Innehållsförteckning för 2024-06-18 från Cape Argus

TWO cyclists who came under attack from knife-wielding suspects in Simon’s Town at the weekend were fortunate to get away, but another was shot and killed while riding his bicycle near Brackenfell. At around 4pm on Saturday, a man and his nephew were cycling at Kleinplaas Dam in Simon’s Town when they were mugged by four knife-wielding men. During the altercation their dog, a husky named Skye, ran off and has been missing since the attack. One of the cyclists was stabbed and the other left unharmed. Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said the Simon’s Town police opened a robbery case for further investigation. “Information reveals that the complainant and his uncle were riding their bicycles when they were accosted by an adult male and three juveniles who threatened them with…

AS SCHOOLS closed for the June holidays on Friday, two teenagers were murdered in separate incidents, leaving their families heartbroken. One of them was shot as he went to school to fetch his report in Lower Crossroads. The other, Linathi Makinana, 18, was with his friends when he was killed in Ocean View. Makinana’s mother said she believes her son was killed because of jealousy. The Grade 11 learner at Masiphumelele High School was hacked with a panga and died in hospital. Xoliswa Makinana, 54, said: “I was at work when I received a call at around 2pm telling me that my son had been injured. “I went to the hospital and seeing him in that condition will forever haunt me. The suspects broke his skull with the panga, and…

IN CELEBRATION of Youth Day, The Open Mosque in Wynberg yesterday invited a panel of representatives of Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Hinduism, with the youngest being 19 years old, to address the relevance of faith and religion among the youth. A close to three-hour open discussion was held inside the prayer room at the mosque, where the panellists spoke on why religion is important to them and their perception of their faith. The floor was then opened to the audience to comment and some questioned why so many young people do not show interest in religion and the difference between faith and religion. President of The Open Mosque, Professor Taj Hargey, said the motivation behind the event was to create a peaceful, harmonious society. “We are the only mosque who…

I AM done. I have lived and tried to participate in the change I believe in. This façade of a Government of National Unity reads “Coalition of Genocide Enablers”. Evil is rendered halaal. Like the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, I borrow from Francis Fukuyama. This is the end of history and the end of the ANC. I have nothing more to contribute. In Kahlil Gibran’s refrain: “A little while, a moment of rest upon the wind, and another woman shall bear me.” Peace be unto you, Azania. To my children whom I’ve failed, another Hector Pieterson must be born. You deserve so much more. |…

“(So-called) coloureds are sell-outs. They keep the (so-called) whites in power.” This is a statement I for the longest time have despised. A mere 30 years after the dawn of democracy, and this statement is no longer just true for the not-very-welcomed third wheel in the negotiated social and political relationships in the Republic of South Africa. Born and bred in ||Hui !Gaeb, now internationally known as Cape Town, the truth in this has been felt since the successfully-indoctrinated “coloured” demographic voted in favour of the National Party (NP) in the 1990s. Over the years, the Western Cape has for the most part remained under the administration of the European descendants. This was continued with the NP’s successor, the DA. In response to the results of the 2024 national elections,…

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit North Korea this week for the first time in 24 years, the two countries said, a rare trip that underscores Moscow’s burgeoning partnership with the nuclear-armed state. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un extended an invitation to Putin during a visit to Russia’s Far East last September. Putin last visited Pyongyang in July 2000. “At the invitation of the Chairman of State Affairs of the DPRK, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin will pay a friendly state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on June 18-19,” the Kremlin said. North Korea’s state news agency KCNA also announced the visit but offered no further details. Putin will then visit Vietnam on June 19-20, the Kremlin said. Both visits had been expected, although the dates…

BLANTYRE: Malawians gathered to mourn Vice-President Saulos Klaus Chilima amid heavy security yesterday, a day after people from his home district launched protests over the government’s response to the plane crash that killed him and eight others last week. Chilima, 51, was laid to rest in his village of Nsipe in the district of Ntcheu, about 160km southeast of the capital Lilongwe. The evening before, crowds blockaded the road and threw stones at vehicles in the funeral cortege as it arrived. On Sunday evening, a car travelling crashed into the crowd, killing four people and injuring more than a dozen, police said. | Reuters…

SUSPICIOUS banking activities and cellphone tracking led to the arrest of three alleged kidnappers in Woodstock at the weekend. After receiving a complaint about a 50-year-old man’s abduction on Friday, Hawks detectives investigated the irregular banking activities and managed to track the suspects to a house in the neighbourhood. Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said three suspects between the ages of 33 and 37 years were arrested. “The multi-disciplinary kidnapping team which comprises the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, provincial Organised Crime, the Maitland Flying Squad as well as Sabric and the FIC arrested three kidnappers between the ages of 33 and 37 years as part of efforts to rid the state of crime. “Upon receiving the information, an analysis was made linking the information to suspicious banking activities and…

Former SAA board chairperson Dudu Myeni will be laid to rest at her home in KwaZulu-Natal this weekend. Yesterday, the JG Zuma Foundation shared a poster announcing Myeni’s funeral service will take place at Ugu Sports Centre in Port Shepstone, KZN, on Saturday at 9.30am. She was serving as foundation chairperson at the time of her death. Since the announcement, ordinary South Africans and politicians sent tributes and condolences to the Myeni family. EFF MP Carl Niehaus said he was shocked and filled with sadness. He said Myeni was very loyal and passionate supporter of former president Jacob Zuma. “I’ve known Dudu Myeni for many years, a person who was committed to black African liberation. I’ve known her as someone who worked hard as chair of SAA to bring transformation…

THE Western Cape has recorded its first case of monkeypox (mpox), bringing the country’s total number of cases to seven, with two fatalities reported. The Department of Health said a 39-year-old man was admitted to a private health facility in the province on on May 28, and his results were confirmed on June 13. “The patient presented with extensive lesions and he is RVD positive with an unknown CD4,” the department said. It said as in the case of number six, the latest patient listed his residential address as Northcliff, Gauteng. “The effectiveness of contract tracing and case finding depends on the co-operation and accuracy of information provided by both confirmed and suspected cases,” the department said. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases last week announced that at least…

It’s become crystal clear that the breakaway ANC section – calling itself MK under the spell of the “arch wizard of odd” Jacob Zuma – intends to take over the role of the EFF in disrupting Parliament and the country by destabilising efforts to ensure the growth that’s desperately needed in order to attract foreign investment. Zuma has manipulated the law for more than 20 years in order stay out of prison for his misdemeanours. The cost of doing so must have cost tens of millions of rand. One wonders who paid for this? What’s apparent with the ANC having been cut in half, thanks to Zuma, is that his wings have been clipped and he’s destined to spend the rest of his political life running in circles with the…

Global aviation is once again in the headlines, which now seems to be happening every week, raising concerns about flying safety. Last week, a Boeing 737 Max was damaged during a flight after it experienced an unusual manoeuvre called “A Dutch Roll” at 34 000 feet. A statement issued by the FAA alleges that Boeing and Airbus may have used “counterfeit” titanium on commercial planes. Records were falsified by suppliers on the quality of the titanium supplied. It is an extremely serious development considering the critical role played by titanium in crucial aircraft flight profiles. It is used in landing gears, blades, turbine discs, fasteners, passenger seats, engine frames and engine fan blades. Any compromise on the quality of these components will lead to disaster. The troubling issue of bogus…

IN the Libyan village of Kabaw in the Nafusa Mountains, M’hamed Maakaf waters an ailing fig tree as climate change pushes villagers to forsake lands and livestock. Once flourishing and known for its figs, olives and almonds, fields around Kabaw, located some 200km south-west of Tripoli, are now mostly barren and battered by climate change-induced drought. The area was once “green and prosperous until the beginning of the millennium,” Maakaf recalled. “People loved to come here and take walks but today it has become so dry that it’s unbearable.” “We no longer see the green meadows we knew in the 1960s and ‘70s,” added the 65-year-old, wearing a traditional white tunic and sirwal trousers. Kabaw, like many villages in the Nafusa Mountains, is primarily inhabited by the Amazigh people, a…

ROME: Ten migrants have died and dozens of others are feared missing after two shipwrecks off Italy, a migrant rescue charity and the coastguard said yesterday. Rescuers coming to the aid of migrants on a wooden boat off Lampedusa found 10 bodies below deck, the German aid group ResQship posted on X. The crew aboard ResQship’s vessel, the Nadir, “is currently caring for 51 people on board. The rescue came too late for 10 people,” the German charity said. “A total of 61 people were on the wooden boat, which was full of water. Our crew was able to evacuate 51 people, two of whom were unconscious and had to be cut free with an axe.” | AFP…

PARIS: More than one billion dollars (R18bn) will be pledged towards ramping up vaccine production in Africa at a summit held in Paris this week, France said yesterday. A “new mechanism to accelerate the financing of vaccine production on the African continent” would be launched during the summit on Thursday, which will be attended by several African leaders and the heads of the World Health Organization and the Gavi vaccine alliance, the French president’s office said. The amount committed by donors “will exceed a billion dollars”, the presidential Elysée Palace said. | AFP…

KZN-born artist Zoë Modiga grew up listening to the music of artists like Judith Sephuma, Brenda Fassie and Lebo Mathosa, which ultimately shaped her music career. Garnering inspiration from these talented performers and many others, she’s managed to secure her place as one of the best jazz and soul artists in South Africa, from this generation. Her ability to infuse her music with cultural richness and emotional depth has helped cement her as a leading voice in contemporary African music. For this reason, the multi- award-winning musician has been announced as Spotify’s EQUAL Ambassador, a title that fosters equity for women in the music and audio space. Known for her dynamic voice, innovative compositions and deep connection to her cultural roots, her catalogue includes successful albums like Harmonic Soul,…

TWO people have been arrested after a dead body was discovered in a vehicle at a roadblock in Durban. Metro Police spokesperson, Boysie Zungu, said the vehicle was travelling along the M41 when the driver and his passenger were stopped. Zungu said the driver started to get jittery and attempted to flee from law enforcement officers at the scene when the officers gave chase. Upon investigation, and a search of the vehicle, a human body was discovered wrapped in plastic, he said. “Medical personnel were called to the scene and confirmed that the person was dead. “The two suspects have been detained at the Durban North SAPS station, where further investigations will follow. “We take this opportunity to commend our members for a job well done in apprehending the two…

A SOUTHERN suburbs family says it is still reeling in shock after what was supposed to be a pleasant trip to Canal Walk turned violent for their 16-year-old moments before the mall was due to close. The incident on Saturday, captured on video, saw a gang of youngsters attack some of the mall’s patrons in the food court. One of the victims, a 16-year-old boy, was allegedly attacked and injured for not responding to a question when confronted by the group. According to his mother, Nadia Ross, the teen was asked in Afrikaans whether or not he was in a gang, but he remained quiet because he was unfamiliar with the group of boys and uncomfortable conversing in Afrikaans. “My son wasn’t comfortable speaking with these boys and he…

THE first commander of the apartheid-era SADF’s 32 Batallion, Colonel (Ret) Jan Dirk Breytenbach, has died. He was 91. According to a statement from his family, he died peacefully, surrounded by his family at 12.30pm on Sunday in the George Mediclinic. He was also the brother of anti-apartheid poet and artist Breyten Breytenbach. Breytenbach, who retired from the SADF in 1987, was a Special Forces officer and the first commander of 1 Reconnaissance Commando, South Africa's first Special Forces unit. Later he would become the first commander of the SADF’s 32 Battalion and 44 Parachute Brigade. The 32 Battalion became notorious for its part in the brutal nature of the SADF’s war in Angola. Many 32 Battalion veterans became mercenaries in the failed coup de’tat in Equatorial Guinea 20 years…

THE City has officially given Newlands and Eastlake Island residents the go-ahead to form their own respective Community Improvement Districts (CIDs). CIDs are organisations established by communities to enhance and supplement municipal services in terms of section 5(1) of the CID By-law. The activities conducted under CIDs include public safety and protecting the natural and built environment of the area. According to the City, the approval for the two communities to form their CIDs followed submissions by residents that outlined the necessity for CIDs in their areas. Deputy mayor and spatial planning and environment Mayco member Eddie Andrews said that the approval demonstrated the City’s commitment to partner with communities and to empower residents to take initiatives in their development. “Both these areas provided sufficient evidence to justify the need…

Heads you win, tail you lose. Jacob Zuma made an emphatic return to politics by playing a pivotal role in his new party, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), making a resounding success in the elections. It pushed aside the EFF and became the third largest party in the National Assembly. In the provincial elections in KZN it won an overwhelming majority. Its members celebrated, they thought they had KZN securely in their fold. Sadly, it was not to be. The ANC, DA and IFP banded together and ousted the MKP from the provincial legislature. The same thing happened at national level. The ANC teamed up with the DA, the IFP and the Patriotic Alliance to form a multiparty democratic government to govern South Africa for the next five years. Left…

As we welcome in our new administration, we must also remember that the previous administration had commissioned a green paper on developing a national policy on homelessness, and that we have a duty to ensure this policy is informed by fact and a lived experience. This is a first and so it is important to get the reality and lived experience of homelessness out there in order to combat the many preconceived ideas and false narratives that currently dominate these discussions. My message to all those that truly want to help address homelessness and advocate for a workable and effective policy on addressing homelessness is that you challenge ignorance and empower yourself with true knowledge about homelessness. There are enough insights, strategies, and facts that can assist in debunking misleading…

Ahead of tomorrow’s inauguration of President Cyril Ramaphosa, significant deliberations loom regarding the structure and agenda of South Africa’s 7th democratic administration. Despite leading the ANC to its poorest election results in three decades, Ramaphosa projects a composed demeanour as he prepares for his final term in office. Reports at the weekend suggested that the size of government might need expansion to accommodate the ANC’s coalition partners within Ramaphosa’s new Cabinet. Currently, the taxpayer bears the burden of funding approximately R1.5 billion annually for the 64 members of South Africa’s executive, including ministers and deputies. While smaller parties like the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and IFP did not sway the election significantly, the allure of Cabinet positions offers them a chance to bolster their national presence and gather resources ahead of…

Moscow: A suspected outbreak of a rare and extremely dangerous food poisoning in Moscow left more than 120 people seeking medical help and at least 30 in intensive care, health officials said yesterday. The patients were admitted to hospital with suspected food-borne botulism, a life-threatening condition that attacks the nervous system and can cause respiratory failure and paralysis. Russian authorities said the toxic outbreak came from salads distributed by a popular online delivery service, which on Sunday temporarily suspended its operations amid a criminal investigation. | AFP…

PORTUGAL striker Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to make more European Championship history this summer. The veteran forward, 39, says his team “deserve” to win another major international trophy to add to their singular triumph at Euro 2016. Portugal kick off their tournament against Czech Republic in Leipzig today (9pm kick-off) with Ronaldo set to start and appear at a record- extending sixth Euros. Roberto Martinez’s side qualified with a 100 percent record and should progress with ease from Group F, which also contains Turkey and Georgia. “I believe this generation deserves to win a competition of this magnitude,” Ronaldo said on arrival in Germany, setting his sights on the Henri Delaunay trophy. The former Real Madrid hitman triumphed with Portugal in 2016 but limped off injured against France in the…