Innholdsfortegnelse for 2021-07-02 i Star

Siphelele Dludla siphelele.dludla@in.co.za MANUFACTURING and services’ industrial output edged down in June amid fresh concerns over rising Covid-19 cases and tighter lockdown restrictions. The seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) released yesterday showed a slow down for the third consecutive month to 57.4 index points in June from 57.8 points in May. Absa said although all five of the headline index’s major subcomponents were above the neutral 50-point mark, both business activity and new sales orders increased at a slower pace. It said that another expansion was likely in the third quarter as the sectors’ output recovery had been maintained in the second quarter. A significant annual expansion was effectively guaranteed given the extremely low base set in the second quarter of 2020, Absa said. Absa senior economist Miyelani…

PRO-democracy protests have forced eSwatini Airlink and its operating partner, South Africa-based domestic and regional airline Airlink, to suspend flights between Joburg and King Mswati III International Airport, citing the safety of travellers and staff. Pro-democracy protests started peacefully in eSwatini’s (Swaziland’s) Manzini region on June 20 as youth took to the streets in a push for the right to choose their prime minister democratically, as opposed to the prime minister being appointed by King Mswati III. They demanded that the king hand over power as the absolute monarch and allow democracy to prevail. The protests turned violent on June 28 when buildings were torched and shops looted in Matsapha. It is believed the torched businesses were owned by King Mswati III. More violence erupted after Acting Prime Minister Themba…

Chulumanco Mahamba The medical interns awaiting placement for their mandatory internship are still in limbo as the consultation process with the Treasury and Provincial Health Departments for funding of 155 posts is still ongoing. Medical interns in South Africa are still anxiously sitting at home awaiting placement for their mandatory internship at public health facilities. Last week, The Star reported that there were 288 interns awaiting placement. The qualified young doctors, who graduated between March and April, spoke to The Star on condition of anonymity, said they were ready and willing to start working immediately. “It’s also very depressing to sit at home and not work. “I would not wish this on anyone because we can’t even work at other hospitals or look for work ourselves,” a young doctor…

Mpiletso Motumi Lindelani Mkhize, PJ Powers and Lebo M are this year’s recipients of the Sama 27 Lifetime Achievement. Producer and anthem hitmaker, Master KG, will be the recipient of the International Achievement Recognition Award. “There is no doubt that the Sama 27 honourees are worthy and deserving. It is our singular honour at the Samas (SA Music Awards) to bestow these accolades to Lindelani Mkhize, PJ Powers, Lebo M and Master KG. Theirs are stories of inspiration and accomplishments that are unmatched. We salute them and wish them only the best further on in their careers,” said Recording Industry of SA (RiSA) chief executive Nhlanhla Sibisi. Mkhize has come a long way since his days as a drummer in the church in his hometown of uMlazi in Durban. He…

The Washington Post Somebody’s Daughter Ashley C Ford Loot.co.za (R464) Flatiron WHAT happens to a family when a father goes to prison? Ashley C Ford’s heart-wrenching memoir, Somebody’s Daughter, tells the story of a family that must shoulder the weight that such an absence creates. Ford’s father was in jail for nearly 30 years, and her memoir painfully and poignantly shows us that life goes on, even when a parent is not there. Her abusive mother became more volatile, and her grandmother tried to fill the void, while siblings drew closer to each other. They survived, but not without suffering. The memoir begins with a phone call from Ford’s mother, who passes on the news that her father will soon be released from jail. In the chapters that follow,…

Phil Greenlees | Pinelands So, Cyril Ramaphosa has, once again, dipped his hand in the ban jar and pulled out the ‘ban alcohol for two weeks’ ticket. What is the purpose of such a ban? No, really! In the past, we have been told that it is to help reduce alcohol-caused injuries that take up hospital beds needed for the Covid third wave victims. If that were true, instead of banning alcohol, with its resulting unemployment and damage to the industry, how about enforcing the rule of law regarding illegal super-spreader events. No, just kidding. That would have required a modicum of logic. Now we have Edward Zuma, who has been well taught by his dad that the law doesn't apply to him. He says, “We are prepared…

THE latest Constitutional Court decision against Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane on the CR17 campaign has triggered another debate on her fitness to hold office. The past four-and-a-half years have been littered with litigation against Mkhwebane since she assumed office at the end of 2016. Now the focus shifts to Parliament with the inquiry to begin in the next few months after another high court, in the Western Cape, dismissed her application to challenge the process. The public protector has been caught in several legal battles with politicians during her tenure. The justice committee had also questioned the legal bill arising from her court cases. But Mkhwebane defended herself, saying those taking her to court did not want to be subjected to accountability. The official opposition has, since the end of…

ALThough Gerry Casida is on the priority list for a free Covid-19 vaccine in the Philippines because of his asthma, he isn’t planning to get the shot any time soon. A video he found on social media of a woman claiming vaccines are being used for genocide helps explain why. “I’ve read a lot of posts on Facebook about how many died in other countries because of vaccines, and how that’s being concealed,” said the construction worker, 43, from Manila. ” Millions of people like Casida in some of the worst Covid hot spots in Southeast Asia are delaying inoculation or just saying no, swayed by disinformation on social media from both local sources as well anti-vaccination movements in the US. Those false claims are fuelling vaccine hesitancy in some…

BEIJING: People gathered yesterday in Beijing to take photographs of celebratory flyovers and sing revolutionary songs as the ruling Communist Party celebrated its 100th birthday, expressing pride in China’s development and wishes for a more powerful country. Some congregated by an ancient canal once used to bring grain into the city, but now overshadowed by the skyscrapers of the financial district, to watch helicopters fly over, spelling out “100” across the sky. President Xi Jinping hailed a “new world” created by the Chinese people as the party marked the centenary of its founding with a ceremony in the capital’s central Tiananmen Square. Many citizens said the party had made Chinese people’s lives better and effectively controlled Covid-19. | Reuters…

COLOMBO: Hundreds of turtles have washed ashore after a ship caught fire and sank off the west coast of Sri Lanka in June, in the country’s worst-ever marine disaster, a court in the capital, Colombo, heard this week. A fire erupted on the Singapore-registered MV X-Press Pearl in May, carrying 1 486 containers, including 25 tons of nitric acid along with other chemicals and cosmetics. It sank on June 2, even as salvage crew tried to tow it away from the coast. The ship’s Russian captain appeared in court on Thursday, but has yet to be charged. Toxins released from the ship have killed 176 turtles, 20 dolphins and four whales, the court heard. Authorities have lifted a fishing ban in parts of the affected coast. |…

CASTER Semenya vowed to continue her fight against the ban that prevents her from competing in her preferred 800m event after she failed in a bid to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics at alternative distances. The 30-year-old South African, who is two-time defending Olympic champion at 800m, is banned from competing in any race from 400m to a mile after World Athletics ruled in 2018 that to ensure fair competition, women with high natural testosterone levels must take medication to reduce them to compete in middle-distance races. But Semenya, who refuses to take any medication to alter her testosterone levels, will continue to battle against the ruling despite losing several appeals over the last two years. "The ban doesn't make sense at all. But hey, that's none of my business.…

Dineo Faku dineo.faku@inl.co.za UK-HEADQUARTERED Petra Diamonds has shaken up its board with the appointment of business veterans Deborah Gudgeon, Alex Watson and Johannes Bhatt as non-executive directors a month after it agreed to pay compensation for dozens of people who allegedly suffered human rights violations at its Tanzanian diamond operation. Petra, which mines diamonds at the Williamson mine in Tanzania, and the Cullinan mine outside Pretoria, said it had appointed Gudgeon as chairperson designate of the audit and risk committee. Gudgeon currently serves as the non-executive director and chairs the audit committee of global steel and mining firm Evraz plc. Petra said it had appointed Watson and Bhatt as non-independent non- executive directors. Non-executive chairperson Peter Hill said: “I would like to welcome Deborah, Alex, and Johannes to the board…

Sandile Mchunu sandile.mchunu@inl.co.za SABVEST Capital’s (Sabcap) share price leapt by more than 5 percent on the JSE yesterday morning after the investment group said it expected its half-year earnings for the six months to the end of June to surge by more than 100 percent, boosted by investee companies that are trading at or ahead of pre-Covid-19 levels. Sabvest has interests in nine unlisted investments, which include Apex Partners, Classic Food Brands and Masimong Group Holdings, and direct and indirect interests in six listed investments, which include Transaction Capital, Metrofile Holdings and Corero Network Security plc. The group also has an offshore bond portfolio. The group said in a trading statement that it expected its headline earnings per share (Heps) and earnings per share (Eps) to be at…

ZELDA VENTER zelda.venter@inl.co.za THE NORTH Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, has again confirmed there does not need to be a specific list of requirements which must be complied with to prove a valid customary marriage exists. This issue came under the spotlight when a widow wanted to claim loss of income from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) following the death of her mine manager husband. The 35-year-old woman, who cannot be identified to protect her minor children, said the man had paid the customary lobola for her, and although the marriage was never registered or celebrated, they had lived together as husband and wife. The RAF disputed her claim for support and funeral costs for her husband’s burial. It said she had to prove she was dependent on him. The woman…

Van’s Auctioneers Gauteng will be selling the business Africa Cash and Carry (Crown Mines) (Pty) Ltd as a going concern next month. There is a due diligence period from July 13 to 30 and submission of offers will close at noon on August 4. The complete business, that includes the trading name, moving stock of approximately R300 million, all assets on the asset register, goodwill and staff, will be sold as a going concern. “This sale of the largest independent family-owned wholesaler in Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” the auction house says. Offers must be handed in and opened at the offices of Van’s Auctioneers Gauteng at 36 Gemsbok Street, Koedoespoort Industrial, Pretoria. Viewing is by appointment only. For more information, call 083 111 8267 or visit www.vansauctions.co.za.…

Chulumanco Mahamba chulumanco.mahamba@inl.co.za A DECISION on the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine will be made in the next few days, said the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra). The regulatory body hosted a media briefing yesterday where the status of the registration of Covid-19 vaccines in South Africa was outlined. Sahpra chief executive Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela said the regulatory authority was in an advanced stage of evaluation of China’s Sinovac vaccine. “There should be a decision that is communicated to the applicant in the next few days,” Semete-Makokotlela said. She said Sahpra could get multiple applications for each vaccine and every application had to be reviewed. Semete-Makokotlela added that the process to authorise a vaccine takes about 20 months, but this time has been reduced to about three months because of…

Siyabonga Mkhwanazi siyabonga.mkhwanazi@inl.co.za Deputy Minister of Justice John Jeffrey has called for communities to work with law enforcement agencies in apprehending those behind the killing of members of the LGBTIQ community. This follows an increase in cases recently. The National Prosecuting Authority also said yesterday they had prosecutors dealing with these cases in each division. Jeffrey also said there were 30 murder and 12 rape cases against the LGBTIQ community pending in the courts in the country. Jeffrey said those with information must work with law enforcement agencies to probe the cases. “The crimes that are being perpetrated against LGBTIQ+ persons can only be addressed if the information is known to law enforcement agencies. “Therefore, NTT (national task team) members have been urged to provide any information that they…

Sibusiso Mboto sibusiso.mboto@inl.co.za HAPPINESS levels in South Africa reached an all-time low, following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on Sunday that the country was moving to adjusted level 4 of the lockdown. This was revealed by a study conducted by the University of Johannesburg, as part of the Gross National Happiness index, measuring the mood of South Africans. “The nation has been experiencing considerable mood swings in the last few days of June. On June 27, with the announcement of the level 4 lockdown, happiness levels dropped to an all-time low of 4, the lowest happiness levels ever measured in South Africa since 2019,” the report released yesterday stated. The depressed mood – the study indicated – continued throughout Monday and Tuesday, remaining way beneath the long-term average of 6.6 and…

PETER BACHTIS | Benoni Baying for Jacob Zuma’s blood in a manner of speaking, and the negative sentiments, by many who voted for, and continue to be members of the ANC, reflects the two faces that many human beings display on a daily basis in this country. ANC supporters voted him in, election after election, whilst Zuma’s filthy laundry was clearly evident. Now it is politically expedient to incarcerate him. The Afrikaans language has a wonderful word for all those who exude a holier-than-though stance against Zuma. That word is “skeinheilig”... hypocrisy emanating from those who should be taking a closer look at themselves in the mirror. Everyone, including the current ANC inner circle, were happy to let him continue with his nefarious activities, but did absolutely nothing…

THE tiny Kingdom of Eswatini has, since Monday, been engulfed in deadly demonstrations that has left scores of people injured and property worth millions of dollars destroyed. Hundreds of people were arrested as a security crackdown got under way. The people of Eswatini have been demanding constitutional reforms that they hope will usher in democracy. Protests have been held in Manzini and Mbabane, the two large cities, with thousands of people pouring into the streets day and at night. Eswatini has been ruled by an absolute monarch which many people consider corrupt and would like to see gone. Among the key demands from trade unions and opposition parties is the issue of abolishing the absolute monarch and allowing multiparty democracy to the take root in Eswatini. In response to…

Lesetja Mashao and Peter Koape June 16 is annually commemorated to pay homage to the youth who took part in the Students’ Uprising of 1976. Their efforts became the catalyst towards the attainment of freedom and democracy. The current observation of June 16 focuses on the strides made for youth development as well as the plight that today’s youth are faced with. The reflection is made necessary for determining whether the past socio-economic injustices still prevail. Section 9 of the Constitution makes provision for equality through equal opportunities that should be accessible by all citizens irrespective of race, gender and/or creed. The Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003 became an instrument for economic transformation and inclusion of black people in the mainstream economy of the country, and…

Vienna: Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg launched a new broadside yesterday against “role-playing” by political and economic leaders over the climate crisis, accusing them of using it as a business opportunity. Appearing via video-link at the Austrian World Summit on climate policy hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Thunberg, 18, derided wealthy nations’ climate commitments as “vastly insufficient”. She said net zero emissions targets by major economies were “full of gaps and loopholes”. | AFP…

Rome: German charity Sea-Watch released yesterday aerial images of what it said was a Libyan coast guard vessel firing at migrants and possibly trying to ram their boat. The altercation on Wednesday ended without the migrants being intercepted, however, and they landed early yesterday on the Italian island of Lampedusa, Sea Watch said. Many more migrants are trying to reach Europe via Libya and Tunisia this year, and the UN says more than 830 people have died in the Mediterranean, including 694 on what is known as the central route. The Sea-Watch images were recorded by a plane operated by the NGO and show impacts from two rounds hitting the water’s surface about 2-3m from the bow of a boat carrying around 50 migrants. | AFP…

US President Joe Biden arrived in Florida yesterday to offer comfort to the families of those killed and missing after last week’s condominium collapse, as authorities suspended the search-and-rescue operation due to concerns about the stability of the remaining structure. The 12-storey building partially caved in as residents slept. The confirmed death toll remains at 18, after the discovery of six more bodies in the ruins of the Champlain Towers South condominium, including those of two children, aged 4 and 10. Another 145 people are missing and feared trapped in the rubble, with hopes of finding any survivors dimming with each passing day. Workers were instructed to stop just after 2am yesterday. when movement in the debris raised concerns that the part of the building still standing could collapse, officials…

DO not take your eyes off Bafana Bafana’s failure to qualify for major tournaments recently. But that they’ll host the Cosafa Championships next week in Gqeberha means that they have a chance to redeem themselves against their regional counterparts. Many locals, myself included, will be hoping that they win the tournament at the expense of invited guests Senegal. The west Africans are the highest-ranked nation in the tournament, while they are one of the favourites heading to the Africa Cup of Nations next year. Unfortunately, Bafana failed to book their ticket to Cameroon after their epic defeat to Sudan in their last match of the group stage. That was a disappointing outing by Bafana, given that the permutations were simple: get a draw. But there is no time to sulk…

A 24th Grand Slam title is getting "further and further" away for Serena Williams after her painful exit from Wimbledon on Tuesday but she can still get there, says Mats Wilander. American great Williams, 39, injured her leg after a slip in her first-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich on Centre Court and quit in tears. It meant she remains on 23 Grand Slam singles titles, having not added to her vast collection since winning the 2017 Australian Open, losing four finals in the interim period. Some question whether Williams could be close to calling time on her career, but seven-time Grand Slam champion Wilander says she can still match Margaret Court's record. "I guess it's getting further and further away but you've got to give her a chance at the…

DOUBLE Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso is getting into a superstitious stride in his comeback season with Renault-owned Alpine. The Spaniard was asked at the Austrian Grand Prix yesterday what was behind his decision to do track inspection walks this year after not doing them much in the past. Some drivers and engineers like to walk around the circuit on the Thursday morning before it is closed, looking out for any changes. "I did one in Portimao this year because it was a new circuit," Alonso replied, referring to the Portuguese Grand Prix track. "It was the best weekend and we scored good points and felt competitive there. "We stopped doing it in Barcelona and in Monaco and we came back to not scoring points. So we said okay,…

Sandile Mchunu sandile.mchunu@inl.co.za Delta Property Fund managed to reduce its full-year loss to R456.11 million for the year to end February, down from a loss of R940.29m compared to last year despite facing corporate governance challenges and significant macro-economic constraints as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak. The real estate investment trust (Reit) had a tough year after former chief executive Sandile Nomvete resigned in August following allegations of fraud and the group appointed Sibongile Masinga as an interim chief executive. In the long-awaited results published at the close of the market on Wednesday, the group said the 2021 financial period was a watershed year for the group. “Corporate governance challenges and significant macro-economic constraints as a result of Covid-19 hard economic lockdowns culminated in several far-reaching, but positive…

SAPS dismisses threats to stop it arresting Msholozi Sihle Mavuso WITH the clock ticking for former president Jacob Zuma to hand himself over to the authorities to be jailed, or face being embarrassingly frogmarched to prison, the SAPS has dismissed as meaningless threats by supporters of the former head of state to shield him from arrest – even at the expense of their lives. In a response to several threats to lay down their lives to thwart the arrest, Brigadier Vish Naidoo, the national police spokesperson, said that when the time came they would do what they had to do, as empowered by the law. Naidoo’s comment comes as the tensions between Zuma supporters and the authorities took an unexpected twist yesterday – and worsened. “Look, I am not…

THE Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia) has set down firm frameworks that companies have to abide by to avoid fines, criminal persecution and potential reputation loss. Breaching the rules and regulations outlined by the Act can have serious financial implications for the business – implications that can cost more than money, and have long-lasting consequences. For organisations that use cold calling teams to engage with new customers and drive business growth, this is the moment to ensure that your practices adhere to the letter of the law. But before you panic about how big the impact of Popia is, remember that compliance can be of immense value to your business. Compliance reassures your customer base of your commitment to their privacy and to the ethical management of their data.…

Dr Thabisi Hoeane | Pretoria Regrettably, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is once again at it: busy sleeping on the job when one of its member states, Eswatini, is imploding. Is it waiting to act only when Swati refugees start streaming all over the region or when as usual, the army takes advantage of such instability to mount a coup? We have seen all this before, where SADC’s paralysis betrayed the subcontinent. It practically became a spectator as Robert Mugabe ran Zimbabwe into the ground. This was a fertile excuse for the army to then move in – in its own interests and those of its own accord led by Mnangagwa – under the ruse that it was chasing Mugabe to bring about stability and democracy. What…

CUBA’S excellence in medical research has been proved once again as it will probably be the first country in the world to vaccinate its entire population with its own vaccines. While most countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are scrambling to acquire vaccines, and only 3% of the region’s population has been vaccinated, Cuba’s government says it can have 70% of its population inoculated by August. This is a huge accomplishment for a tiny island nation that has been choked by the debilitating economic blockade the US imposed for 60 years. This week, Cuban authorities said its recently developed three shot Abdala vaccine has proven 92% effective against Covid-19 in advanced clinical trials. This makes the Cuban vaccine among the most effective in the world, ranking third after Pfizer-BioNTech…

Nataliya Mykhalchenko and Jörg Wiegratz THE Covid-19 pandemic has stifled many sectors of the global economy. But it has apparently boosted the business of fraudsters. We did research into major characteristics of anti-fraud measures in several African countries. In the south we looked at Malawi, Botswana, South Africa and Zambia. In the east we covered Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Madagascar and in the west Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. We looked at the various fraud responses to identify major dynamics and themes. We found a diverse set of measures had been introduced. The first notable feature was a remarkable proliferation of anti-fraud agencies and cross-agency alliances and co-operation. This was between government agencies, the government and the private sector and, at times, civil society actors such as consumer protection…

New York: Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Jennifer Hudson will star at a major concert in Central Park this summer to mark New York’s emergence from the Covid-19 pandemic, officials said yesterday. Mayor Bill de Blasio has said the concert, set for next month, is a way to celebrate the Big Apple’s “rebirth” following the crisis that has killed more than 33 000 city residents. Many of the 60 000 tickets would be distributed free of charge, veteran music producer Clive Davis said. More than 67% of adults in New York City have received at least one dose of vaccine. | AFP…

New York: Former president Donald Trump’s company and its long-serving chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, are to be charged with tax-related crimes. Weisselberg and the Trump Organization are expected to be charged with the evasion of taxes on fringe benefits. The perks included private school tuition, luxury cars and apartments, US media say. Trump, 75, has condemned the probe as politically motivated, describing it as “a continuation of the greatest witch hunt in American history”. The Trump Organization is an unlisted family holding company that owns golf clubs, hotels and luxury properties. Trump handed over the reins of the business to his two eldest sons and to Weisselberg when he went to the White House in 2017. | AFP…

Barrier-breaking female aviator Wally Funk, 82, will join Jeff Bezos this month on the first crewed spaceflight for the billionaire’s company Blue Origin, the firm announced yesterday. The trip is 60 years overdue for Funk, who was one of the Mercury 13 – the first women trained to fly to space from 1960 to 1961, but excluded because of their gender. On July 20, she will become the oldest person to go to space when she takes part in the journey aboard the New Shepard launch vehicle along with Bezos, his brother Mark and one other traveler who paid $28 million (about R404m.) at auction for the seat. Taking off from a desert in western Texas, the New Shepard trip will last 10 minutes, four of which passengers will spend…

ANDY Murray looked down and out on Wednesday but he was back doing what he likes best at Wimbledon, picking himself up and dusting himself down as he roared to a 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 second-round win over little-known German qualifier Oscar Otte. Before Wednesday, Murray had never lost a Grand Slam match to a player ranked as low as No 151 Otte and he had never been beaten before the third round at the All England Club. When the match had to be briefly halted at 2-2 in the fourth set as gathering gloom meant the Centre Court roof had to be closed so that the contest could continue under floodlights, it seemed as if Murray was on the verge of losing both of those personal milestones on…

BAROKA FC chairman Khurishi Mphahlele has described his club narrowly missing out on a top eight finish last season as a blessing in disguise that should help see them competing with the big guns in the next campaign. Baroka had their best season in the elite league with a tenth place finish, three points behind eighth-placed Kaizer Chiefs. “I can’t complain because we moved from being relegation candidates to challenging for the top eight,” Mphahlele said yesterday at the club’s headquarters here during the unveiling of new players and a new kit. “It is a good thing because the players won’t have the arrogance that they made the top eight. Instead they will know they have something to improve on.” And that improvement, Mphahlele says, should see…