Innehållsförteckning för 2025-06-03 från Cape Argus

The term ‘pension interest’ arises in divorce proceedings and refers to a notional amount representing the retirement benefit the member spouse would receive from their retirement fund at the date of divorce. Calculating pension interest enables divorcing spouses to share in each other’s retirement benefits immediately after divorce rather than waiting until formal retirement. The pension interest calculation takes place at the divorce date, provided the member's spouse is still an active member of the retirement fund at that time. For pension and provident funds, if the member spouse resigns or retires before the divorce date, no pension interest exists, and the benefit accrues solely to the member spouse, thereafter treated as an ordinary asset within the estate. It is crucial to understand that a divorcing spouse's right to claim…

THE Western Cape High Court has ruled that impeached judge, Dr John Hlophe, cannot be part of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), saying his appointment was unconstitutional. In a ruling yesterday, the high court found that the National Assembly (NA) had failed to properly exercise its discretion in approving his appointment—thereby undermining the integrity of the judiciary. The court held that Parliament’s conduct effectively rubber-stamped Hlophe’s nomination, disregarding the serious implications for the JSC’s credibility and constitutional mandate. The MK Party deputy president was nominated to serve on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) last year but subsequently resigned. “The judiciary is essential to the maintenance of constitutional democracy. “It is declared that the National Assembly may not designate Dr. Mandlakayise John Hlophe to serve on the Judicial Services Commission in…

RESEARCHERS from UCT and the University of Copenhagen have achieved a scientific first by using 2-million-year-old protein traces to determine the biological sex and uncover previously hidden genetic variation in Paranthropus robustus, an extinct close relative of modern humans. Published in the journal Science, the research analysed ancient proteins extracted from fossilised teeth discovered in South Africa’s Cradle of Humankind. The remarkable discovery represents some of the oldest human genetic data ever recovered from Africa and challenges established understandings of this early hominin. The study’s co-lead, Dr Palesa Madupe, a research associate at UCT’s Human Evolution Research Institute (HERI) and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Copenhagen’s Globe Institute, said: “Because we can sample multiple African Pleistocene hominin individuals classified within the same group, we’re now able to…

Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach Miguel Cardoso was gracious in defeat after missing out on the CAF Champions League title, admitting that Pyramids had upped the ante. Sundowns’ long wait to win a second continental crown continued on Sunday night in Cairo, as they lost 3–2 on aggregate in the final to Pyramids. The Pharaohs completed most of the job at home, at the 30 June Stadium, winning the second leg 2–1 on the night following a 1–1 draw in the first leg in Pretoria. Coach Krunoslav Jurčić’s players deserved the victory, as they were at their best from start to finish, capitalising on Sundowns’ mistakes in both goals. Grant Kekana made a poor clearance in his own box, allowing Fiston Mayele to pounce, before Ahmed Samy headed home from close range.…

The weekend’s United Rugby Championship quarter-finals left the impression that the consistent Bull, Cameron Hanekom, has stretched his legs towards the Springbok No 8 jersey temporarily vacated by the injured Jasper Wiese. Another strong performance by Hanekom in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship semi-final against the Sharks will surely secure him the position. In April, Wiese’s season in Japan came to a halt when he picked up a neck injury, prompting a return to South Africa for surgery. The 29-year-old is on the mend, but he is not on course for a comeback in time for the Springbok season that kicks off at the end of June. The Boks warm up with a game against the Barbarians in Cape Town before their first meaningful engagement, the two-Test series against Italy in…

Banyana Banyana’s goalkeeper Andile Dlamini says it is important to start building up for their Women's Africa Cup of Nations title defence now, especially against COSAFA rivals. Banyana are currently in camp, having started their Three Nations tournament in Atteridgeville last week with a 3–2 win over Botswana. They will win the mini-series should they hold their own in the final game against Zambia at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Tuesday (3pm kick-off). This is due to the fact that they are the only team to have had a perfect start in the competition, after Botswana and Zambia drew 1–1 in their respective encounter last Saturday. It is important for Banyana to perform well in the competition on home soil as they prepare for the continental showpiece in Morocco this…

Rachel Kolisi may have once been behind the wheel of a Land Rover or a luxury Mercedes-Benz, but these days, the school run looks a little different – and far more relatable. The mother-of-two, known for her humility and grounded approach to life, has traded in high-end horsepower for the practicality of a Toyota Yaris. And, according to Rachel, she and the little silver Yaris – affectionately named “Betsy” – are getting along just fine. Despite her glamorous past life alongside Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Rachel has always struck a chord with fans for her girl-next-door charm. These days, she’s juggling solo parenting duties in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs, doing the school run daily and managing life with quiet resilience and a sense of humour. In a now-deleted Instagram post,…

PUBLIC Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has received the final report from the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), through its body Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), surrounding the tragic George building collapse. The tragedy claimed the lives of 34 people and injured 28 others on May 6, 2024. Macpherson’s office said the report marks a critical step in the department’s commitment to uncover the truth behind the preventable disaster, and to ensure those responsible are held accountable. “As the department, we will now carefully study the report to develop a pathway forward to ensure that a tragedy such as the George building collapse never happens again. As I have previously committed, after studying the report, I will personally return to George to present the findings of this…

THE ANC Youth League in Gauteng and Limpopo has entered the succession debate within the party by throwing its weight behind Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, as its preferred candidate to succeed Cyril Ramaphosa in 2027. According to sources within the structures, Ramokgopa’s youth and ability to take the movement forward make him an attractive candidate to become the party’s next president. “We are clear that we will be lobbying for Comrade Sputla (Ramokgopa) merely because he is still young and will be able to take the movement forward while we have Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi to deputise him,” a senior member of the ANCYL in Gauteng said. “These two comrades understand the youth and you can see in their respective portfolios that they cater for…

BABOON rights activists have expressed outrage and shock at the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team’s Strategic Management Plan, which proposes the removal of five splinter troops, claiming hundreds of animals could be affected. The task team last week presented the proposed action plan for the Cape Peninsula baboon, which includes the proposed removal of five splinter troops – CT1, CT2, Waterfall, Seaforth and Da Gama4, due to limited natural resources, human conflict, and poor welfare. The plan will be reviewed by experts and the Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group by mid-June. Removal options include translocation, sanctuaries, humane euthanasia, or a combination. The process and outcomes will be made public. The Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation group said the plans would affect population numbers. “To remove, most likely by killing,…

Businesses today are forced to navigate an increasingly perilous landscape of cyber threats, characterised by the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. The financial repercussions are staggering, with the average cost of a data breach reaching millions of dollars. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, the global average cost of a data breach in 2024 was $4.88 million (R88.6m), which is a 10% increase over the previous year and the highest total ever. Beyond monetary losses, the erosion of customer trust and brand reputation can be irreparable. As cyber threats evolve, businesses must prioritise robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard their assets and ensure resilience in the face of this danger. Many organisations still lack effective controls and incident response plans, nor do they have the “muscle…

The revolution in Paris that led Luis Enrique’s team to Uefa Champions League glory for the first time is being echoed across Europe, as even clubs that once embodied the Galácticos-era have abandoned efforts to ‘buy’ the top prize in European football. The PSG coach is now reaping the plaudits for building an energetic, youthful and dynamic team that is mesmerising to watch. It is built on teamwork and unity of purpose, rather than relying on the individual brilliance of former megastars, such as Kylian Mbappé, Neymar or Lionel Messi. Youngsters like Désiré Doué, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Bradley Barcola and Senny Mayulu have Paris fans salivating at the prospect of years of European dominance. The change in direction at PSG, majority-owned by Qatari government-backed investment fund Qatar Sports Investments, is not…

South Africans place over R1 trillion in bets annually, with R700 billion spent on sports betting alone. For many, particularly those with limited financial resources, the appeal of a big win can be incredibly tempting. However, the reality is often more complex. Instead of earning easy money, those who indulge in excessive gambling frequently face financial strain. In March, an online betting platform shared a story of someone turning an R4 wager into an astounding R83,701.54. While stories like this grab attention, the rise in online sports betting also brings important considerations. According to the National Gambling Board’s 2022/23 gambling statistics, sports betting in South Africa has expanded significantly over the past decade, growing from under 10% of the gambling sector in 2009/10 to over half in 2022/23. What stands…

FUEL taxes are set to increase for the first time in three years, but thankfully, a stronger rand will shield South African motorists from fuel price hikes in June. The next fuel price adjustment will take effect from tomorrow and unaudited month-end data from the Central Energy Fund showed that minor price decreases were likely for both petrol and diesel. Petrol was looking set for a decrease of around 20 cents per litre, but with the 16-cent hike in the General Fuel Levy (GFL) set to take effect, a reduction of about four cents is on the cards. 93 Unleaded petrol currently costs R21.29 for a litre in Gauteng, with 95 ULP retailing at R21.40 inland and R20.60 at the coast. Diesel’s over-recovery for the month pointed to a 51-cent…

LANSDOWNE police have arrested an accused serial cat killer in Ottery. A joint operation between SAPS and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA saw authorities nab the 29-year-old suspect inside his home in the informal settlement of Freedom Park in Ottery on Sunday. Authorities were told the man is responsible for the killing of five neighbourhood felines. The suspect is facing charges of animal cruelty in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 and is expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court today. The SPCA said it would be opposing bail. This comes after authorities received a tip-off alleging that the suspect has killed more than five cats in the area over the past few months. Chief inspector of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Jaco Pieterse,…

THE abduction of the mayor of Sedibeng District Municipality, Lerato Maloka, has been linked by sources to her media briefing at which she announced that she had requested the Gauteng provincial government to institute an investigation into corruption in the municipality. Maloka and her driver were hijacked and kidnapped from Alberton on Friday and both were found unharmed and reunited with their families on Saturday night, police said. Police spokesperson, Brenda Muridili said a manhunt for the suspects is under way. At the media briefing held by Maloka last week, she announced that she had written to the Gauteng MEC for Local Government, Jacob Mamabolo, and requested a full investigation into corruption at the municipality. She wants the investigation to focus on senior municipal officials, who she claims have paid…

MORE than 39 years after the murder of the Cradock Four and decades of unanswered questions, the third inquest into the deaths of the Cradock Four officially got under way in the Gqeberha High Court in the Eastern Cape yesterday. The families of Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli are hoping this renewed legal process will finally bring closure and accountability for the brutal killings of the four anti-apartheid activists who were tortured in 1985. The families’ legal representative, Howard Varney, said the death of the four young men was meticulously planned by the apartheid security branch. “According to autopsy reports, Mhlauli died from stab wounds; Calata died from stabbing in the heart; Mkhonto died from a gunshot wound to the head and (was) stabbed in the…

SA MUAY Thai Organisation coach and president, Kru Nic Radley, said he was proud to see South African athletes compete against the world’s best in the home of Thai fighting, supported by his coaching team, which included treasurer and assistant coach Shaheen Price. The organisation took a team of six athletes to the international games in Bangkok, last month. “We are beyond proud of our athletes; we had many highs and lows this trip,” Radley said. “We have an immense amount of talent in our country and it’s great to expose it to the world. It’s very difficult for us to get big opportunities and fights as we are so far away from all the action in East Asia and Europe.” The International and Thai Martial Arts Games took place…

Hugo Broos hasn’t become the longest-serving Bafana Bafana coach by listening to outside noise — and that’s why the buck will always stop with him when it comes to team matters. Broos recently etched his name into the national team’s history, becoming their longest-serving coach and surpassing Clive Barker’s record after serving for four years. Things weren’t all rosy at the beginning. Broos even considered resigning during the first few months in the role, following heavy criticism from most quarters. Much of the backlash came after Bafana were hammered 5–0 by world champions France away from home and lost 2–1 to Africa’s top-ranked side, Morocco. However, the tide turned after the talismanic Themba Zwane was brought into the fold and Broos received a vote of confidence from Safa president Danny…