Innehållsförteckning för 2024-09-16 från Cape Argus

A WELL-known construction family is set to sue the State for malicious prosecution after Ridwaan Rajah won an appeal in the Western Cape High Court after being convicted for theft and perjury last year. The director of Good Hope Construction was left distraught after being sent to Pollsmoor Prison for 25 days after his conviction for a crime his family maintained he did not commit. The prominent family was thrust into the spotlight in 2022 when their elderly father, Ismail, was kidnapped and held in captivity for 111 days. At the time, police said they…

Keith Khoza, acting spokesperson for Deputy President Paul Mashatile, has assured South Africans that the leader is well. Mashatile was rushed to hospital on Saturday afternoon after fainting on stage, the Presidency said. “While delivering his keynote address, the deputy president felt lightheaded from the heat and was attended to by his medical team,” Khoza said. “We can confirm that the deputy president has received the necessary medical attention and is well.” Mashatile collapsed while attending the N’wamitwa Day Celebrations held at Valoyi Cultural Village, Greater Tzaneen, Mopani District, in Limpopo. Earlier, SABC News reported Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba said Mashatile was fine after the collapse. Mashatile was addressing the day in his capacity as chairperson of the Presidential task team and was speaking about Traditional and Khoisan leaders.…

RESIDENTS and business owners have been encouraged to collaborate with the City in refining its draft local spatial development framework to improve access within the CBD and interventions to make the area more pedestrian and cycle friendly. The draft framework is open for public comment until October 31. It proposes interventions at pedestrian hot spots to manage conflict with vehicular movement and improve pedestrian safety. The spatial policy document is also intended to shape the CBD area’s development guidelines in terms of its urban form approach towards height management and character assessment. Once approved, the framework will guide decisions about land use and development, density, transportation, and urban design. It will inform public investment in infrastructure to facilitate the CBD’s transition into a sustainable, equitable, inclusive, liveable and resilient space…

The dim light is shining on the mighty Kaizer Chiefs and all seems to be well after a hard-fought opening victory against Marumo Gallants but new coach Nasreddine Nabi knows there is still much work to do, while also asking for patience as the journey to the end of the tunnel will still be one with many oscillating fortunes. Through the storms of past performances, Nabi and Co’s future seemingly began successfully at a Free State Stadium filled to capacity. The Amakhosi’s early discovery of form under the guidance of their new mentor didn’t take long to gain momentum and confidence, following their come- from-behind 2-1 victory against the Bloemfontein-based side. The Soweto Giants returned to Betway Premiership action after a disappointing end to their previous campaign, where they finished…

A new era in European club football will begin this week when the first games are played in the expanded Champions League, amid curiosity about the rejigged format as well as growing concerns over an ever-increasing number of matches. Uefa, the European game’s governing body, sensed the need for change at a time when the traditional group stage was becoming more predictable and the continent’s biggest clubs were threatening to break away and form their own Super League. The result is a league phase featuring 36 clubs – four more teams than in the past – with everyone playing eight matches against eight different opponents, two more games than previously. The action starts in earnest tomorrow, when reigning champions Real Madrid begin their quest for a record-extending 16th title with…

Oscar Piastri delivered a cool performance on and off the track yesterday after his measured drive to win a tense and dramatic Azerbaijan GP lifted McLaren past Red Bull in the race for the constructors’ championship. His win ended Red Bull’s more than two-year domination and confirmed that McLaren are now the team to beat having outscored all their rivals in the past seven races. In a battle of attrition on the fast and technical 6km Baku street circuit, the 23-year-old Australian drove with control and aplomb to beat Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who started on pole for the fourth consecutive year. “Well,” said the Australian with his trademark understatement on the team radio. “That was the most stressful afternoon of my life. “Thanks for the car! What a day that…

THEIR participation in the CAF Champions League group stages essentially guaranteed after good first-leg victories in the second preliminary round, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates will now turn their attention to the domestic game. The Brazilians – 4-0 victors ‘away’ to Mbabane Swallows – open the defence of their league title with a tricky Tshwane derby against SuperSport United tomorrow, while the Buccaneers, who beat Jwaneng Galaxy 2-0 in Gaborone, host Chippa United on Wednesday. They are arguably the country’s top two clubs and the most likely challengers for the championship – although Sundowns are hot favourites to add an eighth successive title. They will hope to kick-start their campaign with convincing victories. Manqoba Mngqithi and Sundowns would have left Gavin Hunt a little worried given the ease with which…

A TEENAGER has been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of a 91-year-old woman in Bityi in the Eastern Cape. Provincial police said the 18-year-old allegedly fatally strangled the elderly woman and attempted to kill the woman’s daughter. The incident took place in the Ncokazi locality on Friday. Eastern Cape police spokesperson, Welile Matyolo, said according to information at police’s disposal, the suspect entered the victim’s home at around 2am. “He attacked the elderly woman while she was asleep in her bedroom,” Matyolo said. “He then proceeded to the second bedroom, where he attacked the second victim who is the deceased’s daughter.” Matyolo said it is further alleged that a struggle between the two ensued, and the suspect managed to flee. “The victim immediately summoned her neighbours for assistance.…

THE Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) has not only lost its position as the leading commuter service operator in the country, but has negatively affected low-income earners, who are forced to commute in taxis. Prasa acting CEO Nathaniel Roesch last week filed a court application to operate the Afro 4000 locomotives, which were previously deemed “too tall” for large portions of the country’s rail network, which marked the beginning of the collapse of the agency. The liquidators of Swifambo, the company appointed in 2012 to supply locomotives worth R3.5 billion to Prasa from a Spanish company, Vossloh, are now seeking direction from the court on how the remaining locomotives can be distributed to Prasa, in an effort to revive its long-distance passenger train services. In recent court papers, Roesch…

Teboho Maruping, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) commissioner, was placed on precautionary suspension on Friday over his involvement in the irregular R5 billion Thuja Capital jobs scheme. Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth said the decision was taken following a briefing by acting director-general, Viwe Mlenzana, on Maruping’s alleged involvement in the R5bn jobs scheme which the fund entered into with Thuja Capital. “The commissioner has been placed on precautionary suspension, due to the nature of charges he is facing. These emanate, inter alia, from the alleged role he played in the conclusion of the agreement between the UIF and Thuja Holdings led by Mr Mthunzi Mdwaba, amounting to R5bn,” the statement read. This is the second time that Maru-ping has been placed on suspension. He was also suspended in…

PAROW and Elsies River residents gathered on Saturday for a special event to commemorate the members of the public who lost their lives due to gang violence. Family members of the victims, along with ward councillor Franchesca Walker and the Parow Community Policing Forum (CPF), were joined by MEC for Policing Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais, as they planted trees in memory of the victims. Bronwin Daniels of the Parow CPF said hearing the ages of some of the children who were killed was deeply emotional and heartbreaking. “Seeing their memory honoured through this ceremony was profoundly beautiful. “This initiative by the community members in Parow was truly a meaningful and lasting tribute. “There are kids who are still young who have lost their fathers, who will treasure these…

Gabriel Magalhaes headed Arsenal to a 1-0 win at Tottenham yesterday as the Gunners overcame the absence of key midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard to extend their north London derby dominance. Mikel Arteta’s side were without skipper Odegaard due to an ankle injury suffered on Norway duty, while Rice served a suspension for his red card against Brighton. Losing two such influential players appeared to make Arsenal vulnerable on their trip up the Seven Sisters Road to face their bitter rivals. But the Premier League title contenders dug deep with a combative display, benefiting from Tottenham’s latest display of wasteful finishing before Gabriel bagged the winner in the second half. The Brazilian defender’s first goal since February made it three wins from four league games for unbeaten Arsenal as…

There have been disappointments aplenty for the Lions in recent years, but on Saturday they had the opportunity to celebrate a small victory that could catapult them to larger glory. In overcoming the Free State Cheetahs 43-34, the Lions progressed to their first Currie Cup final since 2019, and the first championship match in the famous old stadium since 2015. They finished sixth in the cup last year and last two years in a row – in 2021 and 2022. At the United Rugby Championship (URC) level, they have fallen short twice in their pursuit of a top-eight finish in the past two campaigns – last season only on matches won. Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi, who had to endure those terrible lows with the Currie Cup side, was pleased that…

Cape Town City relinquished a one-goal half-time lead to share the spoils with Royal AM thanks to an 85th-minute strike by Royal AM’s Motebang Sera on the opening day of the new Betway Premiership season. The opening 45 minutes was one-way traffic for the Citizens and perhaps they should have had a bigger lead, but an unexpected spirited second-half showing by the home side saw them show their true potential with their backs to the wall. Royal AM approached this season as one of the favourites to possibly be involved in the relegation battle, given their inability to sign players after a Fifa ban. John Maduka, at the helm of the Pietermaritzburg-based side, has had to ransack the club’s academy ranks in search of depth and squad refreshment. However,…

Richards Bay (0) 1 Allen 22’ TS Galaxy (0) 0 A solitary Keagan Allen header was enough to see Richards Bay edge TS Galaxy 1-0 at the King Zwelithini Stadium yesterday. The Natal Rich Boyz survived a resurgent Rockets display in the second stanza to ensure they opened their 2024/2025 season with a victory. For the third season in a row, Richards Bay kicked off their season in uMlazi with their usual travelling group adding to the ambience. With new money, new players and a new coach, the Natal Rich Boyz placed all their toys on display as Brandon Truter fielded four of the club’s new signings. On-loan Mamelodi Sundowns forward Thabang Sibanyoni led the line supported by winger Siboniso Conco, while Siyethemba Sighe held down midfield. However,…

HEARTBROKEN Bishop Lavis residents gathered at the weekend to say their final goodbyes to slain delivery man Misheck Sambani, 34, before his body was flown to his home country of Malawi, today. In an emotional memorial service held at the Azhaar Fisheries and Takeaways, his colleagues and customers gathered to share their memories of the friendly delivery man as they released doves and balloons into the air. It comes a week after the father of the one was viciously stabbed to death during a robbery while making a delivery in Valhalla Park. At the time, his employers and owners of Azhaar Fisheries and Takeaways, Kulsum Salie and Mudassir Chikate, said that he was knifed to death by thieves who wanted his cellphone. The incident happened at about10 am as…

FORMER Minister Pravin Gordhan has been granted an official State funeral. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday declared that the Struggle stalwart and Cabinet veteran will be honoured with a special official funeral category 2 on September 19. The Presidency said the funeral would encompass ceremonial elements performed by the SAPS. It added that details of the occasion would be made known in the coming days. Gordhan died in the early hours of Friday following an illness. He was 75 years old. The Presidency said Ramaphosa had visited Gordhan in his final hours and paid tribute to the former minister as a leader who had fought to liberate South Africa from the shackles of apartheid, from inequality, from poverty and from hunger. Gordhan served as Minister of Finance from 2009 until…

A GRADE 4 learner at Hibernia Primary School in George has tragically died after swallowing a R5 coin. Western Cape Education Department spokesperson, Millicent Merton, said the incident took place on the school’s premises. “We are deeply saddened by the death of an 11-year-old Grade 4 learner. “It is suspected that he accidentally swallowed a coin while entering a classroom on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. “Despite the swift response and best efforts of the school staff, including trained first aid responders, he tragically passed away.” Merton said the district organised trauma counselling for his classmates, teachers and staff at the school. “We would like to extend our condolences to his family and friends, as well as the broader school community,” she said. Police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie, said Conville SAPS opened…

Before commencement of the 9th Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) in Beijing, which ran from September 4 to 6, President Cyril Ramaphosa preceded his FOCAC attendance by honouring the invitation of China’s President Xi Jinping to undertake a state visit to China. During the September 2 talks, the two heads of state announced the elevation of the SA-China relationship to an all-round strategic co-operative partnership in the new era and several bilateral agreements set to boost and deepen trade relations, dispelling any scepticism about the capability of Pretoria’s Government of National Unity (GNU) to maintain a coherent foreign policy particularly towards China. The GNU, which is the seventh administration since the advent of democracy in South Africa, is made up of nine political parties, with different ideologies. The ANC, which…

The equation is simple: a win on Saturday evening in Argentina will be enough to see the Springboks crowned Rugby Championship winners. If they can’t get any points out of the clash in Santiago del Estero, the champagne will have to be placed on ice until at least next weekend, when the sides meet in Mbombela in the final Test of the southern hemisphere competition. The Springboks arrived in South America yesterday and the 28-man squad will have a full week of preparation to adjust to what Los Pumas will ask of them. For half of the week, the world champions will stay and prepare in Buenos Aires before making the trip to Santiago del Estero on Wednesday night, where they will put the final touches in place ahead of…

Laura Wolvaardt revealed the Proteas Women will use the three-match series against Pakistan to fine-tune their team ahead of the start of the T20 World Cup in just over two weeks in the United Arab Emirates. The Proteas will be locked in battle against Pakistan in the Punjab Province, in the south of Pakistan, with the first clash set to get under way at Multan International Stadium at 4pm today. Pakistan beat the Proteas 3-0 the last time they met last year, and since then Wolvaardt and her South African side haven’t had the best of outings in the T20 format, despite having reached the final of the 2023 World Cup as the hosts. The 25-year-old will go into the tournament leading the way for South Africa, not only as…

Sharks coach John Plumtree seemed uncertain whether to laugh or cry after his team played out of their socks to inch past the Bulls in the Currie Cup semi-final in Pretoria. At the final whistle of extra-time, there was much for the Sharks to celebrate – the final against the Lions this week gives them an opportunity to add the Currie Cup to the Challenge Cup – but the extra week of Currie Cup activity impacts on their preparations for the United Rugby Championship. On the Monday after the Currie Cup final, the Sharks travel to Galway to play Connacht in the opening round of the URC, and they continue overseas to play the Dragons and Benetton. They could have done with some time off to rest and prepare, but…

Arne Slot got his first taste of defeat as Liverpool boss on Saturday as his side lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, with visiting manager Nuno Espirito Santo outfoxing the Dutchman in a fascinating encounter. Forest got their tactics spot on, packing the centre of midfield and crowding out Liverpool’s wide players. And although the home side had some decent chances in the first half, they were not clinical enough in front of goal. “The result frustrates the most, and we cannot be happy about how the game went. It was a stop-start game and we hardly created any chances,” lamented Slot. “We only have to look at ourselves – we have to be better. Far too many times we lost the ball around the area, it…