Innholdsfortegnelse for 2023-11-02 i Cape Argus

GRASSY Park police have raised the alarm after two convicted killers were recently handed a mere five years’ imprisonment by the Wynberg Regional Court. Station commander Colonel Dawood Laing said investigators had been left baffled by the light sentences after thorough investigations by detectives had secured the convictions.Laing said despite their best efforts some gangsters were getting away with murder. In the first case, dating back to 2017, an alleged thief was attacked by an angry mob in Grassy Park and dumped in the Philippi farmlands to die. “At the time, I was stationed at Philippi police station and he was brought to the station by a farmer who had found the badly beaten man near his water pump,” said Laing. “At the time the victim told me he was…

A young Philippi woman accused of stabbing her attacker to death has been released on R500 bail by the Athlone Magistrate’s Court after handing herself over to police. Shakira Samodien, 19, said her cousin’s partner beat her up during a heated argument on Sunday afternoon. She said she was traumatised by the attack, which left her with multiple injuries. Speaking soon after being released from the holding cells, the woman said she did not mean to kill Mark Cloete, 35, but was scared he would kill her. “It was after 3pm on Sunday and I was walking with my friends in Jabula (Informal Settlement) when they told me to go into the shop to buy Snappers. “He is my cousin’s boyfriend and we don’t really talk but then he just…

PREMIER Alan Winde has chosen to remain mum over allegations that a member of his executive flouted the rules of the ministerial handbook after accusations surfaced that Infrastructure MEC Tertius Simmers claimed housing benefits while he owned property in the metro. The matter has renewed claims of factionalism in the DA ahead of next year’s elections, with opposition parties saying Winde’s silence was in stark contrast to how he acted on fraud and corruption allegations against former speaker Masizole Mnqasela. Simmers has been accused of “double dipping” at the expense of taxpayers after it emerged that he received a housing subsidy. Simmers said he had not breached the guidelines of the handbook. “I’ve purchased two properties for investment purposes. The purchase is of public knowledge as declared to the…

The Palestinian Solidarity Group (PSG), like many other voices of ordinary South African civil society, are constructively and meaningfully responding to the current massacre of the Palestinian people by the Zionist apartheid Israeli occupiers. Seeing people of all ages and from all communities and organisations assemble and demonstrate outside the legislature (244 Langalibalele Street) last Thursday proved that our call, voices and cries were not in vain. Thank you to ordinary South Africans living in Pietermaritzburg for standing up for the Palestinian struggle for self-determination and for opposing this current brutal war against defenceless and innocent children, women and men. The scenes of support and solidarity, the placard posters and banners, the pickets, the protest marches and the chants for a free Palestine and a better world for all who…

All of us recall the dark and uncertain days of the first few months of Covid-19 in South Africa. Initially, our government, in its wisdom, called for a destructive lockdown – almost destroying the economy of South Africa. Millions of jobs were destroyed and families were economically brought to their knees. After enormous pressure was brought to bear on the government and the various ministries trying to handle the pandemic, it was agreed that under certain circumstances, businesses could reopen and begin to function in an abnormal world. It was at that time that the Minister of Employment and Labour, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, tried to put together policies and directives for the return to work. Consolidated directions on occupational health and safety measures in certain workplaces…

Transnet has been decimated into an unrecognisable state. A well-functioning society is one that has a government that prioritises its people through the effective running of state organs. A failed state such as the one run by the corrupt ANC government is one that has dismally failed to maintain state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to the point of bankruptcy without adequate consideration of the far-reaching implications on members of society. Transnet and the string of recent resignations is the culmination of state failure and an erosion of public assets. The resignation of Transnet group chief executive (GCE) Portia Derby, which was followed by the resignations of Transnet Group chief financial officer Nonkululeko Dlamini and Freight Rail CEO Sizakele Mzimela, represents the failed project of attempting to disparage the legacy of business excellence…

Fresh from their Carling Knockout round of 16 triumph over hosts Chippa United, Stellenbosch FC are fancying their chances against Polokwane City. Polokwane will host Stellenbosch in a quarter-final clash at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium tomorrow night (7.30pm kick-off). Polokwane will be in an equally buoyant mood after they produced the most convincing result in the last-16 round of 16, where they trounced the highly fancied SuperSport United 4-1. Polokwane’s giant-killing act does not faze Stellies captain Deano van Rooyen, though. “We’re going to Polokwane to win this match,” said Van Rooyen. “The mood has been good in camp, and everyone is excited. “Picking up the win away from home against Chippa United has given us a boost heading into these quarter-finals. “We know it is going to be…

Two youngsters were shot and killed and another one wounded on Tuesday afternoon in N2 Gateway, Delft while visiting a friend’s house. Witnesses say the friends were sitting outside on the stoep smoking dagga in Section 23 when unknown gunmen arrived and opened fire, killing an 18 year-old and a 21 year-old. Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, said the motive for the attack forms part of a police investigation and the suspects were yet to be arrested. “Delft police are investigating two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder following a shooting incident on Tuesday, 31 October 2023 where two men aged 21 were shot and fatally wounded and two men aged 18 and 21 shot and wounded. “Police members were called to the crime scene where they found…

A Brackenfell teenager with a heart brimming with empathy and a burning desire to make a difference wants to provide “Blessing Bags” to those who need them most – the homeless. Trinity van Beeck, 16, a Grade 10 pupil at Curro Durbanville High School, is on a mission to bring about significant change in her community by providinghygiene packs, which cost between R100 and R110 each. The “Blessing Bags” contain items like toothpaste, deodorant, toothbrushes, facecloths, feminine hygiene products, wet wipes, lotion and soap. “It is no secret that homelessness in South Africa has reached unprecedented levels. Despite our country’s rich cultural diversity and vast economic potential, we are also confronted with the daunting challenge of homelessness,” said Van Beeck. “A substantial portion of our population grapples with the harsh…

The triumphant return of the Springboks has breathed new life into a hit song by artists Juaniel Nielo Espin, 27, from Montagu and Derek Plaatjies, 30, from Ashton, the duo behind the iconic Rugby World Cup anthem, Maak oop die hekke (Open the gates). OR Tambo International Airport was packed with excited fans on Tuesday as the Bokke flew home with the coveted Webb Ellis Trophy. It was a huge moment for Derek and Nielo when Maak oop die hekke was played as the world champs paraded through the airport. Derek told sister newspaper Daily Voice they were completely dumbstruck: “We saw on social media the videos that were trending and it was such a proud moment. Just to think the word champions are being received with our song; it…

The Springboks are the champions of the world! Halala. That sprinkling of nostalgia gripped the nation on Saturday night and boy did it feel good. But we as South Africans are spoiling the celebrations by politicising the whole victory. The mainstream and social media have been pummelling our minds with how the Boks united the nation. Who are we fooling? Unity will come when equality reigns. Can’t we just celebrate the success of our national team without adding spices and superlatives? At least I still have my maize meal in my cupboard. It’s the only unity I have for now as it triumphs hunger.…

“I do not agree that the dog (Palestinians) in a manger has the final right to the manger even though he may have lain there for a very long time. I do not admit that right. I do not admit, for instance, that a great wrong has been done to the Red Indians of America or the black people of Australia. I do not admit that a wrong has been done to these people by the fact that a stronger race, a higher-grade race, a more worldly-wise race, to put it that way, has come in and taken their place,” said Winston Churchill. Indeed, the presence of the British Empire in Palestine is a significant chapter in the complex history of the region. Following the fall of the Ottoman State…

Your article “Education Matters” (Cape Argus, October 26) refers. There is no comparison between South Africa’s journey to democracy in 1994 and Israel, which is the only democracy in the Middle East and has been since 1948. Despite Israel being at war shortly after having its own state with two self-governing Palestinian Territories alongside it, it has made many attempts over the years at a fairer partition so peace can prevail. All offers were rejected. Now one cannot even negotiate as Israel’s very existence is not accepted. No mention by the writer of the Jews being shunted from pillar to post from the beginning of time or the genocide of the Holocaust, which necessitated a Jewish State. JS Trakman | Sea Point…

THE recent developments in eThekwini Municipality over unspent funds and a declined request for a roll-over of R1.2 billion is cause for concern. The municipality with its collapsing infrastructure stands to forfeit R1.2 billion back to the National Treasury. The City awaits the Treasury’s final decision on the matter. These funds were meant to fix the infrastructure that was damaged by the floods in April and May last year. eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda says the main reason for the roll-over of the grants was that R1.53bn from the Municipal Disaster Management Grant for flood damages was only received on March 16 this year. Opposition parties – especially ActionSA which brought the matter to the public’s attention – are not buying this explanation. Earlier this year, ActionSA dragged the City to…

Saudi Arabia is prepared to host the 2034 World Cup in summer or winter, its football chief said, as the conservative oil giants were anointed the tournament’s hosts just weeks after announcing a bid. The quick-fire crowning of the alcohol-free desert monarchy, which first allowed non-religious foreign tourists in 2019, comes less than a year after neighbouring Qatar held the first winter World Cup, and the first in the Middle East. Despite summer temperatures touching 50°C in the major cities, Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser al-Misehal did not rule out playing the tournament in the hottest months. “Of course, we are ready for all possibilities,” Misehal said late on Tuesday at the Asian Football Confederation awards in Doha, when asked about the tournament’s timing. “Today, there are many new…

Economic growth lags behind debt, expenditure LOWER revenue performance, increased wage bill costs and higher projected debt-service expense have been reflected in the country’s budget deficit that increased by R54.7 billion compared with the 2023 Budget estimates. Tabling the 2023 medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS) in the National Assembly, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that rising annual budget deficits had reached a level where the government would borrow an average of R553bn a year over the medium term. As a result, gross debt would rise from R4.8 trillion in 2023/24 to R5.2 trillion in the next financial year. By 2025/26, it would exceed the R6 trillion mark, Godongwana said. “Over the next three years, debt-service costs as a share of revenue…

A young man who specialises in modifying cars has been left disfigured after he was stabbed in the eye, allegedly by a client. Kyle Appollis, 19, was attacked in Strandfontein as he was modifying a car on October 13. He spent five days in hospital where his left eye had to be removed after the brutal attack. Appollis said: “The client contacted me and said his car almost burnt while on the road, due to sound wires I had fitted for him. “He said it caused the rear of his car to burn. I said I would check and see if I could fix it. “He came to me with three of his friends. I was home alone and I could see that they were drunk. “They demanded a R1…

He was so excited about the Springboks winning the World Cup. His dream was to meet the team one day, but sadly, he suffered a heart attack shortly after the final whistle on Saturday. The Springboks clinched their fourth World Cup trophy in dramatic style on Saturday after beating long-time rivals New Zealand 12-11 in the final. However, minutes after the final whistle blew, well-known Bok supporter Andrew van Wyk, 58, died of a suspected heart attack while celebrating in the street with his Macassar community. His sad wife, Catherina, said that one moment they were celebrating the Springbok's victory, and the next she found Andrew's body lying in the street. “We watched the match together and he was very happy in the house. When it came to the end…

The illegal invasions of subway spaces in and around Rondebosch are something of the past. This is the bold statement of Mikhail Manuel, a local ward councillor who is on a mission to reclaim the invaded subways. Manuel says that four of the five subways in his ward were invaded during the Covid-19 pandemic. “These subways were permanently locked during the Covid-19 lockdown and as a result, people moved into them. “For the last two years social development and law enforcement have been meeting with the people living in them and steadily over time the number of people living there has been reduced,” Manuel says. There are 21 subways in Ward 59, five are managed by Prasa and the remaining 16 by the City of Cape Town. Of the 16…

I was interested to see, from your headline, that our ANC government is calling for a genocide probe against Israel. Where was there concern when more than 1 500 innocent Israeli men, women, children and babies were slaughtered by the ANC’s friends, Hamas, on October 7? Where was its voice when 350 innocent people were taken hostage, tortured and killed by Hamas? Where was the ANC when a beautiful German hostage was tortured, murdered and then paraded in her underwear through the streets of Gaza? It has become increasingly clear that our government, once having been captured by criminals, has been captured by the BDS. Hamas has raped, tortured and slaughtered innocent civilians but, apparently, this was acceptable to our government, as long as Israel did not protect itself. Hamas…

In THE realm of global health and humanitarian efforts, few programmes have had as profound an impact as the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, known as Pepfar. For two decades, Pepfar has been a beacon of hope for millions of people living with HIV/Aids, particularly in Africa, offering life-saving treatment and support. However, the recent failure of the US Congress to authorise the renewal of Pepfar has cast a shadow of uncertainty over its future. This predicament underscores the critical need for South Africa, and indeed the entire African continent, to prioritise the expansion of pharmaceutical manufacturing. It’s a defining moment that necessitates a bold, decisive response. Pepfar’s impact is undeniable, with estimates suggesting that it has saved the lives of 25 million people since its inception two…