Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-09-21 i Pretoria News

Number of factors such as severe power cuts left economists speculating SOUTH Africa’s economic outlook deteriorated in the third quarter due to a number of factors such as severe power cuts, leaving economists speculating that the country’s economy will not grow by the expected 2% this year. The composite leading business cycle indicator in South Africa slipped by 1% month-over-month in July as load shedding intensified during the month, subduing employment creation as job advertisements fell. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) said yesterday that this was the biggest decline in 10 months, which bodes poorly for the outlook as power outages reduced average hours worked per factory worker in manufacturing. It also affected other activities such as the number of building plans approved. The composite leading business cycle indicator…

THUNGELA Resources yesterday signed a three-year wage agreement with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), a move that provides labour stability for the thermal coal exporter amid record high coal prices. NUM is the recognised labour union across Thungela’s operations, and which represents 86% of unionised employees. In a statement, Thungela said the agreement enabled the implementation of a new wage agreement across Thungela’s operations, other than Mafube, which runs an independent wage negotiation process. “The agreement is effective from June 1, 2022, and covers a period of three-years through to the end of May 2025. The wage agreement increases salaries and salary-related allowances and is expected to increase the total labour cost-to-company, on average by approximately 6% per annum over the three-year period," it said. The agreement entails that…

THE NUMBER of commercial property owners and occupiers selling or relocating premises in the third quarter due to financial constraints has picked up slightly, an indication of the end of the post covid-19 economic recovery, a survey of property brokers views in the six major metros showed. FNB Commercial Property Finance property strategist John Loos said in a statement yesterday that this driver of the commercial property market, financial pressure, had previously been diminishing in significance, but in the third quarter survey, a “stalling” in that declining trend had been detected when it reached a level of 32.45%, which could point to an approaching increase in financial pressure in the market. Respondents were polled on their perception of the major drivers of ‘movement and sales activity’ in the owner-serviced property…

Ever heard of the saying “trust energies, it never lies”? Well, it kind of makes sense – that feeling you have when something is off is usually true. There are many beliefs in thes world, and to each their own. TikTok video creator Robyn Moreno shares a process she calls “moving the winds”, which is a way of ridding your body of negative energy. Curanderismo is the art of Hispanic/Latino traditional medicine, using plants. Moreno says her role as a healer is to care for people and guide them. The idea of moving winds stems from moving energies that are bad, and shifting the bad thoughts, no matter how small or big. Four ways in which a curandera practises moving the winds: 1. Smoke medicine I’ve seen many practise this…

The Constitutional Court has confirmed the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, ruling against President Cyril Ramaphosa, that the Executive Ethics Code was unconstitutional. The unanimous Concourt judgment was passed in the court yesterday, following an application by AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism, which challenged the validity of the code. The court application followed the release of Public Protector advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s report on July 19, 2019, titled: “Report on an investigation into a violation of the Executives Ethics Code through an improper relationship between President Ramaphosa and African Global Operation (AGO), formerly known as BOSASA” (the Report). One of the findings of the public protector in the report was that the president had breached his duties under the code, in that, among other things, he had failed to disclose donations that…

MEMBER of the Pan African Bar Association of SA, advocate Vuyani Ngalwana, is considering lodging a misconduct complaint against retired Constitutional Court Justice Johann Kriegler, following the lack of movement on the Western Cape High Court ruling that he retract berating comments against Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe. Ngalwana successfully petitioned the Judicial Conduct Committee (JCC) to find Justice Kriegler guilty of misconduct following remarks the retired justice had made in several articles published by News24, IOL, TimesLive and the Mail & Guardian. The JCC ruled that Justice Kriegler had flouted the Judicial Code of Conduct when he told an online publication that Hlophe was “unfit to be a judge”. In its August ruling, the JCC stated that Ngalwana’s complaint alleged that Justice Kriegler had since 2009 persistently attacked…

WITH less than three weeks to the EFF elective conference in KwaZulu-Natal, current chairperson Vusi Khoza and secretary Sifiso Mthethwa were expected to face a stiff challenge from other senior members of the party who had raised their hands for the influential positions. Khoza, who has confirmed his availability if nominated, would face a challenge from his current deputy Mongezi Thwala, while Mthethwa would be contested by Umhlathuze deputy mayor and current provincial spokesperson Nkululeko Ngubane for the secretary position. On Khoza’s line-up, Vukani Ndlovu, who is currently a councillor in eThekwini, comes up as secretary. Khoza said he would only decline the nomination if there was a female candidate because he felt it was time for a woman to lead the EFF in the province. “If nominated by branches…

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber says he had no qualms about picking Frans Steyn at flyhalf for Saturday’s Rugby Championship finale against the Pumas at Kings Park, because Steyn and Damian Willemse are cut from the same cloth, in the coach’s book. The 35-year-old coolly closed out the Boks’ 36-20 win over the Pumas last week after the in-form Willemse left the field with a concussion, and instead of looking outside the squad for a replacement flyhalf, Nienaber has elected to let Steyn pick up in Durban where he left off in Buenos Aires. “Frans Steyn is Damian Willemse, just with 70 caps more and 10 more years experience,” Nienaber said in Durban yesterday after mostly opting for consistency in selection from last week’s team to this one. There is just…

A temporary ban on using saliva to shine cricket balls was made permanent by the International Cricket Council yesterday. And the running out of the non-striker will no longer be classed under “unfair play” after a raft of rule changes from October 1 were endorsed by a meeting of the ICC chief executives’ committee, which ratified recommendations from the Sourav Ganguly-led men’s cricket committee. Next month’s T20 World Cup in Australia will be the first major tournament to be played under the new playing conditions. The ICC said the ban on saliva to shine one side of the ball to help it swing through the air, brought in May 2020 as a temporary measure to prevent coronavirus transmission, would stay. “The ban on saliva use has been in place for…

Luke le Roux wore a bright smile that could have lit up Dobsonville Stadium amid a blackout when he reflected on his first Bafana Bafana call-up. “It’s the biggest achievement of my life so far, getting a Bafana call-up. We are going to work hard to prepare for the two games,” Le Roux said. “The past is behind us now. We are looking into the future. It’s the proudest moment of my life, and an unbelievable and best feeling that I can’t explain.” Bafana are currently in camp as they are prepare for two friendlies, against Sierra Leone and Botswana, at FNB Stadium on Saturday and Tuesday. And coach Hugo Broos has kept to his belief, calling more youngsters and fresh faces into his squad, even though Themba Zwane, who…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has lamented the impact of intensified power cuts on business confidence in South Africa, saying that solving the electricity crisis was necessary to realise the potential of the economy. Eskom yesterday reduced the intensity of load shedding to Stage 5 as several units were returned to service even though a generating unit at Duvha was taken down due to a boiler tube leak. This followed a heightened level of loadshedding to Stage 6 on Sunday as Eskom had to shed 6 000MW from the grid following the collapse of a number of generation units. The situation was made worse by the depletion of emergency generation reserves such as pumped storage and diesel turbines and the need for these to be replenished. Ramaphosa yesterday said…

THE WORLD is heading for Net Zero Emission Day, which is becoming more evident as each day passes. Those arguing that it is a fallacy have lost the debate. Newton’s Third law states: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Newton published his laws of motion in 1687. Albert Einstein added more wisdom: “With every action, there is an equal opposite reaction. With every problem, there is a solution: just a matter of taking action.” The CO2 emission action is worldwide enormous and so is the reaction thereto. South Africa needs close to 60 000MW of electricity to function. Coal production is responsible for just more than 48 000MW. South Africa is the 12th largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world and the worst sulphur…

WHEN it comes to spring, there are many advantages. We can highlight delicious seasonal products like strawberries, asparagus, cherries, peas, squash, leeks, carrots, and other fresh, natural produce. This season is also associated with joy, an abundance of colours, as well as rebirth and renewal, as nature blooms once more. Spring is also a time to bring some colour to our meals. Eating a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables has many proven health benefits. This is because the different plant colours contain different vitamins and minerals. Adding colour and variety to your meals can also make them more exciting and can encourage you to try different foods while benefiting your health. But how can you add colour to your meals? The team at Herbalife suggests you start by following…

The ANC in the Western Cape has yet to decide on its preferred possible leadership line-up ahead of the party’s national elective conference in December. This takes place at a time when the top five officials from each of the three Cape provinces are scheduled to hold bilateral meetings this week. Northern Cape officials were expected to meet their counterparts in East London yesterday and Western Cape officials in Cape Town tomorrow. “Consolidating the Cape vote for the renewal project,” said Northern Cape provincial secretary Deshi Ngxanga in a tweet. On Monday, Western Cape Interim Provincial Committee convenor Lerumo Kalako confirmed the meeting. “The engagement is around the national conference. Other provinces have been holding meetings,” he said, referring to a meeting convened between Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal last week. KZN…

PARLIAMENT is closer to finalising the repeal of the apartheid-era Expropriation Act after the public works and infrastructure portfolio committee yesterday adopted the bill and its report for tabling in the National Assembly. But, one of the opposition parties has threatened to take the Expropriation Bill to the Constitutional Court to determine its constitutionality before it is signed by the president. The bill, which was introduced in Parliament in October 2020, seeks to provide a framework to guide the processes and procedures for expropriation of property by organs of state for a public purpose or in the public interest. It also provides for instances where expropriation with nil compensation may be just and equitable. The summary of the bill says an organ of state is obliged to enter into negotiations…

THE international airshow Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition was launched yesterday by Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise at Waterkloof Air Force Base, after being cancelled two years ago because of Covid-19. Aviation, aero-defence and aircraft enthusiasts and business people from across the country – and beyond, have been invited to the six-day extravaganza, which brings together air, sea and land craft from across the world, to a exhibition at the Pretoria air base. Yesterday Modise, announcing the commencement of the event under the theme, “Exploring New Paths, Sharing Solutions, Showcasing Innovation and Capabilities,” to local and international media, said this year’s event was hosted by the lead partner the SA Aerospace, Maritime, and Defence Industry Association (AMD). Traditionally, the administration of the show is rotated among partners…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says he won’t replace his first assistant Cedo Janevski, given that he has complete confidence in Helman Mkhalele. On Saturday, Safa held their first National Executive Committee meeting post the National Elective Congress. And that’s where chief executive Tebogo Motlanthe broke the news that the Macedonian has since resigned, taking up a coaching post in Cyprus. Janevski joined Bafana alongside Broos last year, with the pair having formed a bond, including off the field, in Belgium during their respective careers. During his Bafana stint, Janevski helped the team to four wins, three draws and three losses in all competitions, including World Cup qualifiers. However, he got offers in the last few months, such that Broos didn’t have an option but to give him his blessings…

JP Duminy may be taking his first tentative steps into the realms of professional coaching, but the former Proteas batter is already showing signs of developing into a formidable leader. And part of that process is surrounding himself with experience, and South Africa’s highest run-scorer in T20 international cricket has certainly done that in terms of the Paarl Royals playing personnel for the inaugural SA20 to be held in January. Duminy and the rest of the Royals brains-trust went out hard in the first couple of picks at the auction in securing Proteas duo Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi, before cooling down in a bid to land strategic choices later on. This reaped dividends, with the Royals securing England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan almost at the death. Morgan, who…

FITCH Ratings announced yesterday that it revised its metals and mining price assumptions lower, reflecting evolving economic growth expectations and demand and supply dynamics. Data from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) yesterday showed that mining output plunged by 8.4% in July year-on-year following a downwardly revised 7.1% decline in June. This is bad news for South Africa’s domestic mining industry, with its hefty contribution to the country’s gross domestic product and which is now facing the added Eskom load shedding challenge. Data from StatsSA earlier this month showed that mining output plunged by 8.4% in July year-on-year following a downwardly revised 7.1% decline in June as analysts said at the time mining activity would probably be depressed for the remainder of the year, and drag economic growth even lower. Fitch said…

LOCAL is not lekker for businesses operating in some municipalities in terms of service delivery. North West’s Ditsobotla muni- cipality whose poor service delivery prompted the uprooting of Africa’s biggest cheese making factory by dairy group Clover last year, came up as a class act in the roll call of governance failures in the province yesterday. An update to Parliament’s portfolio committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs was presented on an exercise started in 2019 to clean-up rampant corruption, poor governance, unqualified personnel, cronyism, violence, poor service delivery and political instability. The provincial Treasury Department and the South African Local Government Association (Salga) briefed an incredulous committee about the interventions which seemed to have borne minimal fruit. The parliamentary committee heard that of the 43 municipalities dissolved and…

Ditch Crisis Committee and bring in outside industry expert to stabilise power supply and boost generation free from red tape – Steenhuisen AS THE energy crisis surges in the country, DA leader John Steenhuisen has singled out President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan as the biggest obstacles to finding a solution to the crisis. Steenhuisen made these claims during a public address yesterday after the country was, for a short period, placed under stage 6 load shedding in which people experienced at least 10 hours without power in a day. He said Ramaphosa and his Cabinet ministers were directly tasked with fixing this crisis, but there was no sign of real urgency from them. In fact, Steenhuisen added, they were proving…

FORMER acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane is in hot water yet again, after the police yesterday swooped on his Kameeldrift home and arrested him over allegations related to a tender estimated at R54 million while he was still in office. It is alleged that Phahlane was instrumental in the payment of millions of rand, which benefited a Durban-based company Brainwave Projects 1323 CC, trading as I-View Integrated Systems, contracted for social media monitoring of #FeesMustFall protests. The Pretoria News was reliably told that Phahlane was nabbed yesterday at his home. One of those arrested for the alleged crime was businessman Inbanathan Kistiah, who is in charge of the implicated company. Kistiah was arrested on Monday. The pair are due to appear at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court today…

As ANC branches in KwaZulu-Natal were wrapping up their top six nominations for the party’s 55th national elective conference, former provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli has emerged as one of the leading candidates for the secretary-general position. Ntuli also got the nod from some branches in the Free State, which are said to be pairing him with President Cyril Ramaphosa – to retain his second term. Ntuli’s lobbyist, who refused to be named before regions formally pronounced their preferred candidates, told the Daily News, the Pretoria News’ sister newspaper yesterday that Ntuli’s name was among many branches in the eThekwini region, the Mooi River sub-region, which is part of Moses Mabhida (Pietermaritzburg) as well as branches outside the province. Ntuli’s nomination in Mooi River was confirmed by former KZN Education MEC…

HUNDREDS of commuters in Tshwane were yesterday left stranded, after the City of Tshwane on Monday announced the temporary suspension of Tshwane Bus Services operation owing to fuel shortages. In a media statement, the metro informed commuters about the temporary suspension of bus operations with effect from September 19 in the afternoon after at least 50% of the buses ran out of fuel. “The metropolitan municipality has engaged the fuel service provider, who has since promised to strive to deliver fuel tonight (Monday night). It is hoped that if the service provider delivers as promised, operations will resume tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, September 20, 2022,” it said. However, yesterday the situation had not changed as the City’s delivery of diesel was not received as anticipated. Municipal spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the…

FIVE men accused of killing Collins Chabane Municipality mayor Moses Maluleke have been remanded in custody after appearing in the Malamulele Magistrate’s Court this week. Avhatakali Mulaudzi, Shumani Nemadodzi, Avhatakali Isaac Mudau, Wisani Baloyi and Tshianeyo Munyai are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The case was postponed to September 29 for a bail application. While four of the suspects have abandoned their bail bids, Baloyi will apply for bail at their next court appearance. Maluleke, 56, was shot and killed at his home in Xikundu village in July during an alleged botched robbery. His 18-year old son was also shot but recovered in hospital. Police spokesperson Motlafela Mojapelo said at the time: “Three…

At the age of 34, Cornal Hendricks has almost seen and done it all on a rugby field. But despite the Bulls going all the way to the United Rugby Championship (URC) final last season, a loss to Edinburgh in Scotland is still being felt by the utility back. “Looking forward to Edinburgh, because the last time we played them, it wasn’t a good outing for us as we lost that game. But looking forward to that, playing them at two ’o clock, so it’s going to be lekker hot … I think we owe them one!” the veteran wing said after practice at Loftus Versfeld yesterday ahead of Saturday’s rematch with the Scottish outfit (2.30pm kick-off). “It’s a different game in Europe to South Africa. We’ve got physical and…

Merry-go-round football coach Dan ‘Dance’ Malesela has struck once again after he sensationally returned to Marumo Gallants yesterday. Malesela left Gallants late in June after his contract was not renewed, even after guiding the side to the Nedbank Cup final, where they lost to Mamelodi Sundowns. Malesela was replaced by Romain Folz (32), who came with a lofty billing after a stint at Township Rollers, while he was appointed as Royal AM’s co-coach. Life didn’t get off to a go start for Folz and Gallants as the French-born coach failed to inspire his side to a victory in their first five league matches. It then later emerged that Folz has resigned following the interference of the club’s management ahead of their league game against Swallows FC. In a twist of…