Innholdsfortegnelse for Sunday, July 5, 2020 i Sunday Independent

POLITICS Cabinet reshuffle could backfire ANC insiders claim the aim is to break up KZN ‘cabal’ of Cele, Mkhize and NDZ PIET RAMPEDI A POSSIBLE Cabinet reshuffle motivated more by ANC politics than governance issues could backfire on President Cyril Ramaphosa, warned political experts. That would be the case especially if he “overplays his hand” and removes heavyweights like Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Police Minister Bheki Cele without justification and support from Luthuli House. This is according to Professor Tinyiko Maluleke and Dr Metji Makgoba who spoke to the Sunday Independent yesterday after several ANC and government sources claimed a cabinet reshuffle was on the cards. Several ANC insiders this week said a looming reshuffle of the national executive was targeting Ramaphosa’s critics and party national executive committee…

The Brief MALAWI’S ELECTION CHEER DAMPENED BY CORONAVIRUS SURGE LILONGWE: Malawi’s new President Lazarus Chakwera on Saturday ordered his inauguration ceremony be scaled down amid a surge of coronavirus cases, dampening excitement around his election win. Chakwera was sworn in last Sunday for a five-year term, hours after unseating Peter Mutharika in a re-run election, and this Monday the country is holding a formal celebration. Chakwera said capacity at the national stadium would be halved to 20,000 and at least 100,000 face masks would be distributed in the capital Lilongwe. “We’re in a worse situation today than we were three months ago. Coronavirus is spreading everywhere in Malawi and it’s spreading to kill,” he said in a televised address. COVID-19 cases have more than doubled in the past two weeks…

VETERAN Mary Twala dies aged 80 AMANDA MALIBA MESSAGES of condolence have come pouring in after the passing of veteran actress Mary Twala. Twala, who died yesterday morning at the age of 80, played leading roles in many shows produced and directed by the late Gibson Kente. She starred alongside her late husband, Ndaba Mhlongo, in many theatres in South Africa and abroad. Twala’s passing was confirmed by her son, entertainer and TV personality Somizi “Somgaga” Mhlongo, in a moving social media tribute, saying: “My tree has fallen… lala Ma.” Somizi also revealed that his mother’s death falls on the same day as his late father’s birth date. Twala was mostly celebrated for her extensive work in the acting industry, recently playing the lead character in a Sotho film, This…

GOSPEL Have ‘heart to heart’ with Dr Tumi on his TV show AMANDA MALIBA amanda.maliba@inl.co.za GOSPEL star Dr Tumi has ventured into the TV business with his own show, dubbed Heart to Heart With Dr Tumi, launching this afternoon at 2pm. The gospel show aims to engender a sense of healing and hope through scripture and worship at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has forced people to adhere to social distancing practices. “This is a new chapter in my life and I embrace it humbly,” says Dr Tumi. “I’ve always been about hope and my music has always spoken to the heart with simple melodies and lyrics. With the power of TV I can reach bigger audiences that need to hear about the good news of healing and hope.…

CORRUPTION Senior City Power official suspended for ‘kickbacks’ KENNETH MOKGATHLE A CITY Power senior official has been suspended for allegedly accepting kickbacks worth more than R5 million from companies which benefited from contracts awarded by the power utility. Percy Mphahlele, was on Thursday suspended as the City Power’s general manager for capital execution. Mphahlele’s duties included awarding contracts for capital projects such as the construction of substations, service connections, bulk supply, electrification of informal settlements, street lights, cabling and metering connections, amongst others. This comes a month after Sunday Independent reported that Mphahlele was colluding with service providers and used front companies owned by friends and relatives to benefit from multimillion-rand contracts awarded by his division. City Power’s Spokesperson Isaac Mangena confirmed Mphahlele’s suspension. “I can confirm that Mr Mphahlele…

GAUTENG ‘Brace for mass burials’ ROLAND MPOFU DA Gauteng spokesperson on health Jack Bloom has warned that the province should brace itself for “mass burials” in the coming months as the province begins to experience a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases. Bloom was reacting to the latest figures of the pandemic in the province with more than 3000 confirmed cases per day in the past week. “Preparations need to be made for possible mass burials with safety precautions against infection from those who have died from Covid-19,” said Bloom. Bloom said all hospitals are under huge strain and strenuous efforts need to be made to prevent cross-infection. “Many wards are full with patients under investigation (PUIs) as they wait for test results. I am worried that we may…

APPOINTMENT Wits leader – a choice welcomed Attracting tech-savvy innovators and educating job creators is Vilakazi’s vision EDWIN NAIDU THE appointment of nuclear physicist Professor Zeblon Vilakazi as the new vice-chancellor of one of South Africa’s premier institutions, Wits University, has received widespread support from stakeholders and industry representatives. The current vice-principal and deputy vice-chancellor for research and postgraduate studies at Wits, Vilakazi was named as successor to incumbent, Professor Adam Habib, on June 25. Vilakazi chairs the Department of Science and Innovation’s National Working Committee to develop a framework for quantum computing and quantum technology-driven research and innovation in South Africa. According to a Wits statement last year, Vilakazi was instrumental in the university becoming the first African partner on the IBM Q Network, an international group of start-ups,…

URVEY Collective efforts to weather virus storm TERRI-LIZA FORTEIN THE COVID-19 pandemic now has a firm grip in Africa. There are more than 415 000 cases and 10 000 deaths on the continent. And Africa’s worst affected country – South Africa – is reeling with close to half of those infections and nearly 3 000 deaths. As of May 13, Sahara is the only African country that has not reported cases of the unrelenting virus. There is still no vaccine available and the only tool at the disposal of countries remains public health and social measures such as lockdowns as well as hand washing, physical distancing and wearing of masks. Most countries have used these optimally and swiftly. South Africa, where the most stringent lockdown regulations have included restrictions on…

IBUTE June 16, MK heroes will never be forgotten The murder of students could not halt the determination to fight the racial system JOHNNY SEXWALE Bhekikhaya Mabaso Reading the Sunday Independent electronic newspaper of June 14, 2020, my eye was caught by an article titled; Soweto’s Forgotten Heroes, by journalists Zingisa Mkhuma and Sipho Mabaso. The article was about two gallant warriors of our liberation struggle, Barney Molokoane and Sibusiso Mashinini (Minus) who died fearlessly fighting the enemy, during the liberation struggle of South Africa. Barney and Minus fled into exile in 1976. During that period, I was working in the underground unit of the African National Congress (ANC), which smuggled Barney, Minus and hundreds of Soweto students out of South Africa into Swaziland. What came to mind while reading…

EDITORIAL Officers running amok must be reined in THE images of naked Bulelani Qolani, a 28-year-old father of four, who was manhandled by law enforcement officers from the City of Cape Town have been compared with the police brutality in the murder of George Floyd in the US which led to worldwide protests. Qolani, an unemployed taxi driver, claimed he was taking a bath in his shack in Empolweni informal settlement in Khayelitsha when officers dragged him out and threw him onto the ground in full view of his daughters, neighbours and cameras. One of the officers is seen using his knee to pin him on the ground. His plea to be allowed to put his clothes on fell on deaf ears. Dan Plato, the Mayor of Cape Town, has…

UNITED STATES Trump ‘goes big’ Health officials sound alarm over large crowd celebrations AS CORONAVIRUS cases spike, public health officials are pleading with Americans to avoid large crowds and hold more muted Independence Day celebrations this weekend, but subdued is not President Donald Trump’s style, and he aimed to go big, promising a “special evening” in Washington that could bring tens of thousands to the National Mall. Trump’s “Salute for America” celebration yesterday evening was to include a speech from the White House South Lawn that he said would celebrate American heritage, as well as a military flyover over the city and an enormous fireworks display that could pack people downtown. Trump kicked off the holiday weekend by travelling to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota for a fireworks display on…

KENYA Change of mind over sports betting tax AFTER originally choosing to scrap a 20% tax on betting stakes and winnings, Kenya will now reintroduce it in the next six months citing the health consequences it has on the youth. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta removed the tax on sports betting stakes and winning last week when he signed the Finance Bill, the Daily Nation reported. The BBC said the controversial tax was likely why SportPesa and other gambling companies had to close their doors, as the tax authorities in Kenya said more than $500 000 (R8.5 million) was owed to the state in tax arrears. The removal of the tax, which the tribunal ruled to be charged to winnings and not stakes, was set to boost the sports betting industry,…

Morocco rejects allegations of spying CAPE TOWN: Morocco is calling on human rights organisation Amnesty International to provide evidence to support its allegations that the government conducted cyber-spying attacks against Moroccan activists and journalists, said Morocco World News. Amnesty revealed that NSO Group, the Israeli company marketing its Pegasus spyware technology in the fight against Covid-19, contributed to a campaign by the government to spy on Moroccan journalist Omar Radi. According to Morocco World News, the National Brigade of Judicial Police summoned Radi on June 24 as part of an official investigation to determine his alleged involvement in a case of obtaining foreign financing related to “intelligence services”. In a statement issued by the government, Morocco said it would defend its national security and to enlighten public opinion against the…

Activists in France demand justice PARIS: While the French capital’s official Pride event, organised by the Inter-LGBT group, was delayed until November to prevent the spread of Covid-19, grassroots groups marched through Paris yesterday – led by people of colour. The activists marched to “re-politicise” the movement, and joined with groups campaigning for the rights of migrants, sex workers and minority or marginalised communities in France’s impoverished suburbs. The first Pride march took place June 28, 1970, a year after the 1969 uprisings at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York, which were led by transwomen of colour. That helped propel what’s become a global LGBTQ movement. AP…

ARTS Mokgadi is new Market Theatre chief STAFF REPORTER TSHIAMO Mokgadi has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Market Theatre Foundation (MTF), and will take up the reins from August 1. In announcing the appointment, the Council of the Market Theatre Foundation said Mokgadi was no newcomer to the corridors of the institution. Her in-depth knowledge comes from more than a decade’s experience in cultural and theatre management, at three major cultural institutions – the Market Theatre Foundation in Joburg, the Playhouse Company in Durban and the State Theatre in Pretoria. Her academic background includes a BA degree in Dramatic Arts from Wits University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Henley Business School. Talking about her appointment, Mokgadi said: “It’s a privilege to be handed the…

BOOK EXTRACT Turf wars: lucrative taxi industry dominated by money and fear Veteran journalist Greg Ardé tackles the internal ANC political battlefield in KwaZulu Natal in his book War Party. It sets out to show how cadre deployment has created competing patronage networks that result in comrades killing each other for jobs and tenders. This extract from the book focuses on the role of the taxi industry in the bloodletting that goes on unabated. “I AM not afraid. I only fear God.” The taxi boss uttered these words with the solemnity of Moses himself. He was a silent type, tough with a compact body and an efficient air about him. He was not in the least what I imagined a taxi boss would look like. On the day we met…

FASTJET TURBULENCE LOW-COST carrier Fastjet Plc said it was suspending commercial flights in South Africa and Zimbabwe due to the pandemic, jeopardising negotiations to raise emergency funds through a disposal. The shares skidded after Fastjet said talks to sell a stake in its Zimbabwe operation are on hold until it’s clear how long extended lockdowns will last. An investor group including Solenta Aviation Holdings Ltd and Zimbabwean investors had expressed interest, Fastjet said in a release on Friday. Fastjet, the first discount airline spanning sub-Saharan Africa, is in a precarious situation with just enough funds to survive until the end of August. If flights haven’t reached “sustainable levels” by the start of September, Fastjet said it won’t be able to operate without support from Zimbabwe’s central bank. Cash reserves at…

TV GUIDE TODAY Golf PGA Tour: Rocket Mortgage Classic, Day 4, 7pm, SS5, SS1, CSN Motorsport FIA Formula 2 Championship, Round 1: Race 2, 11am, SS1, SS6; Formula 1: Build-up: Austrian Grand Prix, 1.30pm, SS1, SS6; Austrian Grand Prix, Main Race, 3.05pm, SS1, SS6; NASCAR Cup Series: Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line,.9.30pm, SS6 Rugby Aotearoa: Chiefs v Hurricanes, 5.30am, SS1, CSN Soccer Premier League: Burnley v Sheffield United, 12 noon, SS3, CSN; Newcastle United v West Ham United, 3pm, SS3; Liverpool v Aston Villa, 5.15pm, SS3; Southampton v Manchester City, 7.30pm, SS3; Premier League Wrap, 10pm, SS3; Premier League TV: Matchday Live Extra, 10.30pm, SS3; SkyBet English Football League Championship: Swansea City v Sheffield Wednesday, 12.55pm, SS9; La Liga Santander: Athletic Bilbao v…

RUGBY Canterbury’s crusade too good for Highlanders LOOSE forward Tom Christie scored two second-half tries for the Canterbury Crusaders as they relentlessly ground down the Otago Highlanders to record a 40-20 victory in their Super Rugby Aotearoa clash in Dunedin yesterday. Winger Will Jordan also crossed once in each half as the Crusaders moved to the top of the table with their third victory in the competition, setting up a potential title decider with the unbeaten Auckland Blues next week in Christchurch. It had looked ominous for the Highlanders as the Crusaders jumped out to an 8-0 lead through a Richie Mo’unga penalty and Jordan’s try and were dominating the scrum. Highlanders and All Blacks scrumhalf Aaron Smith, however, began to direct his pack better and they stormed back with…

Wolvaardt, De Kock scoop top honours Lungi Ngidi scores white ball double with T20I and ODI Cricketer of the Year titles STUART HESS LAURA Wolvaardt’s sparkling performances in the Women’s T20 World Cup and Quinton de Kock’s consistency across all formats – in what was a difficult season for South Africa’s men’s team – saw the pair rewarded the highest accolades – Women’s and Men’s Cricketer of the Year respectively at a unique ‘ceremony’ last night. For the first time, Cricket South Africa dished out its annual awards in a ‘virtual’ ceremony as it adhered to the country’s lockdown measures resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. Normally a highlight on the local cricket calendar, with plenty of pomp and ceremony, this year’s awards could only be enjoyed via social…

ECONOMY Doubts over tax on super rich Opposition questions its effectiveness, proposes better governance to save money SIYABONGA MKHWANAZI siyabonga.mkhwanazi@inl.co.za THE government is planning to tax the super rich after the National Treasury confirmed in Parliament that Finance Minister Tito Mboweni will announce new taxes in his February budget and this would include the wealth tax. But political parties are divided over plans by the government to introduce the tax. The new taxes would help to stabilise debt and raise up to R40billion in the next few years. The UDM said the government had no choice but to raise revenue, while Cope said this matter needed to be discussed and the DA said it opposed the wealth tax. Chief director in the National Treasury Edgar Sishi told the joint committees…

ENTERTAINMENT Positive vibes from Kelly Singer debuts new track off much-anticipated new album and announces foray into reality TV AMANDA MALIBA amanda.maliba@inl.co.za SIMPHIWE MBOKAZI African News Agency (ANA) KELLY Khumalo is gearing up to release a number of songs starting with a single titled Empini (at war), that will feature on her much-anticipated studio album, The Voice Of Africa, to be released soon. The soulful ballad, written and produced by the multitalented Mondli Ngcobo, talks to the power of being a conqueror, “and being able to overcome everything that is set to destroy us, not just about me but society at large”, says Khumalo. The song debuted last Friday and is said to be one of Khumalo’s coveted works that carries much meaning during these difficult times, as it reminds…

The Brief MEATPACKING PLANT OPENS AFTER COVID-19 OUTBREAK BRAZILIAN meatpacker JBS SA has been allowed to reopen its chicken plant in Passo Fundo after an outbreak of the novel coronavirus among its employees, the company told Reuters on Friday. “JBS confirms the resumption of activities in Passo Fundo,” JBS SA said. According to court documents seen by Reuters, judge Vania Maria Cunha Mattos understood that halting operations until an appeal is ruled could hurt economic activities. “(It would) disrupt the entire production chain, with unequivocal damage not only to jobs – direct and indirect – but also to tax collection and leave the population in general short of supplies,” the court document said. Her decision comes after an appeals court in Rio Grande do Sul state overturned a lower labour…

ICYMI | IOL.CO.ZA F1 DRIVERS TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR FIGHT AGAINST RACISM Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it todayMALCOLM X Human rights activist Formula One drivers are united in the fight against racism but will each take their own stance ahead of today’s season-opening Austrian Grand Prix. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) said several virtual meetings were held to agree how best to show collective support at the Red Bull Ring. | IOL…

COMMENTARY Food security a major concern the world over MALUTA NETSHAULU FOOD security remains a major concern as businesses throughout the world struggle to get to grips with the Covid-19 pandemic. The lockdown has also6 affected agriculture exports. But as the country eases lockdown regulations, the ability of South Africa and the Continent to look after its people remains high on the agenda. According to the fourth annual Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC 2020), Africa has the largest numbers of acutely food-insecure people in need of assistance in countries badly affected by weather events, particularly in the Horn of Africa and Southern Africa, followed by Central America and Pakistan. Conflict, insecurity, weather extremes, desert locusts, economic shocks and Covid-19 are expected to be the key drivers of acute food…

HOSTILITY PLEAS FOR HELP FALLEN ON DEAF EARS DR TSHEPO MVULANE MOLOI THERE is a humanitarian tragedy happening in Congo due to limited access to local and international media resulting from the combination of political hostility and worsened by lack of basic transport infrastructures. As a South African, I join all those astonished at how our government, similar to most other governments, within and beyond Africa, have been silent about the inhuman massacre of the Banyamulenge people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Historically, Eastern Congo has for decades been an epicentre of violent conflict, largely launched in the Kivus (South and North). Despite multilateral efforts that followed the 2002-2003 inclusive agreement signed in South Africa, including the presence of the largest UN peacekeeping mission of roughly 20 000…

LETTERS Email: scribe@inl.co.za (no attachments). All letters must contain the writer’s full name, physical address and telephone number. No pen names. Banning smoking a bullying tactic I WRITE in dismay at the continued ban of cigarettes and the long-drawn-out court processes that are not helping resolve what I see as an infringement on our constitutional rights to buy cigarettes and smoke. In my view, cigarette smokers are better than people who drink alcohol, drive and turn violent against others. People who smoke cigarettes simply puff away their troubles out of sight of everyone who might be affected. In buildings and in major companies within the CBD, cigarette smokers always go outside for a puff because we are mindful of the health implications to passive smokers. Also, since the Covid statistics…

TURKEY Turning Hagia Sophia into a mosque opposed CONVERTING Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia monument from a museum to a mosque would be “unacceptable”, a senior official in the Russian Orthodox Church said yesterday. Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan has proposed restoring the mosque status of the Unesco World Heritage Site, a sixth century building at the heart of the Christian Byzantine and Muslim Ottoman empires and one of Turkey’s most visited monuments. “We can’t go back to the Middle Ages now,” Metropolitan Hilarion, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for external church relations, said on state television, the Interfax news agency reported. “We live in a multipolar world, we live in a multi-confessional world and we need to respect the feelings of believers.” He said the Russian Orthodox Church believed domestic politics…

Lightning storms kill 32 in India New Delhi: At least 32 people were killed by lightning across India’s northern states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during monsoon storms, officials and news reports said yesterday. Twenty-one people were killed in eight districts in the eastern state of Bihar since Friday evening, the ANI news agency reported. While most victims were directly hit by the strikes, some deaths were reported after huts and trees collapsed. The victims were “mostly farmers or homeless (people) who were outdoors”. Eleven other people were killed in similar incidents in the state of Uttar Pradesh, officials said. Dozens of people have been killed in such incidents in northern India in recent days. Last week, more 100 people were killed in lightning strikes in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh…

UMLAZI Ex-gangster writes novel TASCHICA PILLAY taschia.pillay.co.za WHEN the going gets tough, the tough get going, is a well-known adage and something an aspiring Durban author can attest to. Self-employed Musa Kheswa, 45, from uMlazi, got the attention of cyclists and joggers along Durban’s promenade where he tried to sell his book. Kheswa was driving along the beachfront when he saw the opportunity to market his book, titled Sky-birds & Ravishers. The book is a crime thriller set in a dark and violent time in Durban. It is based on a boy from uMlazi who engaged in criminal activity, goes to prison where he joins prison gangs and then dies. Kheswa said he was on his way to a book shop in the city when he saw people on the…

AFRICA THIS WEEK MISSING CHANCE TO SHOW AFRICA’S WORTH VICTOR KGOMOESWANA @VictorAfrica WISE people say no crisis should be wasted, and that is exactly what we are doing with Covid-19 in Africa. Last week’s version of this was the fuel shortage in Botswana. Queues of motorists and patrons with jerrycans overwhelmed petrol stations in Botswana because of congestion at the South Africa-Botswana border. Why? Botswana’s screening and testing regime is stricter than that of South Africa. Trucks ferrying fuel there take longer to be processed at the border. What kind of African neighbours cannot share fuel in hard times? The lack of consistency among member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in containing the outbreak renders certain regional routes more popular than others. This raises the strain on…

Icasa to issue invites for licensing DINEO FAKU dineo.faku@inl.co.za THE Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is planning to issue invitations for the licensing of the radio frequency spectrum and the Wireless Open Access Network (Woan). Icasa said late on Thursday that it was preparing to publish the Invitation To Apply (ITA) for the Woan and the International Mobile Telecommunications spectrum, also known as high demand spectrum, without indicating time frames. The ITA is for licences in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 2.3GHz, 2.6GHz and 3.5GHz bands, which is most commonly associated with 5G. Icasa, which had planned to publish the ITA before the end of June, said it had run into slight delays given the complexity of the process. Dimakatso Qocha, Icasa’s acting chairperson, said on Friday that the authority…

REAL NUMBERS Cape Town’s reaction to a man’s humiliation represents hypocrisy of state hegemony I AM intrigued by the relationship between dogs, cattle and their masters. The behaviour is, at times, no different from that found in the state. The relationship between citizens, security forces and the executive have a lot in common with that of dogs, cattle and their owner. The tragic events of Bulelani Qolani, the Khayelitsha resident humiliated by City of Cape Town security officers who dragged him naked out of his shack, reminded me of my herdboy experiences five decades ago. Let us explore this relationship. The government is a hegemony that is contested. A hegemony is described as leadership or dominance, especially by one state or social group, over others. The contestation manifests in the…

STARS Aries (March 21 - April 20) People love predictability so no one is going to be happy if you are constantly changing your mind. It will be more difficult if you start talking about plans or proposals few can understand. Nor should you ignore the opinions of those closest to you. Taurus (April 21 - May 20) It is a “now or never” kind of week. You are determined to put yourself on the map – right here, right now. Even if your current job is stable, you crave more success, more money, just plain “more”. Don’t rush it, or you will force things to happen before their time. Gemini (May 21 - June 21) Geminis focus on finances this week, affording an opportunity to increase income. Start saving…

CRICKET No spectators, no saliva as cricket enters a bubble INTERNATIONAL cricket will gingerly ease out of a 117-day shutdown in Southampton next week but the scars of the Covid-19 pandemic will be clearly evident at the Ageas Bowl. An encounter between the fourth and eighth-ranked teams in Test cricket is hardly a pinnacle but England’s series against West Indies could offer a glimpse into a future where the game plods on under the shadow of the new coronavirus. “Fans are tired of Zoom interviews, old matches and highlights. Finally, there’s something to look forward to and it’s very important that we get it right,” cricket historian Boria Majumdar told Reuters. “This is the beginning of cricket’s new normal.” The last time the sweet sound of bat meeting ball was…

Carter catches the eye on return FORMER All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter gave himself a pass mark after his first game of rugby in New Zealand since 2015 but was not expecting to make a marketers’ dream debut for the Auckland Blues next week against the Canterbury Crusaders. Carter, 38, surprisingly joined the Blues last month for Super Rugby Aotearoa but said he would need a few weeks to get up to speed and took his first tentative steps back yesterday, playing for boyhood club Southbridge in a Canterbury club match. “If anyone saw that game today, I’d say myself that I’m a bit rusty,” Carter told reporters after he kicked six conversions and had a hand in two tries in Southbridge’s 54-14 victory over West Melton. It’s good to…

TailPiece SIU probes Molefe’s ‘apartheid unit’ guard NEW CHOCOLATE PRODUCER HITS THE SWEET SPOT GOMA: Aisha Kalinda melts the chunks of cocoa in a pan and spoons the brown gloop into a mould which will become the latest bar produced at the Lowa chocolate factory, the first locally owned producer in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For decades, eastern Congo’s underground riches such as gold and coltan have sustained cycles of deadly violence in the area. But before the country fell apart in the 1990s, North Kivu province exported overground riches, too, like coffee and cocoa. “People have that ignorance of looking at chocolate like it’s something from abroad that can’t be made in Africa,” Kalinda said, stirring the pot. “We decided to break that rule.” | Reuters MZILIKAZI WA AFRIKA…

SHOOTINGS ‘Rogue officers’ torment residents KENNETH MOKGATLHE ORLANDO East residents are living in fear following shooting incidents allegedly by members of the SAPS based at the Orlando Police Station. The shootings come after a member of the VIP protection unit, Edward “Dali” Dloboyi, was murdered last Thursday at his home in Meadow-lands by unknown people. His car was allegedly found stripped inside a nearby hostel. The motive for the killing is being investigated, said police. According to a source who did not want to be named for fear of victimisation, Dloboyi was a messenger in the office of the deputy minister in the Department of Higher Education and Training. He is said to have also been a former member of the protection unit of former president Jacob Zuma. While some…

NETFLIX Spike Lee loses moral compass in ’Nam offering LETEPE MAISELA MONICA ALMEIDA Reuters DANNY MOLOSHOK Reuters THIS is a new arrival in the Netflix watching regime: I recently downloaded and watched Spike Lee’s newest offering Da 5 Bloods, all two hours and 35 minutes of it. I’ve always been a fan of zany Lee’s movie productions. My all-time favourites include Jungle Fever, He Got Game, Malcolm X and Get on the Bus. Lee is also attributed with exposing African-American actors like Denzel Washington, Wesley Snipes, Samuel L Jackson and others to mainstream Hollywood, in the days when they were hardly known. My real first encounter with Jackson was in Jungle Fever in 1991, where he played a druggie shot dead by his own father, reminiscent of how singer Marvin Gaye…

Family buries wrong body LESEGO MAKGATHO MICHEAL Vukile Noda, 79, from Uitenhage, Eastern Cape started displaying symptoms of Covid-19, and when his condition got worse, his wife sought medical attention on June 16. The last time the family saw him was when the ambulance took him to hospital. According to Vukile’s wife, Nomsa Noda, 69, he had the flu for about two weeks. “He went to the doctor but couldn’t finish the treatment as he was admitted before he could finish it,” she said. His condition changed and he was then taken to the trauma unit, she said. The hospital told the family that he had a lung infection. He was then transferred to a ward and had been there for a week. “Because we weren’t allowed to visit him,…

EDUCATION Back to school – or not? Minister, MECs to decide today, unions at odds on readiness regarding water, ablution facilities, social distancing BONGANI HANS bongani.hans@inl.co.za BASIC Education Minister Angie Motshekga will today elaborate on schools’ readiness to phase in extra grades tomorrow as some unions are concerned this is still risky because Covid-19 infections are continuing to increase. Expressing concern is the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) which said even with grades 7 and 12 returning, many schools struggled with water, ablution facilities and space to exercise social distancing. The minister, together with various education MECs, will hold a press briefing at 4pm in Pretoria. “The minister will also elaborate on the revised plans regarding the return of other grades to school,” read a statement from the department. The…

MUNICIPALITIES Minister okays operations LOYISO SIDIMBA loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za CO-OPERATIVE Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has given the country’s 257 municipalities the green light to resume their operations. Dlamini Zuma published new regulations on municipalities which state that they can now resume operations, including the holding of by-elections to replace councillors. “Municipal councils that are due to fill vacancies in any of the positions of municipal office-bearers may request the Electoral Commission to manage the election of such office-bearers,” read the regulations. According to Dlamini Zuma, municipalities and their entities rendering services must ensure that there is strict adherence to all Covid-19 public health and containment prescripts, especially those relating to gatherings, physical distancing, health and safety. The regulations state that normal, face-to-face council and staff meetings may…

WINDYBROW Does Innocence Matter? – an online discussion THE Windybrow Arts Centre has cemented its place in Johannesburg’s cultural landscape as a vibrant and dynamic space that offers a platform for robust dialogues. The centre has opened its doors to another international partnership with a topic dear to the arts fraternity: human rights. Together with local poetry and live performance curators, Hear My Voice presents Does Innocence Matter? in dialogue with Satish Sekar on his book, Trial & Tribulations – a three-part online discussion unpacking miscarriages of justice around the globe, heard from the victims and activists leading the fight to reform justice systems. In 2017, British Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced there would be no public inquiry into a very limited aspect of one of the most notorious cases…

COMMENT WHY NO WORD OF MAYOSI, UCT’S BIGGEST FAILURE? EDWIN NAIDU SOCIAL media diva Mamokgethi Phakeng has returned with a bang to celebrate her second year in the hot seat as vice-chancellor of UCT, ensuring that Twitter was awash with utopian colourful memories. The outspoken Phakeng had maintained a stony silence following the damning report into the university’s starring role leading to the death of the top scientist Professor Bongani Mayosi almost a month after she took office. The report did not absolve Phakeng, then deputy vice-chancellor, and university executives under former vice-chancellor Dr Max Price or students from culpability in contributing to the conditions resulting in Mayosi taking his life on July 27, 2018. But it showed a university devoid of heart in honestly addressing Mayosi’s cries for help.…

COMMENT JOURNALISTS MUST START DOING THEIR JOBS PROPERLY SIXOLISE GCILISHE JOURNALISM may have died on the March 23, 2020, according to Unathi Kondile, the editor of Isolezwe lesiXhosa, but for me I had called its time of death way before his realisation of its demise. Growing up, newsroom professionals were respected individuals. The likes of Tumi Makgabo, Nikiwe Bikitsha, Siki Mgabadeli, Miranda Strydom, Noxolo Grootbom, Tsepiso Makwetla and Sophie Mokoena were some of the news personnel who cared about rigorous reporting and the positive psychological effects news coverage could have on the viewer. Theirs was a journalism focused on an ability to create positive mindset shifts for news and current affairs, and used every opportunity to open people’s minds to the possibility of positive change. This week, a 17-year-old boy,…

The People Gold mask as virus spreads during monsoon INDIA: Shankar Kurhade, 48, wears his mask made out of gold in Pune, yesterday. He claims the mask weighs 50 grams and costs about $3870 (R69 000). India recorded its highest singe-day spike of Covid-19 cases yesterday, with more than 22770 new cases and 442 deaths, as infections rose amid monsoon rains. | Reuters Paris prepares for virtual fashion week PARIS is usually abuzz during its prestigious Haute Couture presentations in July, its hotels heaving with fashionistas and monuments become catwalk venues. But in a makeover caused by Covid-19, designers will instead be experimenting with online showcases to try to keep clients hooked. Brands from Christian Dior to Valentino are pressing ahead with collections and shows through an organised schedule of…

ENGLAND 8.5m litres of beer to be ‘sunk’ PEOPLE could get a drink in a pub, have a meal in a restaurant or get a haircut for the first time in over three months yesterday as England took its biggest steps yet towards resumption of normal life. Pubs were allowed to start serving from 6am, sparking worries of over-indulgence on what the media dubbed a “Super Saturday” of Covid-19 restrictions being eased. Some hairdressers were reported to have opened at midnight. “It’s beautiful just to get back and have a pint,” said Jim Martin, a 56-year old carpenter. Police chiefs are worried that the reopening of pubs could fuel drunken and irresponsible behaviour, while hospitals have been warned to prepare for a New Year’s Eve-style weekend. “There’s an element of…

Fire flares at city power plant in Iran DUBAI: A fire broke out at a power station in south-western Iran yesterday, Iranian media reported, the latest of several recent fires and explosions, some of which have hit sensitive sites. The blaze, which affected a transformer in the city of Ahvaz, was put out and electricity was restored after partial outages. On Thursday, a fire broke out at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility. A former official suggested the incident could have been an attempt to sabotage the plant. Gas leaks were blamed for an explosion on Tuesday that killed 19 people at a medical clinic north of Tehran and for the blast at the Parchin military and weapons development base east of the capital on June 26. Reuters…

UNDIES Come on chaps, pull your socks (and pants) up Research shows British males invest in new underwear once every five years HENRY DEEDES THEY are the most essential item in any man’s wardrobe. The first thing he puts on in the morning and the last thing he removes at night. He will (hopefully) pull on a new pair each day, sometimes twice if tonight is that special night. Most importantly, they offer him comfort and support, not to mention protection, where it is most needed. With all that in mind, a man’s underpants should really be something of a personal preoccupation in his life. As important to him, say, as the car he drives, the football team he cheers on, or the brand of whisky he slurps. You would…

RELATIONS ‘Like a bad episode of a soapie’ The South African government is accused of trying to strong-arm its Botswanan counterpart over ‘shenanigans’ involving Ramaphosa’s sister-in-law’, write Sifiso Mahlangu and Siyabonga Mkhwanazi THE relationship between South Africa and it’s neighbour Botswana has hit an all-time low. This after lobby group and legal think tank AfriForum threw down the gauntlet, acting on behalf of Botswana to have businesswoman and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s sister-in-law Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe face allegations of corruption, money laundering and attempting to overthrow a democratically elected government. Last year, newspapers in Botswana reported that Motsepe-Radebe had a romantic relationship with Botswana’s former president, Ian Khama. Speaking to Independent Media last year, Khama denied the alleged relationship with Motsepe-Radebe, slamming it as “the current government’s propaganda”. AfriForum’s decision comes on…

BIZ 101 Consider property refinance to save your business and free cash flow EVEN as lockdown regulations ease and the economy reopens, many businesses continue to face serious cash flow issues that could force them into closure. For business owners who find themselves in this unfortunate position, or are just looking to free equity, a finance tool that may be worth considering is business property refinance. What is business property refinance? Refinancing is one of the most effective ways for business owners to tap into the equity in their property to secure cash on hand when needed. This is because, in addition to being considered tax-free, the capital can be used for any purpose and the interest can be deducted as an expense. This means that refinancing can offer a…

TV HIGHLIGHTS YVONNE ORJI: MOMMA, I MADE IT SHOWMAX Insecure’s Yvonne Orji gets a packed Howard Theatre rolling with laughter as she brings her razor-sharp wit and confidence to the stage in her first HBO comedy special. Both celebrating and poking fun at her strict, formative Nigerian-American upbringing, Yvonne speaks to her unique journey from pre-med to comedy. DESUS & MERO SEASON 2 WEDNESDAYS, AT 10.15PM ON 1MAGIC (DSTV 103) The show features the duo chatting with guests at the intersection of pop culture, sports, music, politics and more, as well as giving their take on the day’s hot topics in their signature style in front of a small live studio audience from New York City. SUNDAY | JUL 5 SABC1 06:00 Teenagers On A Mission 07:00 Siyakholwa 07:30 Bonisanani…

INJURY TIME CUT SHOT Grant Flower, the former Zimbabwean international, told Neil Manthorp, hosting talksport’s Following On Cricket podcast about the time Younis Khan held a knife to his throat. Flower, Pakistan’s batting coach between 2014 and 2019, said the incident occurred in Australia and then-Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur had to intervene. “Younis Khan… quite tough to master… obviously, a brilliant career. I remember one incident in Brisbane, during the Test, at breakfast I tried to give him a bit of batting advice, not that my career was anywhere near his regarding stats, as he is the highest scorer in Pakistan Test cricket. But he didn’t take kindly to my advice and brought a knife to my throat, with Mickey Arthur sitting alongside, who had to intervene. Yeah, it’s been…

E P L Klopp ready to give his medal away JURGEN Klopp has vowed that each member of Liverpool’s squad will receive a Premier League winner’s medal — even if it means giving his own away. The manager is perplexed by the system that means a player is only guaranteed a medal once he has made five appearances. “I don’t know who came up with that,” said Klopp, whose side face Aston Villa today. “Even if you have played one game you should have a medal. If the people don’t understand how important a squad is to win a championship then I cannot help them to be honest. “If you are the second goalie and have had less games, you should get a medal. You train five million times over…