Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-02-25 i Daily News

An eTHEKWINI Municipality bus project that was supposed to have taken off in 2017 and has already had billions of rand injected into it over the years, could possibly start rolling in about a year’s time. That was the prediction made by the city’s Mayor Cyril Xaba about the GO! Durban project that is expected to be in keeping with global public transport trends, and entail a roll out of electric or e-buses. In other parts of the world, cities have embraced this form of transport, helping to reduce emissions in Germany and Spain. New Delhi in India currently has the highest number of e-buses in operation. Speaking at the recent C40 Cities, Mayor Cyril Xaba said the City was already making headway and has icked off a feasibility study…

EFF Member of Parliament, Carl Niehaus said he took the death threats by the founder of the right-wing Delta Force group, Leon Johan Koekemoer, seriously. Niehaus opened a case of intimidation against Koekemoer yesterday following the death threats allegedly made on Koekemoer’s Facebook page this past week. Niehaus said he was told by one of Koekemoer’s followers on Facebook about the threats made through the social media account. Niehaus said that Koekemoer’s threat on his life warranted an investigation by the police as Koekemoer was a trained former member of the Boeremag. “Koekemoer, a former member of the Boeremag, is a leader of the far right-wing group called Delta Force,” Niehaus said. “This is the same person who threatened to kill Nelson Mandela. “He is well-trained special force…

That’s it. The league title race is over! Liverpool will be crowned champions of the 2024/25 EPL season. Even the Kopites believe it now. “We’re gonna win the league!” they chanted after the masterful, controlled performance at the Etihad on Sunday. They had been wary of jumping the gun after late slips in previous Premier League title races, but after Sunday’s 2-0 triumph, few would argue with them. Arsenal’s misfire in losing 1-0 at home to West Ham on Saturday handed the Reds the advantage in the title race, and they pounced. Despite a surfeit of possession, and Jeremy Doku’s best efforts, Man City never laid a glove on the Anfield giants.   It was an imperious, clinical performance. Once the sublime Mo Salah got their opener against City…

Enzo Maresca has challenged his misfiring Chelsea squad to step up during a lean spell for Cole Palmer, admitting “we rely on Cole for everything”. The England attacking midfielder has scored 14 goals and provided six assists in the Premier League this season but his last goal was in mid-January and he last set up a goal on December 1. Chelsea, just two points behind runaway leaders Liverpool in mid-December, have slipped to seventh in the table after three defeats in their past four games, though they are just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City. Maresca, preparing his team to host rock-bottom Southampton on Tuesday, said he was not worried about Palmer’s dip in form. “I’m not concerned about Cole because Cole is a human being and during the season…

Mamelodi Sundowns are not taking anything lightly as they prepare for a stiff Sekhukhune United challenge in their Betway Premiership clash on Wednesday. The Brazilians are having yet another dominant showing this season as they continue to set the benchmark, despite a couple of hiccups along the way. They have managed to nullify the looming threat carried by title rivals Orlando Pirates, and they have kept them at arms length with a healthy 12-point buffer. Sundowns have kept the upper hand intact, and as they turn their attention to Sekhukhune United, they have shown little signs of letting loose their grip on the championship. Lingering in their memories will be one of their recent league clashes away from home that brought about their second defeat of the season,…

CONTRARY to widespread rumours of his dismissal as a Zulu warrior commander, Prince Vanana Zulu, has assured amabutho (regiments) that he is still their commander. The Prince has not been seen leading amabutho in the two events, including the imbizo on Friday which fuelled speculations of his sacking. During the imbizo which was held at the newly built Emashobeni Royal Palace, in Pongola north-east of KwaZulu-Natal, the warriors were commanded by deputy commander, induna Sipho Mhlongo. However, Prince Zulu emerged later in the day wearing his plain clothes. He told this publication that it was not true that he was sacked, but was aware that there was a campaign by certain people, who are feeding the king wrong information, so that the king would fire him. “I am still a…

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has confirmed it will institute Equality Court proceedings against music manager Nhlamulo ‘Nota’ Baloyi for alleged hate speech. The SAHRC said it initiated its own investigation and received complaints from across the country registered with the Gauteng provincial office. The SAHRC found a prima facie case of hate speech. Nota made headlines last week after he called white people inhuman, adding that they were inferior to black people while on The Hustler's Corner podcast. "They are inferior species (compared) to us. We're Homo Sapiens; they have got Neanderthal blood in them. This is the science. This science was not done by black people, it was done by them," he said. "In its assessment of the matter, the Commission considered the legal framework, which…

MONEY woes in the fraud and corruption case of former mayor of eThekwini Zandile Gumede have led to three of the 21 accused being cash-strapped after failing to afford the legal fees of top Durban counsel, advocate Paul Jorgensen. They are charged with conspiracy to commit corruption, corruption, fraud, money laundering, racketeering, and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act, and of the Municipal Systems Act, in relation to a R300-million Durban Solid Waste tender scandal. The Durban High Court yesterday advised Hlenga Sibisi, Mzwandile Dludla, and ILanga la Mahlase PTY (LTD), to look for new legal representatives before the end of this trial session. They have been represented by Jorgensen, who will continue with his services until March 28, which marks the end of the current trial session Presiding…

“OUR brothers are dead.” A man believed to be a suspect in a shootout apparently made the statement while fleeing the scene in the Lindelani, Ntuzuma area, on Sunday night. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said an unknown number of suspects in two vehicles were reportedly planning a business robbery in KwaMashu. Netshiunda said: “The suspects’ two vehicles were parked at the corner of Mdubu and Melusi streets and it is believed that the suspects had a disagreement which led to shots being fired among themselves. “Police stumbled upon that altercation and the suspects then turned their guns towards the police and they retaliated. “During the shootout, four suspects were shot and fatally wounded. A search in the vicinity of the crime scene led to the discovery of the…

The Proteas against Australia in a major ICC tournament. Considering everything has gone before it’s enough to send shivers down the spine of even the most ardent South African cricket fan. Fortunately, Tuesday’s encounter in Rawalpindi is not of the knockout kind that invariably goes the way of the world champions. Both the Proteas and Australia won their opening matches of the competition which gives them a bit of breathing space, but that does not mean this Pool B encounter will be any less rousing. There is also, of course, the small matter of an ICC World Test Championship final to be played at Lord’s later this year when Shukri Conrad’s team will be aiming to dethrone the current champs. But that’s still 103 days away, and the…

Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs may be primed to take advantage of a somewhat beleaguered Mamelodi Sundowns this weekend. The two teams will meet at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday, with many expecting a routine victory for the log-leading Brazilians. Given the teams’ current standings in domestic football and their recent head-to-head battles, it is not far-fetched to expect Sundowns to roll over Amakhosi in the same way they did their rivals Orlando Pirates in recent weeks. Sundowns have won nine of their last 11 games against Amakhosi, drawing the other two. The visitors have not beaten Sundowns in four years, with their last victory coming during lockdown when a Mosa Lebusa own goal and a Dumisani Zuma strike secured the win for Chiefs. Masandawana recently broke their own record…

“ENOUGH is enough!“ That was IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa’s rallying cry during a mass march of over a thousand people against the potential liquidation of Ithala Bank, in Durban on Monday, outside the provincial offices of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). Before handing the memorandum to a representative from the SARB, Fatima Bobbert, Hlabisa gave the SARB an ultimatum to respond to their demands within 21 days. “This is a matter that goes to the very heart of KwaZulu-Natal’s prosperity. Losing Ithala would severely undermine KwaZulu-Natal’s developmental agenda, which depends on institutions like Ithala to drive inclusive economic growth,” said Hlabisa to thundering applause. It was among some of the demands made by the IFP: “We demand that the South African Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority (PA) seize and desist…

THE Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Parks Tau, has urged the public to engage and provide input on the draft Interim Block Exemption for Tariffs Determination in the Healthcare Sector, 2025 (“draft block exemption”) for public comments. During a media briefing on Monday, Tau said the draft block exemption seeks to create a multi-stakeholder framework for tariff determination for healthcare services. He said the draft block exemption aimed to contribute to the affordable “progressive” realisation of the right to have access to healthcare services. “There is a serious concern about access to private healthcare in the country, given the high levels of market concentration and high prices. The cost of private healthcare should remain in check to ensure that most South Africans have access to affordable healthcare. “Hence, the…

The Surgeon General of the SANDF, Lieutenant-General Ntshavheni Maphaha is in the firing line for remarks made at the funeral of one of the 14 South African soldiers who died in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This soldiers were killed in clashes between the DRC armed forces and the M23 rebels last month with the remains of the soldiers having been brought home and handed over to their families at the Swartkop Air Force Base in Centurion last week following a long repatriation process. He indicated that South Africa should be one of the most feared nations in the continent but was reduced to minnows due to the under-funding of the military. Maphaha, speaking during the funeral of Staff Sergeant Ishmael Molahlehi in the Free State over the weekend,…

The Sharks are in the luxurious position to select whether they will send the same squad to the Lions that defeated the Bulls a fortnight ago or strengthen the side with some key players. Plenty of internationals were missing due to injury and resting protocols. Still, depending on who head coach John Plumtree goes with, players like captain Siya Kolisi and Jaden Hendrikse could be brought back to bulk up the squad. Both missed the trip to Pretoria, alongside tighthead prop Vincent Koch and injured players like James Venter (tear in chest muscle), Emmanuel Tshituka (dislocated big toe), and Ox Nche (tear of upper arm muscle). The World Cup-winning Springboks, including Nche, should be back to face the Lions. But, after their brilliant display against the Bulls, while playing…

WHEN an Australian cricketer walks into the press conference with a bright smile on his face on the eve of a big match like Alex Carey did on Monday, you just know that they are in the mood for a scrap. If you are the South African senior men’s national cricket team that can not be a good sign, given that you are about to face them at Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The Australians’ confidence stems from their record-breaking five-wicket victory over England this past weekend, a victory which saw them record the highest successful run chase in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy and their second-highest in ODI cricket. Now, going into the tournament, many teams would have taken this Australia side lightly seeing that they are without…

Indoor Hockey World Cup stars Tegan Fourie, Cailynn den Bakker and Edith Molikoe will add firepower to the SA women’s outdoor hockey squad that will face Malaysia in a four-match Test series. It is the SA side’s first international action under new head coach Inky Zondi. The South African trio will renew their rivalry with Malaysia from the indoor showpiece in Croatia. South Africa drew 4-4 against the Asian indoor champions in a pulsating opening match in Porec. Unfortunately for the South Africans, they were not able to kick on from there but they ended the tournament strongly, with victory over the hosts and Australia. They will be among the few players to have their Malaysian rivals recently, albeit in the indoor format.  In line with the team’s…