Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-10-23 i Mercury

Bitcoin is holding above $67 000 (R1 173 699) after yesterday’s correction after breaching the $69 000 level and rising to its highest level since late July, according to Samer Hasn, a senior market analyst at XS.com. He said yesterday’s correction comes after an upward trend that investors are pushing to continue in light of a set of supporting factors, whether from the massive inflows into crypto-investment products or from more bets on Donald Trump winning the White House again. Cryptocurrency investment products recorded massive inflows last week, reaching $2.2 billion, which represents the highest level since last July, with Bitcoin accounting for most of these flows that went to US spot ETFs, according to CoinShares. Net flows to these funds amounted to more than $294 million yesterday alone, according…

COULD this be a leather addiction? A judge in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, has according to Associated Press imposed a suspended one-month prison sentence on a fellow convicted of disturbing his neighbours by repeatedly sneaking into their properties to smell their shoes. The unnamed 28-year-old told the court he was unable to explain his behaviour which had caused him great embarrassment. He said he had no intention of breaking the law or harming anybody, and neighbours testified that he never displayed any sign of aggression during his nocturnal visits. He was arrested before dawn in the small town of Sindos, about 15km west of Thessaloniki. Police had been called after a neighbour found the defendant in his front yard sniffing his family’s shoes, which had been left outdoors to air. He…

Following the death of highly revered Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar, after a year of evading capture, it will be interesting to see what move Israel will make going forward. For months, Israelis have been holding out on the hope that the death of Sinwar, the alleged ‘mastermind’ behind the October 7 attacks, would open a pathway to negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages. His death was hoped by Israelis to have been a means to ending the war. However, as it has come to be expected in this war, nothing is ever as it seems and the goal posts keep shifting. Netanyahu has flatly crushed all hopes of such negotiations, saying that Israel would continue the war regardless of Sinwar’s death. Strategically, his death has achieved…

The statement by MP Julius Malema made in Parliament under the protection of free speech against former Minister Naledi Pandor regarding a VBS bond is absolutely scandalous. Under the cloak of parliamentary immunity, many shameless leaders hurl accusations that they will dare not utter in public. Naledi Pandor is a woman of conviction; her resolve and iron self-belief are qualities that no politicians can match in this country. She possesses intelligence, vision, and courage of the highest order. To accuse her of such allegations in the sanctity of Parliament is an outrageous act of a deranged politician. Character assassination is on the increase in Rainbow South Africa as aspiring politicians and incumbent leaders vie for political power. Sadly, every political party is guilty of this heinous and sinister strategy. Lies…

As the festive season approaches, the eThekwini Municipality is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of visitors to the city by allocating R5.4 million for various safety interventions. The municipality announced that the executive committee had approved the allocation yesterday, with funds being reprioritised from the Beachfront Management Office (BMO). This decision received widespread support from councillors across party lines, who emphasised the importance of maintaining the city’s beaches and amenities in pristine condition ahead of the influx of visitors. A report on the matter read: “The authority sought to approve the reprioritisation of the operating budget within the Urban Renewal in the amount of R5 400 000 to assist with several interventions to be implemented for the festive season.” It was also noted that this reallocation would not…

A University of Pretoria (UP) professor is part of a global team whose new research estimates that 10 000 lives could be saved in South Africa alone if the government were to implement the “endgame strategy” of banning cigarette sales to people born between 2006 and 2010 – even when they get older and become adults. Professor Lekan Ayo-Yusuf, head of UP’s School of Health Systems and Public Health and director of the National Council Against Smoking (NCAS), along with researchers from Spain, France, New Zealand, the US, China and Brazil, set out to estimate the impact of eliminating tobacco smoking on lung cancer mortality in people born between 2006 and 2010 across 185 countries until 2095. Their first-of-its-kind global simulation study of 650 million people predicts nearly three million…

Alarm has been raised about the country’s child rape crisis, as there were more than 106 000 rape cases involving children reported over the past six financial years in South Africa. This is according to a response to a parliamentary inquiry made by the DA. Lisa Schickerling, the DA deputy spokesperson on police, said the party would write to the Portfolio Committees on Police, Social Development, and Justice to hold an emergency joint meeting to address the dire need for coordinated interventions regarding the crime. The party stated that their parliamentary inquiry revealed that, between the financial years of 2018/2019 and 2023/2024, an average of 1 472 child rape cases were reported monthly. Beyond rape, sexual assault cases were also pervasive, with 316 cases reported monthly. Schickerling said the trend…

Independent Media and Independent Online (IOL) have formally withdrawn from the Press Council of South Africa (PCSA). The group announced that it had pulled out with immediate effect. The group said the decision came after considerable deliberation and the company’s efforts to engage with the Press Council on a fair and transparent basis. The company recently accused the PCSA of being biased following its ruling, which favoured News24 against Sunday Independent. This was after columnist Edmond Phiri on March 3, 2024, sparked a debate after writing an opinion piece comparing News24 journalist Karyn Maughan with Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl. Maughan and News24 filed complaints against the Sunday Independent following the publication of the opinion piece. However, despite the company presenting a solid defence against the allegations made by News24, the…

I choose to write for Independent Media because it empowers marginalised voices As a veteran writer committed to exploring leftist perspectives on social justice as well as feminist, black consciousness, and counter-hegemonic narratives, I have witnessed the systematic marginalisation of alternative viewpoints in South Africa’s media landscape. The consolidation of media ownership has not only homogenised news content but has actively suppressed voices that challenge the status quo. In this context, Independent Media stands out as a citadel of genuine diversity and freedom of expression, providing a critical platform for underrepresented voices. The suppression of views alternative to the liberal-conservative hegemony is not a peripheral issue but a central challenge to the health of our democracy. The media, as the fourth estate, is entrusted with the responsibility of reflecting the…

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Israel yesterday to push for a ceasefire in Gaza after his administration called for an end to the war in Lebanon “as soon as possible”. It is his 11th trip to the Middle East since Hamas’s attack on Israel more than a year ago triggered the Gaza war, and his first since Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah escalated late last month. He was due to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials, as Israel weighs its response to Iran’s October 1 missile attack. In Lebanon, Israel hit an area of south Beirut housing the country’s largest public health facility, killing 13 people, the Health Ministry said. The Rafic Hariri Hospital outside Hezbollah’s traditional strongholds sustained minor damage in the strike that…

China said yesterday that it had reached a “resolution” with India over issues related to their disputed border, after New Delhi said it had struck a deal with Beijing for military patrols along the frontier. China and India, the world’s two most populous nations, are intense rivals and have regularly accused each other of trying to seize territory along their unofficial divide, known as the Line of Actual Control. After a border skirmish in 2020, which killed at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers, both sides pulled back tens of thousands of troops and agreed not to send patrols into a narrow strip surrounding the Line of Actual Control. Beijing’s foreign ministry said yesterday that it had given its “positive approval” to a border deal, confirming a similar…

Kampala: A Ugandan military tribunal yesterday convicted 16 members of an opposition party of “illegal possession of explosive devices and treachery”, according to a defence lawyer. The prosecution alleged that the 16 members of the National Unity Platform, as well as others who are still on the run, were found in possession of explosives between November 2020 and May 2021, while elections were underway. Former singer and Opposition figure Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, claimed the group had been forced to plead guilty and seek a presidential pardon. The 16 who have spent four years in jail will appear in court today for their sentencing. | AFP…

KINSHASA: Democratic Republic of Congo’s army said yesterday that it had taken back the eastern town of Kalembe a day after it was seized by M23 rebels. Kalembe, a town in Walikale territory in militia-plagued North Kivu, came under M23 control on Sunday morning when rebels seized it from Congolese armed forces and the Wazalendo alliance of pro-government armed groups. The Tutsi-led M23 group has been waging an insurgency in the central African country’s east since 2022. An official from Walikale territory, Kabaki Alimasi, confirmed the army had taken the town back but said fighting continued nearby. | Reuters…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday said South Africa saw its BRICS partner, Russia, as a “valued ally” in global trade and geopolitics. Ramaphosa yesterday held a bilateral meeting with his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. “We continue to see Russia as a valued ally, as a valued friend who supported us right from the beginning, from the days of our Struggle against apartheid up until now,” Ramaphosa said. “So, we are really delighted to be here and to know that we are going to have very important discussions here in Kazan, within the BRICS family.” Ramaphosa arrived in Kazan yesterday morning to lead South Africa’s participation in the XVI BRICS Summit, which is held under the theme: “Strengthening Multilateralism for…

Former Miss South Africa (1997), Kerishnie Naiker, is grateful to finally be back on her feet after being wheelchair-bound for five months. The former beauty queen, who was placed top five at Miss World 1998, was accidentally injured by a tourist on May 1 and had to be hospitalised. Throughout her recovery journey, she said she had learned a lot about being wheelchair-bound and continues to educate others. “I could write a book about my perspective from a wheelchair but I’ll leave those stories for another time suffice it to say that life can change in an instant. “We cannot go through life living it in anaesthesia. As challenging as the last 6 months have been, I could not be more grateful for the gift of another day,” she said.…

“My son-in-law and I work together. From a few weeks ago, he’s been my boss. It doesn’t bother me but it makes things difficult for other employees. What does bother me is his promotion has changed our family. Even my daughter is treating me in new, unusual ways. This is what is painful.” Your communication reveals nothing about the nature of your work, the size of your company, or the number of people now reporting to your son-in-law. Research your company’s policies. Credible companies have policies and guidelines already in place about family members who work together and supervise each other. Such guidelines are in place for good reasons. Family members working together can present unusual challenges and unanticipated problems – as you have now experienced. Regarding your daughter whom…

The DA in KwaZulu-Natal has written to Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka in a bid to ensure that regulations around vendors selling any kind of food to school children are strengthened. The appeal comes after scores of children at Ngaqa Primary School in Mtubatuba were admitted to hospital earlier today( 21 October 2024). This is after buying and consuming food from vendors outside the school. According to media reports, 22 learners have already been admitted to hospital, with the number expected to rise. The snacks are sold from unregulated vendors, mostly aligned to stores operated by foreign nationals. This latest incident comes just a few days after six young children from Soweto died after consuming contaminated snacks. The DA welcomes recent developments from NATJOINTS, the national structure responsible for…

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson wants Durban’s beaches to regain their Blue Flag status. Speaking at a media briefing in Durban yesterday, Macpherson said the department wanted to assist to help address infrastructure challenges in eThekwini. He added that he hoped that eThekwini Municipality would apply for the recently announced national project preparation fund to address bulk infrastructure and wastewater issues. Macpherson said that although tourism and the hospitality industry do not fall under the mandate of the department, it was a major contributor to the economy and created jobs. “It is concerning when we look at the decline in tourism numbers and bookings are down year on year. There are a number of factors that contribute to that such as the state of beaches and…

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the SAPS, is investigating an incident that occurred on Monday at Ngaqa Primary School in Mtubatuba where multiple pupils became ill after consuming snacks purchased from a vendor outside the school’s premises. Education department spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said 43 pupils from the school had been affected. “As the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal, we can confirm that the incident of food poisoning did happen yesterday (Monday) at a school called Ngaqa Primary School,” he said. Mahlambi stated the pupils were taken to a local clinic and released after receiving medical treatment. He said tests would be conducted at a laboratory regarding the source of the poisoning. “We are working together with the Department of Health and the…

Illegally imported electrical products are flooding the South African market, a recent survey has found. A survey conducted by civil society group, Tax Justice SA (TJSA), found that among the leaders of electro-technical companies, 78% were “very concerned” about the growing influx of non-compliant electrical products that are entering the market. These included electrical cables, plugs, switches, sockets, circuit breakers and other fittings. TJSA founder Yusuf Abramjee, who is also a well-known crime fighting activist in South Africa, said rogue suppliers were exploiting loopholes to flout safety standards and dodge import duties. “Their deadly products are widely available, particularly through online sites, and the authorities who are meant to protect us are doing little about it. “We cannot afford to wait any longer. The government and enforcement agencies like the…

WHILE artificial intelligence (AI) applications is set to give a $136-billion (R2.3 trillion) boost to the economies of four African countries by 2030, South Africa is among the least technologically ready to exploit the opportunities. AI is expected to spur employment opportunities in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria in just six years. A study, conducted by the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) AI Hub in partnership with Intel, titled “A Study on the AI Landscape of Universities in Africa”, reviewed the state of AI readiness at universities in Africa. Written by acting director of the TUT Hub of the Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa (AIISA), Professor Anish Kurien, and Intel’s director of government affairs in Africa, Dr Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo, the study also provided indicators on the readiness…

Members of the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) have expressed growing frustration with the management of transport state-owned enterprises (SOEs), particularly focusing on Transnet, which they described yesterday as being on the brink of collapse due to mismanagement. In a heated session with Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, MPs probed the performance of SAA, Transnet, the Road Accident Fund (RAF), and the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa), suggesting the entities were unlikely to meet their performance targets. Creecy acknowledged the problematic situation surrounding Transnet, revealing that total irregular expenditure for the 2023/2024 financial year amounted to R1.76 billion, which was a 37% decrease from the previous year. Fruitless and wasteful spending was at R15 million, but this was a significant drop from R120m in the previous financial year. Despite…

Two dozen world leaders gathered in Russia yesterday for the opening of a three-day summit of the BRICS group, an alliance of emerging economies that the Kremlin hopes will challenge Western “hegemony”. With the summit, the biggest such meeting in Russia since it ordered troops into Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin is seeking to show Western attempts to isolate Moscow over the two-and-a-half-year offensive have failed. Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – all key partners for Russia – are scheduled to join the gathering, hosted in the western city of Kazan until tomorrow. Putin, Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa have already arrived in Kazan, Russian media reported, while Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said Xi had landed. Moscow…

South Korea may consider supplying weapons to Ukraine to counter military ties between North Korea and Russia. Officials accused Pyongyang of sending 1 500 special forces personnel to Russia for training, likely for combat in Ukraine. A senior official from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office indicated that South Korea is preparing various measures, including the potential supply of lethal weapons if the situation escalates. While South Korea has focused on non-lethal aid, such as demining equipment, the remarks signal a more proactive stance towards arming Ukraine. The National Security Council (NSC) condemned North Korea’s actions, calling it a “criminal organisation” for sending troops to fight as “Russia’s mercenaries.” The NSC stated that if military collusion continues, South Korea will respond firmly with the international community. | Reuters…

Caracas: Venezuelan authorities have confirmed the arrest of former Oil Minister Pedro Tellechea on charges of committing “serious crimes” that threaten national interests, the Public Prosecutor’s Office said this week. Tellechea was taken into custody on Sunday following an “exhaustive scientific investigation,” according to an official statement. One of the charges alleges that he was involved in “the delivery of the Automated Control and Command System” – which plays a critical role in the operations – of the state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela S A to a company “controlled by the intelligence services” of the US. | Xinhua…

Maputo: EU poll observers yesterday noted irregularities in the results of Mozambique’s general election, which has been contested by the opposition. On Monday, riot police in the capital Maputo fired tear gas to disperse a crowd protesting against alleged fraud in the October 9 presidential and parliamentary election, days after two associates of opposition presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane were shot dead. The EU observers urged election authorities in the southern African country to conduct the ballot count “in a transparent and credible manner, ensuring the traceability of polling station results”. | AFP…

As the clock ticks down to tonight's Betway Premiership clash at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, all signs point towards another goal avalanche for Mamelodi Sundowns as they prepare to host the beleaguered Royal AM. After a resounding 5-0 victory against Golden Arrows in the Carling Knockout's first round over the weekend, the defending champions seem poised for yet another triumphant outing. Despite the emphatic scoreline, coach Manqoba Mngqithi expressed dissatisfaction, lamenting that his team failed to capitalise on numerous goal-scoring opportunities. This is disconcerting news for a Royal AM side that recently suffered a three-goal rout at the hands of Cape Town City in the same knockout competition. The stats paint a daunting picture for the visitors as they approach a fixture against a team brimming with confidence and attacking…

In a world that is becoming in- creasingly conscious of dietary choices and their ethical implications, a recent post by food blogger Nalini Unagar has reignited the age-old debate on vegetarianism versus non-vegetarianism. Posted on X, the message struck a chord among many, sparking an avalanche of responses that reflected the deep divisions and passionate views surrounding food choices. Unagar, who proudly identifies as a vegetarian, shared an image of her simple meal of rice and dhal. The caption said: “I’m proud to be a vegetarian. My plate is free from tears, cruelty and guilt.” Her declaration quickly spiralled into a storm of criticism and controversy. Her tweet has amassed more than 3.8 million views and 37 000 likes. The backlash was rapid; many users interpreted her statement as judgemental…

Two letters and two divergent views on the Gaza war. Typically, they are so one-sided and partisan. As expected, the letter by Z Khan, “Sinwar was obsessed with the freedom of the Palestinian people”, is anti-Israel and pro-Palestine while the letter by Rolene Marks from the South African Zionist Federation, “Decisive blow to Hamas and Global Terror”, is likewise so Semitic and anti-Palestine. Both are blinkered. Allegiance is a wonderful quality in humans but blind faith can be dangerous. It is so often used by power-hungry leaders to whip up the masses into a frenzy and justify their ideological cause. Millions of lives have been lost because of religious intolerance and hatred. The scourge of war has blighted mankind for so long. Which God do Khan and Marks pray to?…

The Reserve Bank of South Africa (Sarb) has been criticised recently by many economists for its cautious approach to cutting interest rates. Many of them say that the prevailing high interest rates are one of the main contributing factors behind sluggish economic growth, high unemployment, and persistent poverty because high rates will always suppress economic growth by making borrowing more expensive for the business sector, which is creating most of the jobs in SA. And they say that high interest rates also force consumers to spend less and slow down growth. In addition, critics argue that Sarb should follow the other central banks that adopted more aggressive rate cuts to stimulate their economies. However, the governor of Sarb, Mr Lesetja Kganyago, has responded to all these criticisms by stating that…

A power play is taking place within the ANC in the eThekwini region with an attempt to muzzle regional secretary Musa Nciki. During the latest meeting of the party’s regional executive committee (REC) at Durban’s City Hall on Monday, an unsuccessful attempt was made to place on the agenda the issue of Nciki being subjected to the party’s step-aside policy and for him to be excluded from the meeting. Nciki is out on bail after his arrest earlier this year for alleged reckless driving and operating an unlicensed vehicle. It is understood that there was a swift discussion of the matter that included ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) deployees Mthandeni Dlungwane, Bongi Sithole-Moloi and Nonhlanhla Khoza. They resolved that the meeting should continue as the matter was not an issue…

THE Ministry of Police has come under criticism for taking almost two years to fill the vacant position of the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) Judge. This comes after it emerged that former DPCI Judge Frans Diale Kgomo’s contract was not extended in October 2022. Kgomo’s successor, Judge Frans Legodi, was appointed only in May this year to oversee the investigation of complaints related to infringement of the rights of the public by DPCI investigators and interference in probes conducted by the Hawks. The non-filling of the position took place while Bheki Cele was the minister of police. Charmaine Marshall, the director in the Office of DPCI Judge, said their office had been without a judge appointed for the whole of the 2023/24 financial year. “What we did in…

A Mpumalanga farm manager has been denied bail by the Middelburg Magistrate's Court. Reinhardt Steyn, 24, and his three co-accused, Dumisani Chriswell Masilela, 33, Stephan Wilson, 30, and Dumisani Luthuli, have all been charged with murder. Their bail was denied in court this week. Regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mpumalanga, Monica Nyuswa, said the court ruled that there were no exceptional circumstances warranting the release of the men. “The court felt that the accused failed to prove the exceptional circumstances permitting their release on bail,” said Nyuswa. The matter has been postponed to November 1 for further investigation. The four men are charged with two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and malicious property damage. Nyuswa previously…

The digital banking sector faced an unprecedented 45% increase in fraud in 2023, resulting in a 47% surge in financial losses. This is according to the annual crime statistics for 2023 released this week by the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric). Sabric said there had been a surge in cybercrime, including phishing, ransomware, and online fraud. Of particular concern was banking app fraud, which accounted for 60% of all digital banking crimes. Sabric noted that the growing reliance on online banking platforms, combined with the sophistication of cybercriminals, had made the digital banking sector a prime target for fraudsters. “The increased use of banking apps by customers, while convenient, has also opened up new opportunities for cybercriminals,” Sabric stated. The report also highlighted the concerning trend of cybercriminals…

The Eastern Cape Department of Education suspended the Computer Applications Technology (CAT) exam for matric pupils in the Kariega area yesterday. This was due to the devastating floods and heavy rainfall affecting the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. Education department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said the exam had to be suspended due to power outages caused by localised flooding. Mtima said they had dispatched officials to attend to the issue. He said an update would be provided at a later stage. Evacuations took place in Gqeberha and Kariega due to the flooding. Gift of the Givers chairperson and founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman said teams had been in contact with disaster management and Nelson Mandela Bay municipal manager, Mandla George, from Sunday. He said in the early hours of yesterday, calls were…

The recent spate of food poisoning cases among schoolchildren has ignited a heated debate on illegal foreign nationals operating businesses in the country. Alarmingly, these incidents have predominantly involved victims who purchased food and snacks from spaza shops, many of which are owned and run by foreign nationals. Finding their way into South Africa appears considerably easy for many citizens from neighbouring countries. Nationals from Lesotho and Zimbabwe often travel across rivers or through less regulated border paths, making their way into the so-called “promised land”. Others simply bribe their way past border control. While a number of these foreign nationals contribute positively to the economy, taking on jobs and tasks that many locals may shun, including informal trading, a concerning trend has emerged. The issues surrounding food safety…

An unprecedented union of pro-Western opposition forces is hoping to win Georgia’s elections on Saturday against a ruling party accused of democratic backsliding and drifting towards Russia’s orbit. Four opposition alliances have agreed to form an interim coalition government to carry out far-reaching reforms before holding new elections, and opinion polls suggest they are poised to secure enough votes. The Unity to Save Georgia alliance is led by the United National Movement (UNM), Georgia’s main opposition force, founded in 2001 by now jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili. The staunchly pro-Western centrist party pledges to revive its sweeping reform efforts, which, during its 2003-2012 tenure, helped transform Georgia from a failed state into a functioning democracy. The party faces significant criticism in Georgian society, as those hasty reforms alienated many who felt…

New York: Disgraced Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein has been diagnosed with a form of bone marrow cancer, US media reported Monday, a month after he was indicted on a new sex crime charge. Weinstein is serving a 16-year prison sentence after being convicted on rape charges in California. Weinstein, 72, has chronic myeloid leukaemia and is undergoing treatment in a New York prison. His reported diagnosis comes after a string of health issues for the once powerful entertainment mogul. He also underwent emergency heart surgery last month, after which his representative said he was “out of danger at the moment.” Juda Engelmayer, Weinstein’s spokesperson, said it was “troubling” that his health issues “have become a subject of public discourse.” | AFP…

Nairobi: The UN expressed concern yesterday over the repatriation of four Turkish refugees from Kenya who rights groups say were abducted and forcibly returned in violation of international law. The four were sent back to Türkiye on Friday, according to the Kenyan foreign ministry. It followed media reports that they had been kidnapped on the street in the Kenyan capital Nairobi along with three others who were later released. UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, called on Kenya’s government “to abide by their international legal obligations and in particular, to respect the principle of non-refoulement, which protects asylum-seekers and refugees. | AFP…

The key to winning any competition is the ability to peak at the right moments, and Western Province opener Daniel Smith certainly feels they are hitting their straps ahead of the CSA T20 Challenge play-off today. Province have endured a topsy-turvy round-robin phase, with Salieg Nackerdien’s team edging through to the knockouts in fourth place. Province will now face third-placed North West in the Eliminator at the Wanderers today. Last season’s CSA 1-Day Cup champions have certainly shown their ability to win virtual knockout matches by beating both the power-packed Lions and Knights in the final two matches when qualification was on the line. “We knew what was at stake on Friday night, and the boys most definitely executed their game plans with both bat and ball. The way we…