Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-05-11 i Sunday Independent

It has now been more than two years since Tongaat Hulett, South Africa’s 130-year-old sugar giant, entered business rescue. What was supposed to be a bold restructuring has instead devolved into a slow, painful erosion of shareholder rights, creditor value, and public confidence. As of yesterday, the Vision consortium – heralded as the saviour of Tongaat – has failed to deliver even a cent of the promised funding. The April 30 deadline, the fifth to be missed, has passed with silence. No explanation. No accountability. No money. And yet, somehow, the show goes on. Illusion of progress On April 16, a SENS announcement confirmed that the Zimbabwean competition commission had approved the sale of assets to Vision. According to the Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs), this was the “last required competition…

If you rely on your morning coffee to kickstart the day, there might be a way to make it work even harder for you – and it involves adding just one common kitchen ingredient. Health expert Dr Karan Rajan and nutritionist Corey Rodriguez recently shared a tip on TikTok that combines coffee with cocoa for a potential brain boost. The idea is based on the concept of “food synergy” – the way certain foods can complement each other to enhance their health benefits. Corey explained that mixing cocoa into your coffee could lead to greater mental clarity and improved mood. That’s because caffeine (found in coffee) and theobromine (a compound in cocoa) work together to sharpen focus and elevate alertness. Cocoa or cacao – what’s the difference? While many of…

THE State Information Technology Agency (SITA) is saddled with cases of irregular expenditure totaling about R2 billion. This was revealed by the institution’s acting managing director Gopal Reddy, during a briefing with the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) regarding the agency's 2023-24 audit outcomes on Wednesday. Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke’s recent report found that SITA did not take effective and appropriate steps to prevent irregular expenditure required by the Public Finance Management Act. “The majority of the irregular expenditure relates to expenditure incurred on ongoing multi-year contracts in prior years. “Prepayments were made before goods or services were received and the terms of contract did not specify that payments in advance are required in contravention of treasury regulation,” Maluleke said. She also stated in her report that she was unable…

A fierce dispute has erupted surrounding Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) leadership and ongoing development projects in Sekhukhune, with the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tinyiko Maluleko, at the centre of a contentious debate. The conflict escalated after a local organisation, the Vatsonga Machangani Forum, publicly condemned what it described as “personal attacks” against Maluleke, following allegations submitted to the Public Protector’s Office regarding the university’s involvement in a proposed Sekhukhune campus. The controversy stems from a report by the Bapedi Royal Kingdom in Sekhukhune, which accused TUT of sabotaging efforts to establish a University of Mining and Agriculture in the region - a project reportedly initiated in 2021 through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Bapedi Kingdom and TUT. William Maphutha, who claims to be the Sekhukhune Campus Development Coordinator…

City of Tshwane has been named the safest metropolitan city in South Africa, according to the 2024 State of Urban Safety in SA report. The study, verified police statistics and data from Statistics South Africa (SSA), places Tshwane at the top of the national safety rankings — a significant shift for a city that once grappled with some of the highest crime rates in the nation. The city welcomed this recognition, with residents of Tshwane praising the coalition for making progress in addressing the issues of service delivery and lawlessness. According to the study, this recognition makes Tshwane safer than major US cities such as Atlanta, New Orleans, and Washington DC. Tshwane is run under a coalition government led by ActionSA, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom…

The controversial televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, 66, from Nigeria, has been arrested in the Eastern Cape The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fanie Masemola confirmed this on Saturday. “This morning in East London at about 5am, the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Inspectorate, together with the South African Police Service, arrested Omotoso in the town just after the church. “He will be facing charges relating to the violation of the Immigration Act,” Masemola said. Omotoso will be appearing in court on Monday. According to information, Omotoso is being held at the Mdantsane police station. Omotoso’s arrest comes weeks after he was acquitted on an array of charges including rape, human trafficking and sexual assault. He and his two co-accused, Lusanda Sulani, 41, and…

The South African Development Community (SADC) will foot the bill for the return of the South African National Defence (SANDF) and their military equipment from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This was revealed by Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa when responding to questions during the meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence on Friday. “This operation is not only a South African operation but it is a SADC operation. In a meeting of leaders, they agreed all SADC countries are to foot the bill of withdrawing our troops,” Holomisa said. Chief of the SANDF General Rudzani Maphwanya confirmed that the withdrawal of the mission in the DRC was under the SADC. “‘This is a SADC mission that the SADC countries as a whole will be doing the rest…

A TOP Zimbabwean banker is at the centre of the nearly R2 billion Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) tender scandal involving a South African printing company to supply election materials in 2023 amid money laundering investigations on both sides of the Limpopo River. Raymond Singathini Chigogwana, who is chief executive of a Harare-based money transfer agency, Access Finance Group, and Access Forex (Proprietary) Limited, a money remittance entity in Johannesburg, facilitated prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo's rapid movement of R800 million across banks from proceeds of an allegedly corrupt deal now under investigation by the South African Revenue Services and police. A recent South African Financial Intelligence Centre report states there was swift movement of funds across different banks from Zimbabwe to South Africa – through Chivayo's personal and business accounts –…

THE DA’s decision to challenge the Employment Equity Amendment Act has the ANC fuming. In a strongly worded statement, the ANC accused the DA of “drifting from the spirit of the Government of National Unity and positioning itself outside the project of nation-building and shared prosperity. Transformation, equity, and diversity are not up for negotiation.” This legal challenge follows closely on the DA and EFF’s successful bid to stop the Treasury from increasing VAT by 0.5%. These challenges, including the DA’s intention to challenge the implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act and the National Health Insurance Act, are part of a strategy to wear the ANC out by keeping it busy. The persistent bickering between the ANC and DA is to be expected. The GNU is, after all,…

THE search for the African Development Bank (AfDB)’s 10th president is on. The AfDB will hold elections for a new president on May 29 during its Annual Board of Governors Meeting. The current president, Akinwumi Adesina’s second and final term as president of the Bank will lapse in August. Four candidates are in the race to replace him. These include Amadou Hott from Senegal, Samuel Maimbo from Zambia, South Africa’s Swazi Tshabalala, and Sidi Ould Tah from Mauritania. The winning candidate will have to secure a double majority of the votes from the bank’s 54 regional (African) members on the one hand, and the collective of regional and non-regional members will secure another majority from the regional and the 27 non-regional members combined. Among the bank’s non-regional members are the…

The Lions go into their latest ‘do-or-die’ clash against the Scarlets at Ellis Park on Sunday (3pm kickoff) minus stalwart scrumhalf Morné van den Berg, and with a positional switch for Springbok flanker Ruan Venter. Nico Steyn will replace livewire Springbok Van den Berg, who has a hamstring injury, in the starting line-up against the Welsh visitors. He will be expected to provide the spark for an exciting Lions backline that includes the elusive and dynamic Quan Horn at fullback, star centre Henco van Wyk and wings Richard Kriel and Edwill van der Merwe. If their pack can help give them front-foot ball, then home fans could be in for a treat of running rugby. They will have to cut out the unforced errors that have blighted their play at…

Mamelodi Sundowns will be aiming to take another major step toward wrapping up yet another dominant Premiership campaign when they host Stellenbosch FC at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium this afternoon (3pm kickoff). The Brazilians are just four points away from clinching an unprecedented eighth consecutive league title, and remain firmly in control at the summit. They’ll be eager to assert their dominance over a Stellenbosch side still battling for a top-three finish and a return to continental football. Stellies recently bowed out of the CAF Confederation Cup after a narrow 1-0 aggregate semi-final loss to Simba SC. Since their historic continental run came to an end, they have since turned their focus back to domestic matters. They currently sit one point behind third-placed Sekhukhune United, but still have a…

Ruben Amorim admits Manchester United have “so many problems” and deserve criticism despite storming into the Europa League final with a 7-1 aggregate victory over Athletic Bilbao. United went into Thursday’s second leg of their semi-final at Old Trafford 3-0 ahead after the first leg in Spain, but conceded first, and looked nervy and chaotic at times. A triple substitution just after the hour mark changed the game, with one of those brought on, Mason Mount, scoring twice as United roared back to win 4-1, setting up a final clash against Tottenham in Bilbao. But United manager Amorim was not fooled by the score-line as he contemplated the wreckage of United’s Premier League campaign ahead of today’s home match against fellow strugglers West Ham. If the Hammers beat United and…

Star Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema will captain Bafana Bafana in a decisive African Nations Championship (CHAN) second-leg qualifier against Malawi at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday afternoon. Bafana Bafana will bank on Maema’s experience and leadership as the stakes are high following their narrow 1-0 defeat in the first leg, when Kwanda Mngonyama captained the team. Maema’s absence was felt keenly in the first leg as Bafana Bafana struggled to turn opportunities into goals. They succumbed to a late strike from Malawi’s Zeliat Nkhoma in the 88th minute. In the lead-up to this critical clash, Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki expressed confidence in Maema, who demonstrated his captaincy prowess during the earlier CHAN qualifying round. Under his captaincy, South Africa triumphed over Egypt with an impressive aggregate score of 4-2.…

Only five members of the Junior Springbok squad that lost against Australia in the Under-20 Rugby Championship have been retained for Sunday’s massive clash against New Zealand at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha (4.10pm kickoff). Junior Bok coach Kevin Foote continued the trend of making wholesale changes to his side in the tournament as the hosts push for a strong finish. The South Africans had started off with a come-from-behind win over Argentina, before falling short against the resurgent Junior Wallabies on Tuesday afternoon. Foote has included five players from the side that faced Australia for their clash against New Zealand. In the pack, loosehead prop Simphiwe Ngobese, lock and captain Riley Norton and No 8 Wandile Mlaba are retained from the side that fell just short against…

Towards the end of the month, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will be meeting to make its latest decision on the repurchase rate (repo rate) for the country. Despite inflation being the lowest it has been since June 2020, economists widely anticipate that the central bank will keep the repo rate unchanged in May. Lead economist at KPMG, Frank Blackmore, told Business Report that there is a difference between what the SARB will do and what he thinks the should do. Blackmore said that the SARB’s MPC made it clear that its decisions are data-dependent, relying on both current inflation readings and future inflation expectations. “The latest inflation rate of 2.7% is well below the midpoint of their target (4.5%) and even below the lower…

There’s a reason the old saying “procrastination is the thief of joy” hits home. We’ve all been there, putting off a gym session, postponing that overdue doctor’s appointment, or delaying a tough conversation. It feels harmless in the moment, but behind the scenes, procrastination is quietly chipping away at our mental health. In South Africa, where rising mental health challenges intersect with high levels of stress, especially among young adults and working women, it’s time to take a closer look at the hidden dangers of delaying the things that matter. Research shows that 20–25% of adults are chronic procrastinators, and this behaviour isn’t just about laziness or poor time management, it’s often rooted in anxiety, fear of failure, or perfectionism. When left unchecked, it can mess with your mood, self-esteem,…

AFRIKANERS who will be leaving to take up new citizenship in America because of the South African government’s transformation policies will leave with peace of mind knowing that they could still come back if they are not happy in their new home country, said political analyst Thobani Zikalala. This followed a Constitutional Court ruling on May 6 in favour of a DA application to protect people who are taking new citizenship in a foreign country from losing citizenship of their country of birth. “This ruling means that people can now leave to get a passport of another country because they are gatvol with South Africa, but can return to be South Africans when convenient. “This judgment says that those people who left South Africa to become citizens of other countries…

Despite the ANC having been shown the door in KwaZulu-Natal by opposition parties and losing several key wards, the party said it held no grudges against the province’s voters and would continue serving the community. “We have contested five wards since we came in almost two months ago. We admit we have lost three of those wards,” said Mike Mabuyakhulu, co-ordinator of the ANC's provincial task team. “We retained two in Richmond and Ward 28 in KwaDuduza, and last week we lost Ward 18 in Mandeni.” “However, the ANC did gain one ward, Ward 12 in uPhongolo, from the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP),” Mabuyakhulu said. He was responding to questions about the ANC’s declining performance in recent by-elections, including losses to former president Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP). The…

THE South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) has distanced itself from views expressed by speakers at an event organised by its Western Cape branch, where DA MP Emma Powell came under fire from a group of people over her recent ‘fact-finding’ mission in Israel. Powell was a keynote speaker at the event on Wednesday. The topic of discussion was South Africa’s strategic goals within the G20 and its bilateral relations with the US, the European Union and BRICS+ partners. “The presence of Ms Powell, given her and the DA’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, led to protests and a breakdown of the event due to security concerns. It is important to clarify that SAIIA has active branches in Cape Town (Western Cape) and Pietermaritzburg, each with volunteer committees that…

AS the world celebrates the 80th anniversary of the defeat of the Nazi Germany by the Red Army and its allies, there is a little-known story waiting to come to light about music masterpiece that helped raise funds in Africa for Soviet Russia during the Second World War. On 9 July 1944, Dmitri Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony, a work that became a music manifesto of resistance to Nazism, was premiered at the Metro Theatre of Johannesburg, South Africa. In a concert hall filled to capacity, conductor Jeremy Schulman raised his baton, and the orchestra began playing the opening theme: a mechanical march that exemplified the stomping sound of Nazi boots. That’s how South Africa joined the world premiere of a symphony written during the siege of Leningrad (presently – St. Petersburg,…

RESEARCHERS at the University of Bonn, Germany, have uncovered that certain regions in South Africa are gradually lifting, by as much as two millimetres a year, due to a phenomenon far removed from the hot mantle plumes previously thought to be responsible for such changes. Instead of deep-earth forces driving this uplift, the legs of science have turned to the immediate and pressing culprit: drought. The groundbreaking study employs data accumulated through a vast network of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) base stations known as TrigNet, which has been observing subtle land movements across South Africa for over two decades. Current analyses indicate that when surface and underground water evaporate or deplete, the Earth's crust can rebound in a manner akin to a sponge expanding after being squeezed. This newly…

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has condemned recent remarks made by Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, after eight members of the Presidential Protection Unit were cleared of charges. The union says Cameron’s inflammatory reference to the officers as “thugs” undermines the judiciary, disrespects the rule of law, and poses a threat to the safety and morale of police officers. In a statement, Popcru welcomed the exoneration of eight members of the Presidential Protection Unit linked to Deputy President Paul Mashatile, emphasising that the officers had “endured undue public vilification while subject to the legal process.” IOL previously reported that members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s protection unit, who were captured on video allegedly assaulting a motorist on the N1, are facing criminal…

THE national assembly in Zimbabwe has been petitioned to use its oversight mechanisms to investigate widespread allegations of money laundering activities against flamboyant Zimbabwean mogul, Wicknell Chivayo - a known close ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. In documents seen by IOL, Emmanuel Nkosilathi Moyo, an activist based in the town of Kwekwe has written to Zimbabwe’s Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, urging the legislature to conduct an investigation into the allegations of money laundering and corruption levelled against Chivayo. In the petition, Moyo urges Zimbabwe’s parliament to closely probe the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)’s US$100 million tender which was awarded ahead of the 2023 general elections. According to media reports in Zimbabwe, the tender, awarded to South African firm Ren-Form CC with Chivayo reportedly acting as a key intermediary, has…

KwaZulu-Natal has always been an important province to different political parties. In 1994, both the ANC and the IFP were determined to clinch KZN, but the IFP emerged victorious. Years later, the ANC joined hands with the IFP to co-govern the province. Subsequently, the ANC won the province. While licking its wounds, the IFP did not give up hope that it would one day reclaim KZN from the ANC. Not to be left out in this scramble for KZN, the DA opted to work with the IFP to neutralise the ANC. Its plan seemed to be on course until two developments happened. The first one was the passing away of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who had been the face of the IFP since its formation in 1975. Even after Velenkosini Hlabisa…

THE latest escalation of military tensions between India and Pakistan is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace. Border skirmishes, intensified military manoeuvres and inflammatory rhetoric from both sides have renewed fears of a conflict that could potentially spiral completely out of control. These developments seriously threaten regional stability and international peace and security, prompting urgent calls for de-escalation from the global community. On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, a military offensive targeting what it claimed were terrorist infrastructures linked to militant organisations Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. These strikes, India said, were in direct response to the killing of 26 civilians, primarily Indian tourists, in the India-administered region of Kashmir. India has blamed Pakistan-based groups for the attack, holding Islamabad responsible. Pakistan viewed the strikes as a violation of…

New Proteas Men’s all-format coach Shukri Conrad will not give any player an “ultimatum”, but has stressed the importance of prioritising the national team ahead of playing in leagues moving forward. Conrad, who has been at the helm of the Proteas Test side since January 2023, was tasked with the additional responsibility of steering both ODI and T20I white-ball teams. The 57-year-old succeeds Rob Walter after the New Zealand-based coach resigned back in April. Upon his appointment on Friday, Conrad was particularly candid about wanting his best players available for all international cricket – both bilateral series and major ICC tournaments. Despite Walter’s excellent ICC tournament record, which included two ODI semi-final appearances (World Cup 2023 and Champions Trophy 2025) and a first-ever T20 World Cup final appearance last year…

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has warned excessive transfer fees could prevent him from signing a tailor-made replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. The England right-back, whose contract expires in June, announced on Monday he would be leaving Liverpool, a club he has been with since he was a young boy, with the 26-year-old saying it was "easily the hardest decision I've ever made in my life". Alexander-Arnold's future has been the subject of intense speculation this season, with the defender widely tipped to join Spanish giants Real Madrid after helping Liverpool win this season's Premier League. His exit leaves Liverpool short of cover in his position, with 21-year-old Conor Bradley, who has made 54 senior appearances, now their only recognised right-back. "I think it would be a surprise if I were to…

Chelsea’s noon (1pm SA time) kickoff at Newcastle United in the Premier League today is not ideal after their midweek Conference League game – but the team will adapt and prepare with Champions League places at stake, manager Enzo Maresca has said. Chelsea beat Swedish side Djurgarden 1-0 on Thursday – via a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall goal – and 5-1 on aggregate to reach the Conference League final. But they will have fewer than 72 hours to turn their attention back to the Premier League top-five race when they travel to Tyneside. Chelsea are fifth in the standings with 63 points and a goal difference of 21 – the same as Newcastle, who are fourth having scored four more goals than the London side this season. “It’s a 12pm kickoff (local…

The pain continues for millions of South Africans who have battled their way through the past year, despite the cost-of-living crisis that has all but decimated household budgets across income groups, with no easing up of their financial burden on any front whatsoever. “The past few months have been among the toughest yet for citizens from all walks of life and the tiny petrol price cut announced by the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (DMRE) this week will make no discernible difference in the lives of consumers who are still facing prices above R20 per litre at the pumps. “In addition, rocketing food prices and unsustainably high interest rates keep them locked into a debt cycle that they cannot escape,” CEO of Debt Rescue Neil Roets said. This week…

Love songs have an undeniable power that resonates deeply within us, weaving stories of joy, heartbreak, and longing that transcend cultural boundaries. As many social media users express their weariness of artists who seemingly find solace exclusively in this genre - like Naledi Aphiwe and Mawelele’s offering, Romeo & Juliet - it’s essential to explore what makes love songs so universally appealing and why they continue to evoke intense emotional responses. For all the concerns about repetitive themes, the success of Romeo & Juliet, which won Best African Pop at this year’s Metro FM Awards, proves that these melodies still strike a chord. This song follows Mawelele’s breakout hit All My Life, a collaboration with Kwesta that gained widespread recognition and also clinched Best R&B at the awards. As listeners,…

Deputy President Paul Mashatile told MPs that state resources would not be used for personal benefit ahead of the ANC elective conference in 2027. Mashatile expressed concern over the potential exploitation of state institutions, assuring that strict monitoring would be implemented to ensure a fair selection process for the new ANC leader. Mashatile addressed questions from MPs in the National Assembly (NA) on Thursday. His comments follow recent reports alleging that members of his party, particularly those in government, had misused state resources to influence election outcomes. This is despite his campaign for the presidency of the ANC, in which he is running against secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and other top party officials. In a public appearance, EFF leader Julius Malema asked Mashatile if he thought the accusations against him –…

The SANDF delegation is among representatives from more than 23 countries attending the historic Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, Russia. This event marks the anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, celebrated annually on May 9 in Russia and several other former Soviet states. The day honours the sacrifices made during the war and commemorates the defeat of fascism, symbolising resilience and international solidarity. Victory Day, observed since 1945, is a significant national holiday in Russia and other former Soviet Union countries. It features military parades, wreath-laying ceremonies and commemorative events to honour the millions of lives lost during the war. Moscow’s celebrations emphasise Russia’s historical role in defeating fascism and fostering diplomatic ties. On Friday, the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) confirmed…

Roundtable discussions to mediate between sexual harassment complainant, Andiswa Mengo, and Judge President Selby Mbenenge during 2022 had crumbled after she allegedly uploaded screenshots of her conversations with the Judge President. This was the evidence given by Judicial Conduct Tribunal witness Denim Kroqwana, the director of Court Operations in the Eastern Cape. According to Kroqwana, Mengo approached him in November 2022 with her allegations. Kroqwana confirmed that at that time, his line of reporting was to the Judge President of the Eastern Cape (JP Mbenenge) as well as the court administration at the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ). According to Kroqwana, Mengo contacted him telephonically about her complaint, after which he asked her how she wanted to proceed with the matter. “She said the Judge President had sent her…

FROM pillorying the US vice president to denouncing the death penalty, Pope Leo has proven unafraid to tackle prickly political issues on social media -- making him the first "extremely online" pontiff. When US vice-president JD Vance suggested that Christians should love their family, neighbours, community and fellow citizens -- in that order -- one very notable Christian took umbrage. Robert Prevost, now better known to the world as Pope Leo, quickly took to X to take a theological swipe at the vice president. "JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others," he wrote, reposting a columnist's searing opinion piece and prompting tens of thousands of likes and a slew of barbed comments. Pope Benedict may have been the first to tweet under the…

The ANC in the greater Johannesburg region has been thrust into factionalism and divisions after its chairperson and mayor, Dada Morero, delivered his State of the City Address (Soca) on Wednesday. Senior party members are aggrieved, claiming that Morero delivered the speech without consulting them. Disgruntled sources within the party have criticised Morero, saying he is running the organisation like a dictator and has single-handedly run down Johannesburg. "He has continued to make promises when the people of Johannesburg are looking for action…we have been saying to the organisation that he is not fit but they do not listen, now we are expressing our dissatisfaction to the media," one source said. However, another senior member attributed these claims to the upcoming regional elective conference, dismissing it as factionalism and to…

Evidence from a 1967 inquest suggests that the driver of the steam train that allegedly killed Inkosi Albert Luthuli violated basic safety rules, which could have prevented the accident. Such operational rules meant that the driver, Stephanus Lategan, should have blown the horn and slowed down the train on approaching the bridge where Luthuli was said to have been hit by the train. Blowing the horn would have warned Luthuli, who was walking on the bridge, about the oncoming train, while the driver slowing down would have avoided the accident. Continuing to give evidence at the reopened inquest into the death of Nobel Peace Prize winner at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Thursday, steam train expert Lesley Labuschagne said it was cast-in-stone rules that when approaching a railway line bridge,…

The fate of the controversial so-called Secrecy Bill hangs in the balance as South Africa’s Justice and Constitutional Development Portfolio Committee prepares to deliberate on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s constitutional concerns regarding the legislation. Initially introduced in 2010 and revived last year after being dormant for years, the Protection of State Information Bill has sparked contention among lawmakers and civil rights advocates. After Ramaphosa returned the Bill to Parliament for reconsideration, the parliamentary legal services said in its legal opinion that it agreed with Ramaphosa that there was merit in most of his reservations on the constitutionality of the Bill. “These address crucial issues of ambiguity (which could result in abuse of power), unreasonable infringements of rights, and applications that could undermine the principle of legality. “Our only point of disagreement…

Proteas Women batter Annerie Dercksen solidified her place in the team and possibly the World Cup side as well, after her breakthrough performance during the Tri-Series event in Sri Lanka. Dercksen earned the praise of her captain Laura Wolvaardt and the rest of her team for her heroic efforts with the bat, seemingly dragging her team over the line as they faced gruelling conditions in Colombo. Dercksen’s mental and physical strength was a ray of light in a dull Proteas performance, losing three matches and winning one against Sri Lanka on Friday. She scored 30 runs against India in the first game and took one wicket, and scored 61 not out in the first game against Sri Lanka, before taking another wicket in the second match against India and scoring…

Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to use the frustration of having to give champions Liverpool a guard of honour today (5.30pm kick-off) as fuel to win the Premier League title next season after admitting they have gone “backwards” this term. Arteta’s side are destined to finish the season without a major trophy after failing to keep pace with Liverpool and crashing out of the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday. The Gunners’ 2-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain ended their bid to win the tournament for the first time. It was a painful loss for Arsenal, who created a host of chances in the early stages of the second leg, but couldn’t find a way past inspired PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Still licking their wounds from the disappointment in Paris, Arsenal head…

Rory McIlroy says winning the Masters to complete a long-sought career Grand Slam will change how he feels going into other majors, starting at this week’s PGA Championship. World No 2 McIlroy defeated England’s Justin Rose last month at Augusta National to capture his fifth major title, and first since 2014, to finally take the green jacket and complete the career Slam. The 36-year-old from Northern Ireland joined Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan with wins in all four major tournaments. So, when McIlroy tees off on Thursday at Quail Hollow – a course where he has won four PGA Tour titles – it will be as a reigning major champion for the first time in 10 years. “I’m obviously going to feel more comfortable…

The British and Irish Lions squad that is about to tour Australia will arguably be the most professionally prepared rugby unit the world has seen. Coach Andy Farrell has been given every resource to ensure the finest players of the UK and Ireland smash the Wallabies. But one wonders if the drive to excel can erode the spirit of touring that has been the wonderful charm of so many Lions tours. My mind goes back to the tales of the Lions’ tours to South Africa, where terrific battles on the rugby pitch were rivalled by the exploits off it. I think of Paddy Mayne, the wild Irish rover who lit up the 1938 tour to South Africa, the year before World War II broke out. Mayne would win more awards…