-thanthou” members of other religions, and even institutions . The Jewish community is a relatively tiny fraction among the other major religions of the world – Christianity, Islam, Hinduism – constituting less than 0.5%, and, arguably, must therefore be well interconnected. So any Jew anywhere, openly decrying the specific, or even, general behaviour of some of the members of his own community is openly leaving himself and his immediate family to immediate rebuke…

The article titled, “WC tables R255.29 billion budget for poor, vulnerable” refers. Over the 2024 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the R255.29 billion budget places the 7.4 million residents of this province, our vulnerable communities and future generations, at the very centre of decision making. This is not a “newfound love”, as the ANC may claim. It is a fact that with the right policies, that attract and incentivise investment, and that support and enable the private sector – with expertly designed and implemented plans and through determined action – we can cut unemployment and lift many more people out of poverty and into prosperity. The results of this approach are there for all to see. The most recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey confirmed that the Western Cape continues to have:…

President Vladimir Putin was poised to tighten his grip on power yesterday in a Russian election that is certain to deliver him a landslide victory, though thousands of opponents staged a symbolic noon protest at polling stations. Putin, who rose to power in 1999, is set to win a new six-year term that would enable him to overtake Josef Stalin and become Russia’s longest-serving leader in more than 200 years. The election comes just more than two years since Putin triggered the deadliest European conflict since World War II by ordering the invasion of Ukraine. He casts it as a “special military operation”. War has hung over the three day election: Ukraine has repeatedly attacked oil refineries in Russia, shelled Russian regions and sought to pierce Russian borders with…

A 32-YEAR-OLD woman believed to be a friend of those arrested for Joshlin Smith’s disappearance is expected to make her first appearance in Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court today. This comes as initial suspect Phumza Sigaqa, who was freed after charges of human trafficking and kidnapping were dropped against her, said her life has been turned upside down. Police confirmed yesterday that the new suspect had been arrested and charged. “Be advised that a 32-year-old woman will appear in Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court (today) in connection with the disappearance of 6-year-old Joshlin Smith.” Sigaqa spoke to the Cape Argus from a relative’s house yesterday, saying she was forced to flee her home with her children, as they feared for their safety. Sigaqa was arrested on March 5 along with Joshlin’s mother, Racquel “Kelly”…

MUIZENBERG residents were left shocked after discovering a young woman’s half-naked body at the weekend. The unknown female’s tights were drawn to her knees, leaving her private parts exposed, and she had blood on her face. She was found on Saturday morning in Xakabantu, an informal settlement in Muizenberg. Residents posted about the incident on Facebook, to alert anyone who may have a family member missing. Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said: “Muizenberg police registered a murder case for investigation after the body of an unknown female was discovered in the Xakabantu informal settlement on Saturday morning. “Police members attended the crime scene where they found the victim partially undressed and with blood on her face. “The victim was declared deceased on the scene by paramedics. The circumstances surrounding the incident…

the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) assured their supporters at a media briefing yesterday that they would be voting for a “growing party that is hell-bent on creating jobs and “free the Western Cape from white colonial rule”. Among its promises, the party reiterated its stance on expropriation of land without compensation, saying it would undo the injustices created by the 1913 Land Act, where blacks were given only 13% of the land. The EFF gave voters hope that if it governs, the party will end load shedding, education will be free for all, and racism and discrimination will stop. Addressing the media in th city centre, confident EFF Western Cape provincial chairperson Unathi Ntame said: “There is proof of the growth of the EFF in the Western Cape. There's…

ILLEGAL dumping in Woodstock has gotten worse over the past six months, as the City was filling up to 200 bags of refuse off the streets every single day. This is according to ward 115 councillor Ian McMahon, who said despite the City’s solid waste department hiring more than 30 general workers to clean the streets five-and-a-half days a week, illegal dumping continued to persist. “We have six teams made up of five workers, one supervisor, and three sweepers, and on any day they clean between 12 and 16 streets. “We are filling up 200 bags of refuse on the streets every single day. “Late last year, the solid waste law enforcement department did an audit of all the businesses along Victoria and Albert roads to see which were not…

I SWITCHED my TV on at 06:10 this morning, tuned into eNCA and could hardly be surprised to hear that the reason for some communities in Gauteng having been without water for weeks was that a valve along the network was deliberately closed. The sudden shortage of water supply countrywide was always very suspicious. First we learnt about the many acts of sabotage at Eskom causing load shedding, which has not yet been resolved, and now the interference with water flow leading to a catastrophic crisis affecting households, schools, hospitals and businesses. There is no shortage of tricks used to discredit the government, and it’s probably a ploy to prove that deployment of unskilled people to important government positions is a recipe for disaster. Properly trained people in water and…

On top of their arrogance, Americans can now also claim to have destroyed the sacredness of elections as a fundamental instrument of democracy, showing us another tragic example of how democracies become empires. The lead author and emperor of this “republican fragility” is the nominee to contest the elections on behalf of US Republicans, Donald Trump. To observe the patterns where conservative-aligned or populist candidates are contesting elections is quite revealing. One insight that jumps out is that conservatives despise mob politics or mob tactics, except when it serves their own agenda. They will employ mobs to march in support of their cause, but detest mobs who protest against them when they are in power. For those who study elections, it is fascinating to observe how Donald Trump and Caesar…

The rugby season kicked off in the Cape with Wynberg Boys High hosting the opening rugby festival. The main attraction over the weekend was the clash between Rondebosch Boys and the highly rated Oakdale Agricultural School from Riversdale. In a closely contested encounter, which saw the lead change many times, the visitors emerged victorious on 17-13, after trailing 10-7 at the interval. As expected, both teams started off cautiously probing for openings. The forwards measured up well against each other, although the Oakdale eight showed more cohesion in the scrums. In the line-outs, however, Bosch had the edge, largely through the efforts of lock Carl Goodie and live wire flank Josh Neill, who also shone in the loose. The Bosch backs as a unit showed more intent, with full-back David…

Richards Bay head coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi remains upbeat about the club’s campaign, despite being eliminated from the Nedbank Cup. The Natal Rich Boyz were no match for a clinical SuperSport United at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday and were therefore dumped out of the round of 16 stage. The KwaZulu-Natal-based outfit is currently involved in what's building up to be a tasty relegation battle in the DStv Premiership. Having made the semi-final stage of the Carling Knockout Cup this season, eyes were on Richards Bay in the Ke Yona competition this time around. However, they have stumbled out and will now have an opportunity to focus all their effort on avoiding the dreaded, direct drop into the second tier, with Cape Town Spurs having made ground on them this…

FOLLOWING a gruelling struggle, a Cape Town writer and activist has written a book to shed light on the challenges faced in obtaining a diagnosis for endometriosis. It also aims to educate the public on signs to look out for, for the often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed condition. Nadine Dirks, 27, is the author of the memoir Hot Water, which delves into her experience living with endometriosis, with the book written as a means to create awareness around the condition. Endometriosis Awareness Month is also commemorated annually in March. For Dirks, it took seven years to get a correct diagnosis. “My diagnosis journey has been quite difficult because for several years no one knew what was wrong with me and there were hostile healthcare providers that made it hard to get…

Unlike the schools of our youth, apps must survive in the free market of our attention and must engineer their own luck if they are to thrive – and given everything available to us at our fingertips through our phones, educational platforms will need all the luck they can get. When it comes to competing in an over-saturated market of online distractions, educational apps must turn to those with a pedigree in digital transformation – not just as a purely technical service. Yes, companies providing such a service can help build a solid technical foundation for any app’s online teaching efforts, but digital transformation means more than just creating a functional database. In helping an educator reach the greatest audience possible in South Africa, a functioning app is only the…

Your edition Thursday, March 14, 2024 – “IEC may have redeemed itself by firing employee who leaked lists”, refers. In essence, I don’t believe the IEC redeemed itself because it was its porous system that allowed the employee to break the law. It is a disgrace that the system was so basic that an individual could extract lists in the first place. A leak like this gives a public a bad impression, never mind the anxiety it caused to the political parties subject to the leak. Not only should the individual be dismissed but criminal action should be taken.…

It was not wholly unexpected when Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus revealed he would be carefully considering who would be the next captain of his team in the coming weeks. Siya Kolisi is undoubtedly an icon of the game, but every summer must come to an end. Kolisi, 33 years old in June, is arguably in the twilight of his career, and when the next World Cup rolls around in 2027, he will be 37, with a career full of monumental highs, staggering lows and a bevy of debilitating injuries behind him. There is no doubt he still has value to add to the national set-up, but planning the defence of the Webb Ellis Cup around his leadership in four years’ time in Australia is certainly a long shot. As legendary…

STELLENBOSCH FC remained on course for a second cup conquest this season after their 6-1 win over Milford FC last week, ensuring the Winelands-based side are now considered among the favourites to win the Nedbank Cup. The scoreline was the club’s biggest win in a cup competition since Stellies’ promotion into the top flight. Steve Barker, the Stellenbosch coach, revealed that his team’s objective was to control the game from the onset. “My message to the team before the match was that we must start well,” said Barker. “It is important that when you play teams from the lower tier that you impose yourself on the match from the start. You don’t give teams from the lower divisions a feeling that they have a chance of winning. “We executed well…

THE Warriors extended their unbeaten run to four matches as they beat the Rocks by 33 runs on the DLS Method at St George’s Park in the fifth round of the Cricket SA T20 Challenge. Warriors’ quicks Beyers Swanepoel and Anrich Nortje took the new ball and led the attack as they looked to defend 166 against the Rocks, a team that went into the fixture without a victory. Swanepoel struck twice in the first over, claiming the wickets of the Malan brothers, Janneman and Pieter. Janneman (one), looking to nullify Swanepoel’s swing, took a few steps down the wicket but did so too early, as Swanepoel spotted him in time to adapt his line and lengths. Swanepoel bowled short and wide, a strategy that led to the batter playing…

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said he is more interested in building a competitive team than in finishing in the Top 4 of the Premier League, after his side were beaten 3-0 by Fulham on Saturday. Tottenham would have moved above Aston Villa into fourth place in the standings with a win, but the defeat ensured Postecoglou's side remained in fifth with 53 points from 28 games. Asked if Tottenham could still finish fourth and secure the final Champions League qualifying spot, the Australian said: "I don't see fourth as the prize. “I don't want to finish fourth if we haven't grown and developed as a team. Part of the narrative is to push you in these kinds of positions where you think that fourth is some kind of achievement…