Innehållsförteckning för 2024-10-29 från Cape Argus

THREE of the five minors accused of raping a 14-year-old girl and recording it have been arrested. Police said detectives attached to the Mitchell’s Plain Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit made the arrests on Wednesday, October 23. The suspects, aged 17, 14, and 12, now face charges related to rape and the manufacturing of child pornography. Police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie, said the trio made their first court appearance in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, however, nobody was allowed in court due to the sensitivity and age of the suspects and victim. “Two suspects aged 10 and 11 were handed into the care of their parents subject to intervention by the Department of Social Development and SAPS forensic social workers,” said Pojie. The girl opened…

The DA condemns the recent Mozambican presidential election, which was marred by widespread irregularities, violence, and political assassinations. The Mozambican electoral commission’s declaration of Daniel Chapo as president – with a claimed 70.6% of the vote – is not only suspect but indicative of a deeply compromised electoral process. Reports of blatant fraud, vote tampering, and intimidation have cast a dark shadow over Mozambique’s democracy. Observers, including the EU, documented “irregularities during counting and unjustified alterations of results at polling stations”. The violent assassination of advisers to Venâncio Mondlane, Chapo’s leading opponent, has added to an atmosphere of fear and suppression. The SADC has a critical role to play in ensuring peace, democracy, and stability in the region. We call on the SADC to urgently intervene and demand an independent…

Lately, there has been a debate about the dominance of foreign nationals in the tuck shop sector. Some migrant outlets dabble with cash card and airtime transactions as authorised retailers. Yet most are operated by illegal immigrants. This exposes the complicity of banks and cellphone companies in the violation of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act. The debate comes at the time when there has been a slew of deaths involving children. Unsurprisingly, food poisoning is at the centre of these deaths with self-packaged foodstuff suspected to have been contaminated by a chemical agent commonly used to kill rats. What is to be done? Needless to say the interest groups have been calling for government to audit all tuck shops with a view to ring-fence such a model business as the…

Setswana author Helen Kgobane remembers growing up with her grandmothers telling her stories about ancient African rulers around the fire. She speaks fondly of the importance of oral storytelling and how this is part of a proud history of African tradition. She worries that in our modern age, it is falling by the wayside. IsiZulu author and illustrator Themba Maboso agrees. He is passionate about promoting local voices and contexts. “African children can’t see themselves in stories like Cinderella,” he believes. There is increasing research that backs up the view that children learn to read better and faster when they hear and see words in their mother tongue. It also helps in learning additional languages and has a range of other improved educational outcomes. Drop-out rates are addressed, classroom engagement…

The box office Springbok squad currently in Jersey is hard at work, preparing for their upcoming tour opener against Scotland. The ensemble features the same cast that delivered a stunning 48-7 victory over Argentina, and it is unlikely that coach Rassie Erasmus will change the script ahead of a crucial clash. In the emphatic Rugby Championship clincher held in Mbombela, the Boks showcased their prowess, and now Erasmus has opted for the same match 23 for the three-match tour, supported by an additional 12 players. The team, having last played on 28 September, will face Scotland on November 10, prompting Erasmus to take them to an exclusive training resort on the largest island in the English Channel. He aims to shake off any rust and prepare for what is essentially…

New research commissioned by Sanlam uncovers a significant insight: South Africans will not openly talk about income, wills, investments and savings, and debt. This silence, highlighted in Sanlam’s research, is a significant barrier to improving financial literacy and confidence. Now’s the time to talk about the topics we traditionally shy away from. There are myriad benefits to having brave conversations about the F(inance) word. Mariska Oosthuizen, Chief Marketing Officer at Sanlam, explains that 43% of the 1,581 survey participants said talking about their income is off-limits. Additionally, 33% avoid discussing their wills, 32% avoid conversations about savings or investments, and 30% won’t speak about debt. “It’s difficult to talk about money and mortality for many reasons, from cultural complexities to fear of judgement and wealth guilt. “Our research shows that…

THE murder, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm charges against one of the three accused arrested for their involvement in Thursday night’s bloody massacre in Bishop Lavis has been withdrawn. The Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court was filled with police ahead of the court case involving the trio yesterday. However, to the surprise of many court goers, only two of the accused appeared, a 17-year-old and 27-year-old Austin Spandiel. Everyone from police to the media were barred from entering the court, due to one of the accused being a minor. Police spokesperson, Novela Potelwa, confirmed the charges against the third accused were withdrawn. Western Cape police commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, confirmed the arrests and said the suspects were picked up in the area and were in possession of a firearm. The…

The City Of Cape Town and Mayor Geordin Hill Lewis need to explain to the ratepayers of Cape Town why it is that they are not honouring the promises they have made and keep making in court to those living on the streets. The City keeps going to court to evict those living on the streets in public spaces. In court and in the Mayor’s short, now well known videos addressing the issue of homelessness, both the City and Mayor keep repeating a long list of services offered and benefits for those living on the streets that decide to move to the City Safe Spaces. Yet, it seems in most cases, these services are not easily accessed by the individuals being evicted from certain hotspots and who agree to go…

In today’s fast-paced world, consumers expect instant, convenient communication. With over two billion users, WhatsApp has become the platform of choice for personal and business interactions alike. Businesses without a WhatsApp line or smartbot integration are missing out on a vital opportunity to engage customers right where they spend most of their smartphone screen time. Smartbots, when deployed on WhatsApp, can handle everything from answering FAQs to managing complex tasks like contract cancellations. This approach is critical for enhancing customer trust and satisfaction, while also improving conversion rates. For example, FlySafair’s use of WhatsApp smartbots for check-in services demonstrates how businesses can streamline operations and boost convenience for their customers. By failing to meet customers where they are, South African businesses risk losing as much as a third of their…

The GOOD Party calls on Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana to prove he is prioritising rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. On Wednesday, Godongwana will deliver his Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, the first since the Government of National Unity was formed in June. Although the ‘mini-budget’ is not a policy-setting event we expect to see indications that we are heading to credible fiscal reforms discussed in the GNU statement of intent. South Africans have suffered the crippling effects of an under-performing economy, which has failed to create jobs or eliminate inequality and poverty. Each year’s budget speech and medium term budget policy statement deliver sets of commitments that haven’t changed a thing. We must revise the budgeting template we roll over each year, eliminate unnecessary and wasteful expenditure, and urgently…

The rate of food poisoning and contamination incidents involving children across South Africa and more importantly the deaths of six who ate contaminated snacks is alarming. More than 200 children across South Africa have been hospitalised after eating tainted food which they bought from spaza shops. This month alone, 47 pupils from Rapelego Primary School in Hammanskraal were hospitalised after consuming expired chocolates. Then, more than 70 Grade 12 pupils from Gauteng schools experienced similar symptoms during a matric camp. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced that the recent food poisoning cases were declared a national security threat. Rightfully so. This series of events, not limited to Gauteng and Mpumalanga has sounded the alarm with the authorities but urgent intervention is needed. It is all good and well for the Department…

Hildah Magaia is back in the Banyana Banyana fold, and she’s ready to embody her nickname, ‘The Breadwinner’, when they face England tonight at 9.45pm. Banyana will visit the reigning European champions in an international friendly in Coventry on the back of losing 5-0 to Denmark last Friday. Coach Desiree Ellis’ troops were put to the sword by the Danes after the relatively inexperienced side put their feet off the gas in the second half, conceding all five goals. As Banyana gears up for what promises to be a formidable challenge against England, Ellis will take comfort in the availability of four international players for the clash. US-based duo Magaia and Linda Motlhalo arrived in the UK on Saturday, and they were joined by Mexico-based pair Thembi Kgatlana and Sinoxolo…

THE testimony of former top cop Major-General Jeremy Vearey has been put on hold at the Western Cape High Court as the defence lawyer for Nafiz Modack is not yet ready for the cross-examination. This was revealed yesterday as Vearey returned to court amid the ongoing underworld trial centred on the murder of his colleague, Charl Kinnear. Last week, Vearey took to the stand and rubbished Modack’s claims that he had top cops on his payroll. In June this year, a statement made by Modack nearly six years ago resurfaced, claiming Vearey and Kinnear were on his payroll. In the initial statement captured by Captain Alfred Barker, Modack claims after being released on bail, he was approached by a man known as Mohamed Hanware who claimed he could help Modack…

VETERAN performer and producer, Alistair Izobell, says the public has been accepting and understanding of his story as he prepares to launch his self-published book titled, Broken to Heal, this weekend. Izobell has been mesmerising audiences for 40 years and became a household name as a nine-year-old boy in the musical called District Six and later gained fame with his hit cover of Venus in 1993. Throughout his career, Izobell has introduced new talent to the industry, nurtured existing artists, and even penned theme songs for soap operas and a song for an internationally Grammy Award-winning group. However, behind the spotlight, there was a darker reality. Izobell was grappling with depression and when the pressure became unbearable on September 13, 2023, he attempted to take his own life. Now, having…

You are wondering how the Sniper from the IDF sleeps at night? (Adiel Ismail, “How does SA sniper sleep at night?”, October 22, 2024). Have you given a thought to the vile slaughter of humans that took place on 7 October 2023 Babies beheaded! Burnt to death! Parents killed Women raped! Over 100 hostages still not free including two little children. “Hello Adiel Ismail” Who started this war? Are you aware that Arms and Ammunition are stored in Civilian Homes and under Hospitals? Many of us have not slept at night since the 7 October 2023.…

The DA wholeheartedly supports the adoption of the Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report (BRRR) recommendation for a comprehensive skills audit of top management within the SAPS and Station Commanders nationwide. This essential audit aims to verify that SAPS leadership and Station Commanders possess the competencies required to build a professional, capable police force that can respond to both current and future challenges. By assessing the skills of these key leaders, SAPS will be better positioned to develop an agile and well-prepared management team that can confront the growing complexities of policing in South Africa. The DA firmly agrees that this is a pivotal step toward enhancing leadership effectiveness, fostering continuous development, and ensuring SAPS aligns with its strategic goals. In addition, the BRRR calls for SAPS to prioritise comprehensive training…

In 2014, the United Nations designated October 31 as World Cities Day – an annual day aimed at celebrating and promoting awareness of global urbanisation challenges, while advocating for concerted efforts towards sustainable urban development. The 10th anniversary of World Cities Day is being observed under the theme “Youth Leading Climate and Local Action for Cities”, against the backdrop of a rapidly urbanising world. By 2030, young people under the age of 18 are expected to make up an estimated 60% of urban dwellers. The importance of involving young people in ongoing discussions on climate action and their role in imagining alternative futures cannot be overstated. The ReBuilt Cape Town project provides young emerging scholars, practitioners, and activists with an opportunity to do just that. The ReBuilt project, convened by…

Israeli forces launched deadly strikes on Lebanon and Gaza yesterday, pressing their offensive against militants after Egypt’s president proposed a two-day truce in the Israel-Hamas war. There was no comment from either Israel or Hamas on the plan unveiled on Sunday by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, but Israeli media said spy chief David Barnea was in Qatar for renewed talks on a hostage release deal. More than a year into the war unleashed when Palestinian armed group Hamas launched the deadliest attack in Israel’s history on October 7, 2023, there was no let-up in the violence. Iran, which supports Hamas but has largely avoided a direct confrontation with arch-foe Israel, warned it would “respond firmly and effectively” to Israeli strikes on military sites over the weekend. The war has…

The T20 Challenge drew to a close with the Lions successfully defending their title against their neighbours and rivals, the Titans. Set to be a blockbuster final, showcasing 12 titles between two of the best sides not only in the competition but also in the history of this tournament, the 2022/23 champions were simply outplayed in every department and rightfully suffered an eight-wicket hiding. While the tournament was shorter in comparison to last season, the mix of Proteas and domestic talent led to standout performances throughout. Here are the key players who shone during the competition. Kwena Maphaka is maturing with more game time The former SA Under-19 sensation has been on an upward curve in his young career. At the tender age of 18, he is already a two-time…

Manqoba Mngqithi has urged his Mamelodi Sundowns’ troops to quickly bounce back from their loss away to Polokwane City, given that they do not have time to feel sorry for themselves. The Brazilians’ perfect start to the Betway Premiership came to an end on Sunday afternoon as they suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Polokwane at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. And while the loss came in just their fifth league game of the season – after winning the first four – it seems Polokwane has shown to the rest of the teams in the league that Sundowns are there for the taking. As such, Mngqithi and his troops have all to do going forward as they are still expected to win an unprecedented eighth title in a row by…