Innholdsfortegnelse for 2024-11-20 i Daily News

The Free Market Foundation (FMF) has warned that the new spaza shop crackdown by-law will, in practice, have a negligible effect other than to further weaken respect for the law in South Africa. The briefing comes on the occasion of the FMF publishing Liberty First: Legal System and Property Rights, the latest in a series of policy reform proposals for the Government of National Unity to bring about economic growth and prosperity. I explained that the integrity of the legal system and respect for property rights are foundational to achieving economic freedom. On November 8, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs gazetted its standard draft township economies by-law. Virtually everything in the by-law is law in some form or another. The informal, often unregistered, shops do not even…

MORE than a month after a man had died, his family and his current wife are at a tug-of-war as to where he should be buried. The tussle prompted the judge to express his displeasure that the deceased has not been laid to rest yet and not afforded a dignified farewell to be rested at the place of his choice. On the one hand are the two children of the deceased – on the other hand is his wife, according to whom he is married in terms of customary law, as well as the son they had together. The wife had her own burial plans for the deceased, but the children insisted that he be laid to rest next to their mother – his first wife. The new wife wanted…

Oceana Group, the owner of Lucky Star, seeks to clarify inaccurate information about counterfeit canned pilchards recovered in Daveyton, Gauteng during a police operation. This comes after the SAPS in Gauteng detained seven undocumented migrants, aged 18 to 29, during a search at a facility whose employees were purportedly packing and modifying dates on expired Lucky Star canned fish. “On November 11, 2024, a joint operation between Crime Intelligence from Zamdela, Sasol- burg and SAPS Kliprivier yielded results in the fight against counterfeit goods,” said Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, provincial police spokesperson at the time. Lucky Star says investigators and third-party experts have proven this was not their product. “Investigations have established that an international manufacturer produced the canned pilchards under the Woolworths’ brand. The retailer imported and received them but…

As South Africa prepares for the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, various political parties are amplifying their voices against the crisis of violence affecting the nation. Makashule Gana, an MP and the Rise Mzansi National Assembly caucus whip, said the fight against violence required the participation of all. “The 16 Days of Activism is not just about awareness – it’s about change. It has to be about a change of attitudes towards women. And change begins with us,” Gana said. Lisa Schickerling, an MP and the DA deputy spokesperson on police, said South Africa had one of the highest rates of gender-based violence (GBV) in the world. “Every day, countless women and children are subjected to abuse, harassment and violent rapes that…

BEIRUT: A senior US official said yesterday that there was a “real opportunity” to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and that gaps were narrowing, signalling progress in Washington’s efforts to clinch a ceasefire agreement. Amos Hochstein spoke in Beirut after talks with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a day after the Lebanese government and Iran-backed Hezbollah agreed to a US ceasefire proposal, albeit with some comments on the content. A diplomat cautioned that details needed to be ironed out. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah spiralled into all-out war in September. | Reuters…

MINSK: Belarus will conduct police drills this week ahead of the country’s January presidential election to ensure that “manifestations of extremism and terrorism” are prevented, the interior ministry said yesterday. Belarus will hold the presidential vote on January 26 in which President Alexander Lukashenko, 70, who has held the country in a firm grip for the past 20 years, is not expected to lose. He has supported Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. A campaign to suppress protesters and opponents led to the imprisonment of several thousand people. | Reuters…

Australia's cricketing landscape is set to be electrified as two heavyweight teams, Australia and India, prepare to battle it out in a thrilling five-Test series over the coming six weeks. The stakes are high, with the tourists vying for a historic third consecutive series triumph on Australian soil — a feat only achieved by England in the 1880s, the West Indies a century later, and South Africa in more recent times. As the formidable Indian team looks to topple the current holders of the World Test Championship title, recent cracks in their otherwise stellar reputation have started to raise alarm bells from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. A shocking 3-0 thumping by New Zealand in their last series struck a painful blow, spotlighting a team in transition, and catalysing concerns about key…

The 2024/25 PSL campaign has revealed an early season narrative fraught with disappointment for the KwaZulu-Natal clubs, as an air of uncertainty continues to obscure their ambitions. While the season is still in its infancy, with seven games already played, the standings tell a troubling story. None of the KZN-based clubs find themselves within the top eight, a striking reminder of the province's historical football prowess. Long known as a nurturing ground for exciting talent, KZN's hopes this season have been dampened further by the absence of representation in the MTN8 and Carling Knockout. This absence from those tournaments signals a stark decline in performance that fans and experts alike will scrutinise closely. Before the season, optimism filled the air, as clubs like AmaZulu and Richards Bay garnered attention with…

Singer, rapper, and voice-over artist XXC Legacy has taken to social media to reveal how Lwazi Cele has betrayed an agreement they had to share their win on Wheel of Fortune South Africa. XXC Legacy, real name Courtney Mthethwa, entered Wheel of Fortune, which airs on S3, with Sanele “Skhindi” Ngcobo and Lwazi Cele. The episode was recorded in July and aired last month. The trio entered together to increase their chances of winning and subsequently, they did win a car valued at over R200 000. XXC Legacy shared on X that Cele had gone against their agreement to split the prize equally after they won a brand new Suzuki Celerio GL, which has a recommended retail value of R225 900, according to Cars.co.za. Throughout the episode, Cele, XXC…

The DA in eThekwini commends the swift action taken by the City Integrity and Investigation Unit (CIIU) in arresting six individuals implicated in the theft of asphalt. This development follows concerns raised by myself regarding the severe shortage of asphalt in eThekwini, which has hindered efforts to repair potholes, sinkholes, and trenches dug by the City during water pipe maintenance. This shortage has significantly impacted local businesses and residents. We applaud the CIIU’s prompt response and urge that criminal cases be pursued against the arrested individuals and internal disciplinary processes be initiated through the Human Resources unit. The eThekwini Municipality must enforce consequence management and accountability to prevent future incidents. This decisive action will safeguard municipal resources and ensure efficient service delivery. We demand accountability now! Sithembiso Ngema…

Despite there being numerous organisations to assist mothers with unwanted babies, women continue to abandon babies in plastic bags in KwaZulu-Natal. Last Thursday, a baby was found dumped on the side of the road in aManzimtoti. The SAPS had to deal with the newborn baby until the Department of Social Development (DSD) could intervene. This week, there were two more incidents where a foetus and another newborn baby were abandoned. The foetus was found in a plastic bag in a dumpster in Durban’s Berea area. In another incident, the body of a newborn baby was found in a plastic bag in Silverglen, Chatsworth. While there are various organisations in KZN where mothers with unwanted babies can get help it appears that this is not fully recognised. It is clear that…

AS excitement builds for the 11th Commonwealth Karate Championships scheduled to take place in Durban on November 27, elite karate athletes are sharpening their skills and their resolve. The coming championships promise a display of skill and technique and a celebration of cultural pride, particularly for the African continent. Among those ready to compete is Sibusiso Hadebe, 16, aka Sbu, a national and international karate champion who hails from Bloemfontein and is now based in Durban. With nearly five years of experience and currently holding a red belt, Sbu is under the tutelage of renowned instructors, including Sensei Shivona Deepchund and Hanshi Sonny Pillay, president of both Karate South Africa (KSA) and the Karate Commonwealth. Reflecting on the significance of recent competition, Hadebe spoke passionately about his experience at the…

My house was once broken into while I was asleep. During the incident, I awoke and struck up a conversation with one of the criminals, who revealed that he turned to crime because of unemployment. He graduated 10 years ago but found no job prospects, leading him to commit crimes to support his family. While I do not condone criminality, this encounter made me reflect on the broader impact of unemployment on men in society. This brings me to the issue of illegal mining in South Africa, which I believe is not just a South African problem but a Southern African Development Community (SADC) issue. The region can only thrive if leaders synchronise political, social and environmental strategies. Ignoring the interconnectedness of economic, social, and environmental factors will lead to…

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus hopes ties with the US, the biggest buyer of Bangladeshi clothes, will strengthen despite strong criticism from President-elect Donald Trump on violence against minorities in the Muslim-majority nation. Bangladesh’s neighbour and Hindu-majority India has strong cultural and business ties with Bangladesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has also expressed concern over the spate of attacks on Hindus. Protests in Bangladesh, which began in July against public sector job quotas, escalated into unrest that killed about 1 500 people. | Reuters…

DAKAR: The National Autonomous Electoral Commission (Cena) and several Senegalese opposition leaders, including former president Macky Sall, have welcomed the smooth conduct of Sunday’s legislative elections. Over 7.3 million Senegalese were registered to elect 165 MPs for a five-year term. Early results showed that Senegal’s ruling Pastef party, led by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, secured a large majority of seats in the National Assembly. Several opposition leaders praised the good organisation of the polling. | Xinhua…

Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad has labelled the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka “almost like a knockout quarter-final” in the race to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s next year. The Proteas are currently in fifth place on the WTC table with a percentage of 54.17 compared to Sri Lanka, who sit in third place with 55.56. Conrad’s team have a straight path to the final if they win these two Tests against Sri Lanka in Durban and Gqeberha, followed by two more against Pakistan over the festive season. After the disappointing performances of the Proteas white-ball teams over the past couple of months, Conrad is excited that the premier format of the game is ready to take centre stage again. “It's an exciting time…

In a groundbreaking partnership, Warner Music Africa has teamed up with award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o on her coming podcast, Mind Your Own. According to a statement, the highly anticipated podcast will feature “vibrant sounds of Warner Music Africa’s artists with insightful conversations that explore the personal narratives of African identity from the perspective of Africans in the diaspora”. The 10-part series is produced by KQED’s Snap Studios, which are known for producing podcast series such as Snap Judgment and Spooked. From soulful rhythms to modern Afrobeats, the podcast will include songs from artists from the African continent such as O.T.T by Rouge, Show My Side by CKay featuring Amaarae, and various songs from Somadina and Layzee Ella and Johannes- burg’s Kiddo CSA. Through Mind Your Own, the Holly- wood star…

South Africa’s education crisis continues to worsen, with recent reports exposing alarming statistics: 82% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning, and early childhood education outcomes are steadily declining. Budget cuts, including the Western Cape’s plan to eliminate over 2 400 teaching posts by 2025, further strain an education system already grappling with overcrowded classrooms and insufficient resources. A 2023 World Bank report underscores the critical importance of strengthening early learning foundations, emphasising the need for access to quality early childhood development (ECD) centres. The importance of quality ECD services in preparing children to learn when they enter school and throughout life cannot be overestimated, states the report. Play-based learning, recognised globally as the cornerstone of effective ECD pedagogy, is essential for equipping children with emotional readiness, cognitive skills,…

The ongoing failures of the eThekwini Municipality in providing essential services to its residents and ratepayers, who diligently pay for these services is alarming. This situation has reached a critical point, with residents in Trenance Park being without water for over six days. They were informed that the water tankers are unavailable due to a lack of diesel – a claim that is both unacceptable and indicative of deeper systemic issues. The Verulam Water Crisis Committee insists that this matter be brought to the forefront, as the failure to deliver basic services constitutes a severe human rights issue. Residents are entitled to basic amenities, and the deprivation of water – a fundamental necessity – is a violation of their rights. We highlight this plight and emphasise the critical need for…

The FW de Klerk Foundation welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decisive steps to address the food safety crisis in South Africa. Following the tragic deaths of at least 22 children, the president has ordered the closure of spaza shops linked to these deaths and set a 21-day deadline for all food handling facilities to register with local municipalities. These actions are necessary to protect public health. The foundation acknowledges the urgency of addressing food safety issues and we believe the president’s approach is a vital step toward ensuring safer food for all South Africans. The food safety crisis is a clear violation of South Africans’ constitutional rights to access safe food and a healthy environment, as enshrined in sections 27(1)(b) and 24 of the Constitution. However, the foundation is concerned about…

THE illegal miners who are still underground in Stilfontein, in the North West, are not trapped. Those who have opted not to exit the mine are simply still there because they fear being arrested. This is according to Jose Melembe, principal inspector of mines in the North West region, who handed an affidavit to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria yesterday on behalf of the Minister of Mineral Resources. This followed an application on Saturday in which the Society for the Protection of Our Constitution approached the court for an urgent order in a bid to come to the aid of the miners who were still underground. Judge Brenda Neukircher ordered on Saturday that pending finalisation of the application, the mineshaft must be unblocked and may not be locked by any…

MTN South Africa has welcomed the arrests of key individuals believed to be involved in a One Time Pin (OTP) scam syndicate. This followed a successful search- and-seizure warrant on properties believed to be headquarters of the syndicate in Eldorado Park, Soweto, at the weekend. The raid was a result of a co- ordinated effort between stakeholders including Crime Intelligence, Commercial Crimes, other crime prevention units of the police, and anonymous tip-offs, MTN said. “MTN and the Commercial Crimes Unit obtained search warrants to raid five properties in Eldorado Park believed to be associated with front businesses, suppliers, call centres and operations of an OTP scam syndicate. “In most incidents, these criminals claim to be MTN call centre agents. Their modus operandi includes requesting the customer’s security details under the…

Mr President, as a taxpayer and law-abiding citizen of this country, I refuse to be associated with a generation that has failed to manage spaza shops – it is embarrassing! If we can’t manage spaza shops, what else can we manage efficiently? Three of our biggest problems in this country are lawlessness, politicisation of the administration, and lawmakers who fail to provide the necessary political oversight at local, provincial, and national levels. After listening to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation on Saturday and reading it twice, I believe he has not done enough to mobilise communities against lawlessness and the paralysis in the public service. The president cannot be everywhere and everything to everyone. In municipalities, where councillors are obsessed with who becomes the executive mayor or speaker,…

HONG Kong’s High Court yesterday jailed 45 pro-democracy activists for up to 10 years after a landmark national security trial that has damaged the city’s once-feisty democracy movement and drawn criticism from the US and other countries. Forty-seven pro-democracy activists were arrested and charged in 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion under a Beijing-imposed national security law which carried sentences of up to life in prison. Benny Tai, a former legal scholar identified in the judgment as a “mastermind” of the activists’ plans, was sentenced to 10 years in jail, the longest sentence under the 2020 national security law. The charges related to the organising of an unofficial “primary election” in 2020 to select the best candidates for an upcoming legislative election. Prosecutors accused the activists of plotting to paralyse…

LONDON: Thousands of farmers protested at Britain’s parliament and some drove tractors through central London yesterday to demand the scrapping of an inheritance tax that they say will destroy family farms and threaten food production. Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, who owns a farm in the Cotswolds, in southern England, was among the protesters. The measure, unveiled in the new government’s budget last month, has sparked a backlash from farmers who say the ruling Labour Party does not understand rural communities. Some children joined the protest, riding toy tractors close to the Big Ben bell tower. | Reuters…

Sri Lanka's cricket selectors have made key additions to the squad ahead of the upcoming two-Test series in South Africa, scheduled to commence later this month. Seamer Kasun Rajitha and left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya have been recalled to bolster the team's arsenal, adding depth to their bowling attack. Rajitha, who last featured in a Test match against Bangladesh in March, brings with him experience from 18 previous appearances. Notably, the 31-year-old was left out of the squad during the recent 2-0 series victory over New Zealand in familiar spin-friendly conditions of Sri Lanka in September, indicating a strategic shift as they prepare to face a different challenge on South African soil. Meanwhile, Embuldeniya is poised to make his long-awaited return to the Test arena after a hiatus since July 2022.…

EnglAND football is at a critical juncture as Thomas Tuchel steps into the managerial hot seat, embarking on a mission that many believe could finally see the Three Lions lift a major trophy. The ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss, who officially begins his tenure on January 1, has been granted an 18-month contract by the FA, with the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico firmly in his sights. Departing interim manager Lee Carsley, who filled in after Gareth Southgate’s resignation, underscored the potential of the squad that Tuchel will now lead. “We have got all of the tools,” Carsley stated confidently, reflecting on the talent available and the foundation laid during his brief period in charge. With five wins from six matches, Carsley secured England’s promotion to…

AB de Villiers has called on the current Proteas leadership group to stand up and lead from the front in the remainder of the home summer as South Africa host Sri Lanka for two Test this month and close the summer with a multi-format tour of Pakistan between December and January. In white ball cricket, South Africa are coming from a 3-1 T20I series defeat to India last week, while the Test side is on a high after series victories in the Caribbean and Bangladesh recently. However, both teams are yet to display consistency and the ongoing home summer is an opportunity for the squads to get their acts together. With consistency this summer, the Test squad will find themselves at Lord's next year playing in the World Test Championship…