Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022-12-08 i Pretoria News

SUNRISE Energy, struggling operator of an LPG (liquid petroleum gas) import terminal in Saldanha Bay that supplies the Western Cape, said the takeover by the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) of gas importer and distributor in business rescue Avedia would result in Sunrise having to close its doors. This was according to RBB Consulting economist Jacob Muller, who yesterday presented the economic case to the Competition Tribunal that the proposed merger of Avedia’s operations with those of the state-owned SFF should be prohibited. He said the likelihood of Sunrise having to shut its 5 500 metric ton capacity LPG storage and terminal facilities in Saldanha Bay if the Avedia deal went ahead would result in less competition, in an unnecessary duplication of facilities and less gas import capacity being available to…

CONFIDENCE levels among South African manufacturers have remained muted amid a challenging outlook for the sector, due to the country’s ongoing intensifying energy crisis. The Absa Manufacturing Survey for the fourth quarter showed that overall business confidence during the quarter remained unchanged at 26 points, after two consecutive quarterly declines. Justin Schmidt, the head of the manufacturing sector at Absa Relationship Banking, said this was in part due to pressure from load shedding, water restrictions and transport constraints, which continue to weigh on local manufacturers. “Despite the fourth quarter being a peak sales period for manufacturers, increased production costs and insufficient demand as consumers struggle with the rising cost of living hampered potential improvements in confidence this quarter,” said Schmidt. “Additionally, insufficient demand will remain a concern as many manufacturers…

For many of us, the holidays have always been a time of indulgence. We eat all the cheesy, salty, sugary foods our heart’s desire and have that extra glass of wine (or two!). The good news? With a little smart planning, you can avoid the speed bumps that may throw you off course so that you can enter the new year feeling confident and in control of your health and well-being. Below is what you should avoid doing: Eating too many sweets No holiday season is complete without sweets. But eating too many sweets can be dangerous for you and it can spike your blood sugar levels. Therefore, be careful that you don’t eat too many sweets and you should be fine. Not snacking before attending a holiday party If…

Sub-Saharan Africa is poised to suffer a tobacco pandemic given the overall prevalence of cigarette consumption. This is a result of the tobacco industry’s aggressive marketing campaigns, rapid economic and population expansion, or both. The demand for tobacco goods can be decreased by raising the excise duty on these items since higher taxes make tobacco products more expensive and hence less accessible. Because fewer individuals start smoking and more people already smoke less, higher tobacco product prices lead to decreased smoking prevalence. They also lessen the intensity of tobacco use by restricting the number of cigarettes that current smokers can afford to consume. Although the link between price and demand for tobacco products is unfavourably correlated at worldwide level, authorities frequently require local data before adopting changes to their…

THE ATM is taking the fight over the Phala Phala saga to the Constitutional Court, where it will oppose the bid by President Cyril Ramaphosa to review and set aside the report of the Section 89 panel. This takes place as the UDM has said it wants Ramaphosa to cite it as a respondent as it was among the parties that made submissions to the panel or else it would file papers to become an interested party. Yesterday, ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona said they had instructed their legal team to file an opposing affidavit to Ramaphosa’s bid to have the Concourt declare the Section 89 panel report invalid. “The ATM will oppose this dishonest self-serving attempt to hide the truth and ask the Constitutional Court not to be part…

POLICE in Mpumalanga have welcomed the sentencing of two field rangers, who were caught with an unlicensed and prohibited firearm with ammunition as well as “a dangerous weapon” at a campsite inside the Kruger National Park. Hendric Eccelence Silinda, 31, and Achieve Musa Mlambo, 38, were sentenced on Tuesday by the Skukuza Regional Court after being arrested in February 2019, said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala. The court heard how Silinda and Mlambo, who were employed as rangers at the Kruger National Park, became involved in some “dodgy dealing”. “Information surfaced that there were certain field rangers at Skukuza section who were in possession of an unlicensed firearm. “Further details indicated that the firearm was hidden somewhere at their camping site. “SANParks then organised a sting operation, which was…

The highly-anticipated new-generation Ford Ranger is launching in South Africa this week, featuring a muscular new look and advanced technologies that aim to make it the benchmark in its class. And, roll the drums, Ford has finally revealed pricing for the Double Cab models, which now form part of a simplified range of 13 derivatives, down from the previous generation’s 24 models. The Single Cab and Super Cab variants will follow in early 2023, Ford says. Pricing starts at R486 000 for the Base Double Cab, while the XL kicks off at R529 900 and the XLT is priced from R592 700. But if you want the range-topping Wildtrak V6, be prepared to fork out R953 500. The redesigned Ford Ranger boasts an upgraded chassis and a somewhat modernised cabin,…

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic described their World Cup quarter-final opponents Brazil as "terrifying" after the five-time champions thrashed South Korea 4-1 to send a clear message to their rivals. Brazil, however, could be even stronger in tomorrow's last-eight clash with the 2018 runners-up as leftback Alex Sandro should be available and they will be close to full-strength after a number of injury problems. With talisman Neymar and key defender Danilo returning against South Korea after missing two games due to ankle problems, coach Tite had to improvise and started right-back Danilo on the left of the defence. Tite is hoping to field his first-choice team against Croatia with full-backs Danilo and Sandro in their natural positions, sending versatile centre-back Eder Militao back to the substitutes' bench after impressive performances. Neymar…

Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) on Wednesday said it had issued a much reduced revised penalty of R20 million to disgraced former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste for insider trading. On October 29, 2020, the FSCA imposed an administrative penalty of R161.6 million on Jooste for breaches of the Financial Markets Act. But it said the revised penalty was in line with the Financial Sector Tribunal’s decision on insider trading regarding Steinhoff International Holdings. The FSCA said R1m of this penalty had been levied for encouraging Jaap du Toit to sell his Steinhoff shares. “Mr du Toit never acted on the contents of the warning SMS. The provision prohibits an insider from encouraging or discouraging another person to deal in securities which the inside information relates to,” it said. The…

ABSA Group, a South African lender, said yesterday due to the uncertain economic outlook for next year, it expects its credit impairments to increase due to higher interest rates negatively affecting consumer finances. In its trading update for the 10 months ended October 31, 2022, the group said credit impairments increased, with its credit loss ratio in the upper half of its through-the-cycle target range of 75 to 100 basis points. Personal loan credit impairments were also expected to increase materially, in part due to new business strain. “Within our South African retail portfolio, higher inflation and the 325 basis points rise in policy rates are expected to increase credit impairments. “Vehicle finance credit impairments are expected to grow materially, despite improving noticeably in the second half, while home loans…

We continue to spend money on products, foods and diets that claim to enhance our well-being, physical state, overall appearance and promote sleep. To better understand if bone broth, which is punted by some as a super food, is really a magical elixir or simply another health fad IOL Lifestyle chatted with Kelly Scholtz, a registered dietitian, and spokesperson for the Association for Dietetics in South Africa. Bone broth is a liquid created by simmering bones in water for a long period. Other vegetables and protein sources may also be added to the broth at times, along with an acid (such as vinegar or lemon juice). It can be used as the foundation for sauces and soups or consumed on its own. You can buy powdered bone broths that are…

After spending nearly three decades behind bars, Chris Hani’s killer, Janusz Walus, yesterday for the first time got a glimpse of the world outside the walls of the Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria, when he was released on parole. Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola, in a statement issued yesterday afternoon, confirmed that Walus was placed on parole earlier in the day. He said it was under strict conditions and his parole will remain in place for the next two years. It has not been made known where Walus will serve his parole, but it will be in South Africa and not in Poland. Home Affairs earlier said he should serve his parole to the “fullest” in South Africa and granted him an exemption in terms of the…

The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Pretoria Hotel rapist Amos Khumalo to life plus eight years’ imprisonment for violating two minor girls. The family of the victims, aged 13 and 11, who Khumalo was found guilty of rape and attempted rape, said they were relieved that their two-year wait for justice had finally materialised. A family representative said they were happy with the sentence and had been hoping that Khumalo received life for what he had put the children through, especially for taking away their innocence. Handing down judgment, the presiding magistrate said he had taken into consideration all the merits of the case as well as the arguments by the State and the defence counsel. He said in coming to an appropriate sentence, he was convinced that there were…

THE stage is set for the ANC’s 55th national conference, where embattled President Cyril Ramaphosa goes head-to-head with his former health minister, Zweli Mkhize, for the party’s leadership. The conference is to take place at Nasrec, south of Johannesburg, next week. Yesterday, the party hosted a media tour of Nasrec to exhibit the arena where the pair is to battle it out. ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe said it was all systems go and all disputes had been resolved. Mabe clarified reports suggesting that media should pay to cover the conference. “The ANC never said the media should pay to cover the conference,” he said, urging journalists to bring their own furniture and other branding, and not to expect the party to provide for them. The media has been told…

UNISA graduate Mbali Zitha has a bachelor and Honours degree, but is yet to find a job. Zitha was one of the unemployed educators who this week marched to the Department of Basic Education in Pretoria demanding jobs. It is believed the sector has 24 000 vacancies. “It has been a painful experience since I graduated in 2018.” Zitha said. “I left people in tertiary when I graduated, but today they are working and I am still waiting on the database. My grandmother who raised me died without seeing me go to work as an educator. I could not even buy her a bed.“ She is qualified to teach English, life orientation, and economics and management sciences. Another Unisa graduate, Asnath Matso, said she had not worked since graduating in…

Thanks to Walid Regragui, the coach who has made Morocco the first Arab nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, avocados may just be the nation’s favourite fruit. When the appointment of Regragui following the departure of Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic was announced in August, underwhelmed pundits branded him “avocado head” as a belittling term of derision. But the shaved-headed coach, who teased those critics at the tournament in Qatar by holding an avocado with a soccer ball inside it and pointing his finger at his head, has more than proved his credentials. The previously unheralded Regragui, who led Wydad to the Moroccan league and CAF Champions League double last season, masterminded a win for the ages against mighty Spain in the last 16 on Tuesday. The Atlas Lions produced an…

Kevin Lerena says it would be “definitely fitting” to have a rematch with Daniel Dubois, and feels that if he had been given time to recover from a knockdown, it could have been a different outcome in their WBA (regular) heavyweight title bout in London at the weekend. The 30-year-old southpaw stunned fans at ringside at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night when he dropped champion Dubois to the canvas in the first round. But the tall British boxer found his feet in the second round, and then knocked out Lerena with a big right uppercut in the third. Dubois went down three times in the first round, but was controversially allowed to recover in his corner after English referee Howard Foster called time at two minutes and 49…

South Africans should brace for candle-lit Christmas dinners as utility implements Stage 6 SOUTH Africans should brace for candle-lit Christmas dinners this year, as Eskom has not ruled out higher stages of power cuts – up to Stage 8 – after implementing Stage 6 load shedding for the first time since September 18. The struggling power utility yesterday increased load shedding from Stage 3 to Stage 4 in the morning, then ramped it up to Stage 6 indefinitely, at noon. Eskom said this was due to a high number of breakdowns since midnight on Tuesday, as well as the requirement to strictly preserve the remaining emergency generation reserves. The utility currently has breakdowns totalling 17 800MW of capacity, in addition to planned maintenance of 5 400MW, together taking 23 200MW…

SOUTH Africa keeps on getting distracted in its policies and approaches geared towards raising the long-term growth of its economy, said economist Keith Lockwood. He spoke with Business Report following Altron FinTech’s release of its latest Short-term Credit Impact Index, known as the AFSCI Index, which tracks the impact of short-term credit extension on the South African economy on a quarterly basis. The index for the third quarter of 2022, showed a 0.9% quarter-on-quarter increase in net short-term credit extension. Explaining why the index remains pertinent, Lockwood said while short-term credit represented a very small share of total consumer credit, it was important because it provided a barometer of the financial health of a vulnerable, and often neglected portion of South Africa’s population. He asked whether the country wanted to…

Justin Bieber has launched a water brand at the Qatar World Cup. The 28-year-old pop star has teamed up with premium alkaline water company Generosity to provide refreshments to those attending football games in the Middle Eastern country via refillable fountains in an effort to “protect the people”. He said: “I want the world to have access to the best water. I also want countries to know how to best protect their people. The overuse of plastic is hurting us, we need to be more sustainable.” Generosity’s goal “is to not only provide consumers with the best water for their body, but also to reduce the use of single-serve plastics with their refillable water fountains. By simply connecting to any local water source, Generosity can process and dispense its premium…

MAMELODI businessman Vusi “Khe- khe” Mathibela, who is facing sentencing, with his three co-accused, for the 2015 murder of billionaire businessman Wandile Bozwana, is struggling mentally and physically behind bars. He is also “begging the court for mercy, as his family need him home”. This is according to a clinical psychologist, who did an assessment of Mathibela and his co-accused, Sipho Hudla, Matamela Robert Mutapa and Bonginkosi Paul Khumalo, prior to them being sentenced in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria. The four were convicted in June this year of Bozwana’s murder and the attempted murder of his business partner, Mpho Baloyi. While no motive for the killing was presented to the court, the four vehemently denied any knowledge of the murder. Bozwana died in a hail of…

Former finance minister and ANC member Malusi Gigaba has called for someone else to lead the ANC, after the dismal performance of current ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa. Gigaba said things have become worse in the past five years or so, adding that the country’s electricity crisis, placed at stage six today, and the fragmented ANC were reason enough for a new leader to take the party forward. Gigaba’s comments come after EFF leader Julius Malema called on the ANC to give ANC Deputy President David Mabuza a chance to lead the ANC and the country. On Wednesday, Gigaba,speaking during interview on Newzroom Afrika said he believes Ramaphosa must step aside and let someone else lead the governing party.…

CABINET ministers and other politicians have toured Chinese diplomatic missions in South Africa, to express condolences and words of solidarity following the death of former president Jiang Zemin. Jiang, who became China’s leader in 1989, died last week at the age of 96. Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Dr Naledi Pandor has visited the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria. She signed the book of condolences and interacted with Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Chen Xiaodong. “On behalf of the government and people of South Africa I express the deepest condolences to the government and people of the People’s Republic of China, on the passing of the former Chinese president Jiang Zemin,” said Pandor. “This was an iconic leader, a role model who spearheaded your great country on a positive growth…

US South Africans enjoy our lifestyle vehicles. Whether it’s an SUV double cab or MPV the great outdoors calls whenever we get the opportunity. Some take it more seriously than others and enjoy getting really far away from the madding crowd that requires some serious off-road skills and others prefer a more gentle approach but still don’t want to be overrun by the throngs. To get there ordinary road tyres won’t do so most people fit a decent all-terrain tyre or for when the going gets really tough tyres with a more aggressive tread pattern and more often than not, mud tyres. And then there are those who spend almost all their life on tar but want to create an image of being the toughest around. Most of these vehicles…

Kurt-Lee Arendse has shown the world what he is capable of with several thrilling performances for the Springboks, but now he is about to enter a new stage: the Champions Cup in Europe. The speedster is sure to line up at fullback for the Bulls in Saturday’s tournament opener against Lyon at Loftus Versfeld (7.30pm kick-off), having come off yet another scintillating display in last week’s 45-9 thrashing of Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship. The 26-year-old from Paarl is in the form of his life, having starred for the Boks during their November tour. He formed a deadly combination with fellow Paarl product Canan Moodie last Saturday, setting up a try for the Bulls No 14 with a chip over the top of the Cardiff defence, and will look…