Innehållsförteckning för 2024-11-26 från Mercury

When are our municipal leaders, including our North Durban councillors, going to do something to stem the almost daily carnage on the M4 highway? Almost every day there is an accident or two on the stretch of road between uMhlanga and Blue Lagoon. At any time of the day or night, users of this racetrack, which is a perfectly good double highway, take their lives in their hands, and it has to be stopped. An accident between Virginia and the Broadway (last week) claimed another life on a stretch of perfectly straight road and by the looks of the wreck, speed was again the killer. This stretch of highway must be one of the most dangerous roads in Durban, if not in South Africa, and yet nothing ever seems to…

A CHARMING, attractive lady of my acquaintance accosts me and tells me she has at home a small drinks mat that has come into her possession, which has on it a sketch of a fellow with my handsome facial features. She promises to pop it into my postbox, which she duly does. The wrinkled visage is of a fellow who looks as if he’s about to burst into tears after putting his money on England in the cricket. Is this me? Fie! I turn the drinks mat the other way round and — hey! — it’s a grinning fellow of cheery good looks. To be sure, a bit like me. Uncanny! Where did this charming, attractive lady of my acquaintance find it? The miserable, gloomy figure is captioned “Before visiting…

EFF president Julius Malema has once again reiterated that any of his detractors who believe he is a dictator and divisive should leave the party. Malema was answering questions from the media yesterday during the party’s walkabout at Nasrec, the venue for its elective conference in December. Attacking his detractors, the Red Berets leader asked why individuals would join a party that was created by a dictator. “Why did you join a divisive party? Why did you join?” Malema asked. “I was accused of being a dictator since my days in the ANC Youth League... so there is nothing new,” he said. He added that the party was not going to waste time nursing people’s feelings. “If you want to leave, the door is open. Leave now! We are not…

The Constitutional Court will hear arguments from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) today on Parliament's decision to forego an impeachment investigation into President Cyril Ramaphosa on the Phala Phala issue. In a case centred on the president's accountability for suspected criminal conduct, the party is taking action against Ramaphosa, the National Assembly, and the African National Congress (ANC). The EFF has argued that Ramaphosa should be held accountable for the circumstances surrounding the February 2020 break-in at his Phala Phala game farm. The National Assembly rejected the African Transformation Movement's (ATM) motion to remove the president from office in December 2022. The House also rejected a report by the independent panel, which was chaired by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, that concluded Ramaphosa might have a case to answer to…

Two Cape Town women are expected in court this week for allegedly defrauding about 80 victims from around the country of money meant for a promised trip to Thailand. Investigators attached to the Western Cape Provincial Commercial Crimes Investigation Unit arrested the women, aged 59 and 53, on Friday in connection with fraud amounting to approximately R1.9 million, police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said. “Investigations reveal that between June 2022 and July 2024, a total number of 80 victims saw an advertisement on social media platforms about a trip to Thailand. On the advertisement, it was stated that each person should pay an amount of R26 000, which will include travel as well as the accommodation costs. “It is believed that almost all the victims paid the required amount as per…

The South African Policing Union (SAPU) said that its members have rejected government’s proposed 4.7% wage offer for public servants. The union said that it had concluded its mandate-seeking process and noted that it will officially inform government this week. SAPU said that it and other public sector unions are hoping to resume talks with the Co-ordinating Bargaining Council. “The mandate received from our members at large and also the central executive committee pronouncement declared that we need to push the employer offer that has been on the table. It has not been accepted. Remember, the standard of living is quite high,” Lesiba Thobakgale, SAPU’s spokesperson, told the SABC news channel. “When we look at inflation, when we look at the cost of living, when we look at expenses that…

It’s a long road ahead to restore RAF’s purpose and rebuild public trust EVERY time you fill up your car, part of your payment is a lifeline for road crash victims – or at least, it should be. South Africans contribute approximately 40% of the total current fuel levy to the Road Accident Fund (RAF) – a fund meant to provide medical and financial compensation to victims of road crashes. Yet, despite this substantial public contribution, the RAF is mired in a financial and operational crisis, leaving victims waiting up to eight years for compensation. The reality of these delays isn’t just a bureaucratic inconvenience – it’s a direct assault on vulnerable people. Victims suffer untreated injuries, worsening medical conditions, and mounting financial burdens. Meanwhile, the public’s trust in the…

Namibia’s ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), which has been in power since independence, fears the same fate as other liberation-era parties crushed in elections across the region when the country goes to the polls tomorrow. In the past six months, South Africa’s ANC lost its parliamentary majority, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) was ousted after almost six decades in power, and though the ruling Frelimo won elections in Mozambique, civil society and opposition groups have demonstrated for weeks claiming fraud and demanding change. In Namibia, five candidates are running for the top job, including Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the ruling Swapo party which faces its tightest race since 1990. With results expected as early as Saturday, all eyes are on whether the sparsely populated country rich in mineral…

A march by hundreds of supporters to demand the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan reached the fringes of Pakistan’s capital of Islamabad yesterday, his party and officials said, amid reports of violence elsewhere. Authorities have enforced a security lockdown for the last two days to block the protesters, whom Khan has called on to march on parliament for a sit-in demonstration, while highways into the city have been barricaded. The government has used shipping containers to block major roads and streets in Islamabad, most of them patrolled by large contingents of police and paramilitary personnel in riot gear. Khan’s party accused the government of using violent tactics to block the protesters, saying it had arrested hundreds of workers and leaders. “They are even firing live bullets,” one…

Madrid: Spain’s disgraced former king Juan Carlos is being sued for alleged tax offences by a group of retired judges, one of the complainants said yesterday. Spanish prosecutors in March 2022 closed three probes into his finances due to insufficient evidence, but said several irregularities had been found.Among them were gifts from Gulf Arab monarchies and private trips funded by a foundation based in the European state of Liechtenstein. The complainants say a court must decide if he fulfilled his tax obligations. | AFP…

MOSCOW: The business platform called “Creation”, which will unite entrepreneurs who implement the idea of constructive work for the benefit of society, was established at the “Creative Entrepreneurship as Service” round table of the BRICS Forum on Traditional Values held in Moscow recently. The meeting discussed the compatibility of spirituality and business goals. The event’s organisers said the idea of creating a business platform was supported by foreign delegates and representatives of the BRICS countries and candidate states including Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan and Uganda. | Sputnik…

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has suffered a hamstring injury, said the Spanish club yesterday, ruling him out of the upcoming Champions League match with Liverpool. “After tests taken today our player Vinicius Junior has been diagnosed by Real Madrid's medical services with a hamstring injury in his left leg,” the club said in a statement. Spanish media reported the Brazilian winger is expected to miss almost a month, which would also keep him out of the Champions League visit to Atalanta on December 10, as well as tomorrow’s visit to Anfield. Vinicius played the full 90 minutes of Madrid's 3-0 win at Leganes in La Liga on Sunday, setting up Kylian Mbappe for the opening goal. The 24-year-old has started the season in superb form, outshining summer arrival Mbappe…

The much-anticipated return of the Betway Premiership showcases a thrilling local rivalry as Royal AM takes on Golden Arrows in a clash that promises to be packed with intensity and passion. The match is scheduled for Tuesday evening at the Harry Gwala Stadium, kicking off at 7.30pm. With both teams eager to turn their fortunes around in the 2024/2025 season, the stakes could not be higher. Both AM and Arrows have had rocky starts to their current campaign, positioning themselves just outside the top eight of the league table. Their proximity in standings has amplified the significance of this derby. A mere six points separate ninth-placed Royal AM from third-placed Polokwane City, which underscores the open nature of the league this season. A victory for either side could dramatically shift…

Psilocybin, the active compound in “magic mushrooms”, has gained significant attention in recent years for its potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental health conditions such as severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse. However, while early research suggests promise, experts warn that psilocybin is not without risks and much remains unknown about its long-term effects and safety. The South African Society of Psychiatrists (Sasop), through psychiatrist Dr Melané van Zyl, has emphasised the importance of approaching psilocybin therapy with caution. While the potential benefits are intriguing, the lack of robust, large-scale studies makes it difficult to endorse its widespread use in clinical settings fully. In recent years, there has been growing interest in psychedelics, substances that alter perception, mood and cognitive processes, for their potential mental health benefits.…

Every year as part of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, activities are held in a bid to stop the scourge of violence against women and children. Regrettably, the real message of this unfortunate challenge that we face in this country, due to various reasons, often gets lost and the perpetrators are freely walking the streets and living an unrestricted life. There are many untold and undocumented stories of the horror women and children suffer daily, even in private homes. Most of them do not have the knowledge, courage, support or power to claim their dignity or human rights over the violence they suffer, undergo, or endure. Violence against women and children is a human rights violation that’s been carrying on for many…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the overdue decision by KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC, Mbali Shinga to dissolve the board of the Isabel Beardmore Home (IBH) based in Pietermaritzburg. The move comes after months of inaction by the department despite DA ward councillor Garth Middleton having provided evidence of widespread maladministration for its attention. This includes issues of staff non-payment, insufficient food for elderly residents and numerous other complaints. It was only after staff and residents of the IBH complained to the department that the MEC decided to take action. The DA has written to MEC Shinga and KZN’s Social Development portfolio committee chairperson, Noluthando Dlamini, calling for an urgent meeting to discuss the report on investigations into this facility. We await a response. The DA will not allow government-funded…

The “heart,” your heart and my heart, is an enigmatic “place” within us. It is the interlocking of our core, where soul, mind, will, memory, spirit, aspirations, longings and regrets, meet to motivate and drive us. And it speaks. It declares who we are and what we are made of. It shows itself a hundred and more times a day. What’s going on inside you and me will be revealed in our words (affirmations or lashings and everything in between) in the work of our hands and in the tracks we leave as we move about the world. You and I leave heartprints, handprints and footprints, and we cannot help but do so. The angry heart, the disappointed heart, the abandoned, the betrayed heart — will, if not guarded, take…

While some developed nations rejected the outcomes agreed on at the COP29 Conference in Baku, South African Environment Minister Dion George says the unity pact is a “step in the right direction”. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) concluded in the early hours of Sunday in Baku, Azerbaijan. Parties adopted the Baku Climate Unity Pact consisting of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance, a Global Goal on Adaptation and the Sharm el-Sheikh Mitigation Ambition and Implementation Work Programme as well as key decisions on implementing the Paris Agreement’s Articles 6.2 and 6.4. George, minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, said, in a statement, that the pact came after an intense two weeks of consultations and negotiations. He…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa is set to face off with civil society organisations over his failure to sign the Copyright Amendment Bill (CAB) into law. SECTION27, a public interest law centre, will argue that Ramaphosa’s failure to sign the CAB has denied blind and visually impaired individuals access to reading materials in formats they can access. The case, Blind SA v President of the Republic of South Africa, will be heard on Thursday. The CAB, which was sent to Ramaphosa for his signature in February, includes exceptions that would allow materials to be converted into accessible formats without the consent of the copyright holder. However, Ramaphosa’s delay in signing the bill has resulted in the expiration of a court-crafted exception that was established in 2022. Pearl Nicodemus, representing Blind SA and…

I’VE COME across a highly propagandised article published by a South African political analyst who makes the startling claim that the Gaza death toll in 2024 is unreliable since the source of information is the Hamas-run Health Ministry. The analyst attempts to cast doubt so as to obfuscate Israel's ongoing crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing in Gaza and beyond. Moreover, the illegal expansion in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and the Syrian Golan Heights, a clear violation of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, is seldom discussed in pro-Israel circles. My question to any self-respecting analyst or political commentator is this: how can we, the international community, trust a government that has repeatedly violated international law and continues to dignify individuals partaking in some of the most nauseating…

A final round of talks on a treaty to curb plastic pollution opened yesterday, with deep differences between nations emerging almost immediately. The meeting opened just hours after a chaotic end to the COP29 climate talks in Baku, which agreed to a boost in climate funding that developing countries slammed as insufficient. Opening the plastics meeting, the Ecuadorian diplomat chairing the talks warned nations that the conference was about “far more than drafting an international treaty”. “It is about humanity rising to meet an existential challenge,” Luis Vayas Valdivieso told an opening plenary in South Korea’s Busan. Plastic pollution is so ubiquitous that it has been found in clouds, the deepest ocean trenches and even human breastmilk. And while almost everyone agrees it is a problem, there is less consensus…

A Malaysian court ordered the government yesterday to return rainbow-coloured watches and accessories made by Swatch Group that were seized last year for designs celebrating LGBTQ rights, a prosecutor said. Homosexuality is illegal in Muslim-majority Malaysia, and rights groups have warned of growing intolerance toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community in the Southeast Asian country. In May 2023, Malaysia confiscated 172 rainbow-coloured watches from the Swiss watchmaker’s ‘Pride collection’ from 16 outlets due to the presence of the acronym ‘LGBTQ’ on the timepieces. The government later prohibited any LGBTQ references on Swatch watches, boxes, wrappers, accessories or other items, saying such products may harm morality and public interest. | Reuters…

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening its strategic partnership with Morocco during a brief visit to Casablanca last week. After his state visit to Brazil, Xi made a technical stop in Morocco, where he met Crown Prince Moulay Hassan and Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. The Chinese leader emphasised his country’s readiness to collaborate with Morocco after the recent Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation and the China-Arab States Co-operation Forum. He also spoke of more co-operation within the Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese is investing in Morocco’s railway and electric vehicle battery manufacturing sectors. | Sputnik…

MONTEVIDEO: Centre-left opposition candidate Yamandu Orsi secured victory in Uruguay’s presidential election over the weekend, with 99% of votes tallied. Orsi secured a margin of 49.81% of the vote to conservative Alvaro Delgado’s 45.90%, results showed. Orsi, 57, has said he would avoid raising taxes that could scare off business and focus on attracting investors, He has also signalled closer co-operation with Europe on fighting drug trafficking and more funding for prisons. Orsi says he does not plan a sharp policy shift in the moderate, relatively wealthy nation. Unlike sharp right-left divides in elections in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, Uruguay’s political arena is relatively tension-free. | Reuters…

In South Africa, breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer affecting women. The government says 90% of patients have the potential to survive for many years post-diagnosis if the cancer is discovered early. While the treatment journey often centres on chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, a crucial yet often overlooked aspect is the care of wounds and scars that result from the interventions. Dr Judey Pretorius, a biomedical scientist and product development specialist at Biomedical Emporium, highlights the significance of addressing the physical reminders of the battle, suggesting they are badges of strength. Types of wounds associated with breast cancer treatment Post-cancer wounds vary, depending on the type of treatment a patient undergoes. Each type requires specific care to ensure proper healing and prevent…

The mining conundrum at different places in the Transvaal is one that boggles the mind. Are the miners trapped by legal authority or by their own free will? How did they manage to descend to such great depths? How did they expect to return to the surface? Who exactly are they? How did they acquire the skills to identify gold ore from fools junk? Actually, I am not interested in any of those answers! The angle that my mind races to involves the difficult-to-handle question: Who exactly are the real “ILLEGAL” miners? Not Zionists - like the Oppenheimers - surely? Not the Dutch colonists who “discovered” gold in the Transvaal - which attracted the greedy British to rush in from the Cape Colony to also grab a piece of the…

FOR a number of years, you have graciously printed a letter from me on the anniversary of the crash of the South African Airways Flight 295 — November 28, 1987. For this, I and the families of the 195 victims who died in the wastes of the Indian Ocean 300 km east of Mauritius thank you. The bare facts of the case are that on a flight from Taipei to Johannesburg, SAA Boeing 747 “Helderberg” suffered one or more fires, severely compromising the safety of the aircraft such that it finally crashed, killing everyone on board. While obfuscation, denial and a dubious court case continue to hamper all efforts to get at the truth of this tragedy, it has been widely held that unstable rocket fuel destined for use by…

The shopping event of the season, Black Friday, is set to take place this week with consumers in the country looking for the best deals from retailers ahead of the festive season. One of South Africa’s biggest banks, First National Bank (FNB) said it is anticipating its customers to spend over R3 billion. FNB said yesterday that the improved economic landscape and sustained recovery in consumer income will likely boost sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday compared to 2023. The bank further stated that with retailers offering extended specials over the course of the month or week leading up to Black Friday, FNB expects spending to exceed R3 billion over the Black Friday weekend as well as a significant shift towards digital payments. CEO of FNB Card, Senzo Nsibande…

As the Class of 2024 prepares to conclude their academic journey with ‘pens down’ parties, a call has been made for parents to remain vigilant as celebrations come with a myriad of risks, including substance abuse. World Changers Candidates (WCC), an organisation that is dedicated to combating drug use among South African youth, said there needed to be parental oversight. Lucas Mahlakgane, chairperson of the WCC, highlighted the alarming correlation between these celebrations and episodes of substance misuse. “With the final exams wrapping up on November 28, it is imperative for parents to be attentive to their children’s activities and surroundings,” he warned, especially as pupils prepare for a long weekend of festivities set from November 29 to December 1. The launch of WCC’s annual ‘SAY NO to Pens Down’…

THE Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, yesterday turned down an application that called on government to take necessary steps to extract the “trapped” miners underground in Stilfontein and to provide them with food, water and other necessities. Judge Brenda Neukircher accepted the evidence from government that the miners are not trapped, as there is an alternative shaft open for them to resurface. She also noted that government had assured the court that rescue operations are under way for those who want to exit via Stilfontein. The judge commented that the applicant, the Society for the Protection of Our Constitution, did not provide any first-hand evidence or that of an expert that government was jeopardising the lives of these miners. The judge issued an urgent interim order on Saturday that pending finalisation…

SOCIAL Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe said the number of unemployed social workers was likely to decrease over the coming financial years after cabinet took a decision that a select few departments should hire social services professionals. Tolashe said there were 6671 unemployed social workers in all nine provinces, with the majority being in KwaZulu-Natal at 3153 and Eastern Cape at 1086. “The Cabinet in February this year approved a strategy of employing social services professionals by the following departments: police, defence, health, correctional services and basic education. “The department held a workshop with the identified departments in September to unpack the strategy and get commitment from all these departments for the employment of social service professionals,” Tolashe said. The minister was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Bridget Masango,…

The comparison of the extortion gangs that are running rampant in the country to the organised crime elements or mafia that operate in the United States has become commonplace. What is clear is that the extortion gangs started as disorganised structures that initially targeted public sector projects and over a period of time have evolved into structured syndicates that use extortion, intimidation, violence and sabotage against contractors in both the public and private sector. The cost to the taxpayer and the State in the construction sector alone is estimated to be R63 billion since 2019, affecting 180 projects. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, during the National Construction Summit on Crime Free Construction Sites held in Durban recently, warned that those benefiting from activities on the ground while “sitting in posh suburbs…

The Philippines justice department has labelled Vice-President Sara Duterte the mastermind of a plot to assassinate the country’s president, giving her five days to respond to a subpoena. Duterte is being asked to explain herself in the wake of a blistering weekend press conference where she said she had instructed that President Ferdinand Marcos be killed should an alleged plot to kill her succeed. “The government is taking action to protect our duly elected president,” Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said yesterday.“The premeditated plot to assassinate the president as declared by the self-confessed mastermind will now face legal consequences.” Speaking to reporters an hour later, Duterte said she planned to respond to the subpoena. “I will gladly answer the questions they want to ask, but they must answer my questions as…

NEW YORK: Warren Buffett has made further preparations for donating his fortune after his death. Buffett, 94, the chairperson of Berkshire Hathaway, is donating nearly all of his remaining wealth, valued on Friday at $149.7 billion, to a charitable trust overseen by his daughter and two sons. Yesterday, Buffett said three potential successor trustees have been designated to serve if his children cannot serve. He said each successor trustee is somewhat younger than his children, well known to them and “makes sense to all of us.” Buffett also said he is donating about $1.14bn of additional Berkshire stock to four family foundations. He has donated 56.6% of his Berkshire stock to the foundations and to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. | Reuters…

LUSAKA: Zambia, which is facing severe power shortages due to a record drought affecting its hydropower sources, is considering a proposal by the Chinese-owned Wonderful Group to build a $900 million, 600MW coal-fired power plant, after Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema met Wonderful Group chief operations officer Frank Mulenga. Hichilem declared a national state of emergency earlier this year due to a drought caused by the El Niño effect in the rainy season, and called on local and international partners to help combat its effects in the country. | Sputnik…

DAR ES SALAAM: The Kilimanjaro Film Festival (KFF), scheduled for July 2 to 6 next year in the city of Moshi, aims to boost Tanzania’s creative and tourism sectors, KFF’s founder and director Vicensia Shule told a local media. The festival is part of a broader initiative to connect Tanzania’s film and tourism industries. Unlike many festivals, KFF prioritises authentic African stories, particularly those from indigenous communities. The event is seen as a platform to promote Tanzanian films internationally, providing filmmakers with income opportunities, networking potential, and recognition, the director said. | Sputnik…