Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-20 i Sunday Independent

“The essential skill of a secret service is to get things done secretly and deniably.” — John Bruce Lockhurt, former Deputy Chief of SIS IT IS often suggested that prostitution is the oldest profession in the world. But from the dawn of history, people have been seeking to discover the intentions and secrets of their enemies; to penetrate the security barriers behind which their enemies work. Secret intelligence work is not for the faint-hearted, but it is an essential weapon in the armoury of any major nation. Even Secretary of State Henry Stimson of the US, who once objected to proposals to create a US intelligence agency with the remark, “gentlemen do not read other people’s mail”, changed his view after the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.…

Ministers and their deputies in President Cyril Ramaphosa's Government of National Unity (GNU) executive can now buy luxury official vehicles valued up to R1.1 million after the National Treasury increased the limit from R800 000.National Treasury director-general Dr Duncan Pieterse revealed the increase in an instruction dated July 11, and which came into effect on Tuesday this week. Late former finance minister Tito Mboweni announced the R800 000 cap (inclusive of VAT, maintenance plans and security upgrades) for official cars delivering the medium-term budget policy statement as part of government-wide cost-containment measures. Treasury increased and adjusted the R700 000 threshold to R800 000 in the 2019/20 financial year. Pieterse said Mboweni’s successor Enoch Godongwana is required, in terms of the guide for members of the executive (formerly the ministerial handbook),…

A suspended Standard Bank retail manager and his alleged associate remain in custody following their arrest in what police are describing as a high-level drug trafficking investigation with suspected links to an international cartel and Colombian cocaine suppliers. Raed Cupido and Christopher Carelse appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges relating to the possession and dealing of cocaine, possession of prohibited firearms, including an AK-103 assault rifle and a Uzi Pro machine pistol, and the unlawful possession of ammunition. Police estimate the drugs seized carry a street value of approximately R18 million. According to an affidavit submitted by Lieutenant-Colonel Christiaan Daniel Dirk van Renen of the Western Cape Anti-Gang Unit, Cupido was arrested on 10 June 2025 after police received intelligence about suspicious activity at a…

Nearly 400 senior civil servants that underwent lifestyle audits in both the national and provincial government were referred for internal investigations by their departments over the past three financial years. None of the officials were reported to the police for criminal investigations during the same period. This is according to Public Service and Administration minister Mzamo Buthelezi when he was replying to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Sixolise Gcilishe. Gcilishe enquired about the total number of senior government officials who have been formally charged, disciplined and/or dismissed as a direct result of lifestyle audits conducted since 2021. Buthelezi said the lifestyle audits comprised three steps that included lifestyle review, lifestyle investigation and lifestyle audit. “These steps follow on each other and require the unit to conduct interventions to address each…

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has asked that President Cyril Ramaphosa be given time to determine the process to follow in appointing the next National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). Kubayi also said NDPP Shamila Batohi will vacate office when she completes her seven-year term in early 2026 when she reached the retirement age. She was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Damien Klopper and EFF MP Carl Niehaus. In her written response, Kubayi said the National Prosecuting Authority Act expressly indicated that an NDPP must retire at the age of 65. “The provision is peremptory. Thus, the NDPP's tenure cannot be extended after she turns 65 for her to complete a full 10 years. “This means that on 31 January 2026, when the NDPP has turned…

Hundreds of volunteers made their mark at the FoodForward SA (FFSA) packing event held at the Durban International Convention Centre on Friday. The Mandela Day initiative met the target of packing 500 tons of food, the equivalent of two million meals for the FFSA network consisting of over 2,500 beneficiary organisations. This, in turn, would feed over 935,000 food-insecure individuals daily. These include orphans, vulnerable women and children, the elderly and frail, those suffering from disabilities and chronic diseases, at-risk youth and the homeless and indigent. Sunday Tribune partnered with FFSA for the Mandela Day activation. Some of the food packs will go towards one of the Daily News Milk Fund beneficiaries. In honour of Nelson Mandela, volunteers joined hands to help FFSA pack food items simultaneously at Nasrec in…

As the world paused to observe Mandela Day on Friday, we are reminded that this day, solemnly declared by the UN in 2009, stands not as a decorative event on the calendar but as a global summons to political and ethical conscience. Mandela Day was never meant to be reduced to a moment of philanthropy. It is a moral provocation. It demands reflection, honesty and action from all of us, particularly those who profess to walk in the shadows of the long and unfinished journey that began long before 1994. On February 11, 1990, President Nelson Mandela emerged from Victor Verster Prison with his fist raised high in the air, a gesture that immediately entered the symbolic archive of revolutionary imagery. It was not a sign of triumphalism. It was…

The global aid landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Once defined and dominated by Western institutions and priorities, this system is being reshaped by new actors, expectations and geopolitical realities. One of the most important and influential changes is the emergence of China as an alternative development provider, rewriting the way aid is conceived, delivered and valued in partnerships across the Global South. This change is not about replacing one model with another. Its significance runs deeper than that. Fundamentally, it is about alignment – realigning development co-operation and assistance provision to the needs and aspirations of the Global South and aligning global partnerships with the values and imperatives of promoting sustainability, equity and peace central to the sustainable development goals of the UN. For many decades, the rules and…

Arsenal sealed their controversial signing of Chelsea forward Noni Madueke in a deal worth a reported £48 million on Friday. Madueke agreed a five-year contract with the Gunners as he moved to the Emirates Stadium despite complaints from Arsenal fans. The 23-year-old will provide competition for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the flanks in Mikel Arteta's side. Madueke's switch across London, which could eventually exceed £52 million with performance-related add-ons, has sparked stinging criticism from supporters who believe he is not worth the price tag. A petition labelled 'No to Madueke' has attracted more than 5,000 signatures from Arsenal fans, while murals outside the Emirates were vandalised with 'Arteta out' slogans. Madueke left Chelsea's Club World Cup winning campaign in the United States last Friday to undergo his medical…

The suits at World Rugby no doubt watch Springbok games with one hand over an eye as they ask themselves, “What is Dr Erasmus going to prescribe to his players this time?” Often, Rassie’s dose is bitter pills for World Rugby, the rigid runners of the game. Boring old farts (former England captain Will Carling’s words, not mine) who cannot shrug their suspicion of anything outside the tried and tested tramlines of the game. The rabbits Rassie pulled out of the hat against Italy in Gqeberha are well-documented, and immediately, there was praise and uproar in equal measure around the rugby globe. Some hailed maverick Rassie for continuing to blaze new trails in the sport, while others branded the Boks cheats and disrespectful. Most of the negative reaction was typically…

We all dream of fame – the red carpets, the screaming fans, the luxurious lifestyle. But behind every glittering smile often lies a hidden battle with addiction. While the world sees the glamour, many celebrities silently fight demons that fame itself helped create. Not all that glitters is gold. This is clear from the countless stars who have spoken out about the entertainment industry’s darker side, whether through memoirs or candid interviews. Substance abuse runs rampant in the entertainment industry. The world of high-profile events and endless parties makes drugs and alcohol easily accessible, turning them into common coping mechanisms for stress, loneliness and performance anxiety. When celebrities speak openly about their struggles with addiction, they send a powerful message. Stars like Demi Moore, Bradley Cooper and Jessica Simpson have…

US President Donald Trump’s yo-yoing foreign policy continues to cause unprecedented ructions in international relations, with his sudden adoption of a hard stance against Russia the latest example of the dreaded unpredictability in diplomacy. One expert has likened President Trump’s cantankerous approach to foreign relations to a “monkey playing with a hand grenade”. In a typical flip-flop move this week, the US leader gave Russia 50 days to make a deal on ending the war with Ukraine or face 100% tariffs. In addition, Trump announced that he was immediately undertaking a programme to supply weapons to Nato for use in Ukraine at a cost of up to a trillion dollars. “America will manufacture and supply, and Nato will pay,” he said. Leading Nato member-states — the UK, France and Germany,…

AS leaders and media representatives from across the BRICS nations gathered in Rio de Janeiro for this year’s BRICS Media Forum, we found ourselves at a critical juncture in global media and geopolitics. With the recent expansion of BRICS to include Indonesia and 10 new partner countries under the BRICS+ framework, the forum signalled a deepening of collaboration, not just among governments and economies, but also across our most vital communications platforms. The forum’s guiding vision aligns with Brazil’s broader BRICS+ priorities for 2025: strengthening inclusion, enhancing South-South cooperation, and reforming global governance. In this context, the media plays an indispensable role in promoting dialogue, building trust, and safeguarding truth. With nearly half the world’s population represented by BRICS nations, the influence our media outlets hold in shaping narratives, challenging…

AT A recent Unisa event in Cape Town, a primary school teacher recounted the heartbreaking story of Shane (not real name) — an eight-year-old boy from a single-parent home that was ravaged by drug addiction — who was deemed a “troublemaker” at school. Like his older brother in the past year, little Shane would be gunned down in a gang crossfire while walking home from school. A mere two months ago, the nation was shaken by the brutal murder of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, who was found lying half-naked and unconscious on the staircase of his apartment complex. Also, just a year ago, eight-year-old Louqman Boonzaier’s arm was completely shattered after he was shot while playing outside his home in Lotus River, Cape Town. These stories are the makings of a…

SOUTH African citizens have had enough of poor service delivery, high levels of crime, corruption, unresponsive government, and public institutions; they believe that they have been taken for granted for too long. As a result, public trust and confidence in government and public institutions are at their lowest at present, experts say. A recent survey by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) revealed that South Africans’ trust in government institutions has declined, with the police recording 22%, the lowest since 1998. There is a trust deficit in almost all government institutions, including the Parliament. Professor Purshottama Reddy, a Public Governance expert from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, stated that the tolerance levels of the citizenry have reached their limit with compounded issues of poor municipal service delivery, notably load shedding, water…

As part of honouring the legacy of Nelson Mandela, Survè Philanthropies spent Mandela Day giving back to the communities of Athlone and Simon’s Town. In Athlone, the staff and trainees of Athlone’s Training Workshop Unlimited, a project of Cape Mental Health, were treated to a warm meal and drink. Training Workshops Unlimited provides skills and employment training to empower persons with intellectual disability to achieve their fullest potential. Madiga Ryklief, speaking for Survé Philanthropies, said they chose to work with Training Workshop Unlimited as many in the area are poverty-stricken, and disabled people are left on the periphery of society. Ryklief said that they decided to focus on uplifting the Athlone area because they’ve witnessed just how great the need is in the community with previous outreach efforts. Cape Mental…

THE narrative that dominates discussions of South Africa’s post-apartheid journey often converges on a single, critical point: the perceived failure of the ANC to deliver on its grand promises. This critique, amplified by commentators like Prince Mashele, frequently contrasts the present with a romanticised past, suggesting an era of pristine infrastructure and efficient governance under apartheid. But this flawed comparison does more than obscure the truth — it actively distorts it. In a widely circulated interview on the SMWX podcast, Mashele claimed that under apartheid, “there were no potholes on tar roads,” and that traffic lights always “worked.” He continued, asserting that infrastructural decay, non-functional robots and crumbling roads, is uniquely “an ANC thing.” This dangerously reductive view demonstrates selective amnesia. It is not merely a critique of governance, but…

Proteas all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy lauded the influence that his domestic coach and former Proteas all-rounder Robin Peterson has had on his international career. Muthusamy moved down to the Eastern Cape to join the Warriors, a side coached by Peterson himself, as the all-rounder looked to further develop his skills to stand a better chance of breaking into the national set-up. Though Muthusamy made his Test debut six years ago, he just hasn't been consistently getting game time. However, after spending a season with Peterson's Warriors in Gqeberha, Muthusamy finds himself now an all-format player, having received both his ODI and T20I caps as a Warriors player. With Peterson having been a spin-bowling all-rounder himself during his playing days, Muthusamy has found just the right coach to help him get to…

DESPITE the loss to New Zealand earlier this week, South Africa, across all three formats, is in a really good position with regard to the quality of the talent pool. Yes, the country has been rocked with sudden retirements, including that of Heinrich Klaasen recently; however, there are players in the system who have shown good signs. Currently, in the ongoing Tri-Series in Zimbabwe, Rubin Hermann has taken up space in the number four position in the batting order, and so has Dewald Brevis in the middle-order. At the top of the order, Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks as good as any of the top T20I opening batters in the world. Moreover, outside of the newbies in international cricket, Nandre Burger and Gerald Coetzee have returned from injury and immediately showed good…

THE Premier Soccer League has officially announced its nominees for the 2024/25 season, recognising the standout performers across all domestic competitions. From established stars to emerging talents, the nominees reflect the depth of quality in South African football. Here are our picks in each category — and why they deserve the accolade. Footballer of the Season: Lucas Ribeiro Costa (Mamelodi Sundowns) Costa was central to Sundowns’ undefeated league campaign. His creativity, consistent goal contributions, and intelligence in tight spaces made him the most feared attacker in the league. Whether linking play or finishing off moves, he was Sundowns’ difference-maker week in and week out — a deserving winner in every respect. Betway Premiership Coach of the Season: Miguel Cardoso (Mamelodi Sundowns) Taking over mid-season is tough. Going unbeaten while…

In 2001, the Cats rugby team was on a Super 12 tour in Australia. On the rowdy bus trip to a training session, something was said that annoyed Johan Ackermann. When the bus broke out in laughter at the offending remark, Ackermann quietly got up and walked to the front of the bus, took the microphone, and sternly said in Afrikaans: “Make a queue. I don’t want to go looking for anyone.” No one moved and the journey continued in reverent silence. That encapsulates the presence commanded by a giant who was mostly gentle, but not always ... And that reminds me of a Sharks training session I watched in 2005. The forwards were embroiled in a robust mauling session. Suddenly, there was a mighty bellow and from the centre…

Thomas Frank said he wanted to take Tottenham Hotspur to “new heights” during his first press conference on Friday as the club's manager. The 51-year-old Dane joined from Brentford after Spurs sacked Ange Postecoglou after the Australian guided Spurs to Europa League glory - their first major trophy in 17 years - but also presided over the club's worst top-flight campaign since 1976-77. But while Frank was generally upbeat about his desire to improve upon Spurs' dismal 17th-placed finish in the Premier League that included 22 defeats in 38 games, he made no guarantees over the future of Son Heung-min and was guarded concerning the club's pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White. He did confirm club skipper Son and vice-captain Cristian Romero, who have both been linked with a move away from…

Looking good doesn’t have to mean spending half your salary on beauty products. In fact, some of the most effortlessly chic people out there rely on smart habits, not expensive products. It’s all about knowing where to spend, where to save, and how to use what you already have in clever ways. If you’re trying to upgrade your beauty routine without draining your bank account, here’s how to look polished, confident, and put-together using affordable tricks that really work. Healthy skin comes first Great makeup starts with great skin. Instead of chasing the latest skincare trends, stick to the basics that actually matter. Cleanse gently, moisturise daily, and never skip sunscreen. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration and niacinamide for smooth, even skin. You can boost circulation and…

Jacob Zuma and his uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) have asked the Constitutional Court to halt the implementation of President Cyril Ramaphosa's response to the bombshell allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The former president and the MKP on Friday filed an urgent application at the apex court to declare invalid and inconsistent with the Constitution Ramaphosa's decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and appoint Prof Firoz Cachalia in an acting capacity as well as establish a commission of inquiry to be chaired by outgoing acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Zuma and the MKP also want the decisions to be declared invalid and set aside with immediate effect. They also want further and alternative appropriate, just and equitable remedies including, where necessary, interim relief maintaining…

A Democratic Alliance (DA) former deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, a certain Mr Andrew Whitfield, desperately wanted to go to the United States. By his own admission, he really wanted to inform the President of the Republic about this pressing desire. He was only disappointed by his email, which kept buffering. No matter. So pressing was the need, he couldn’t even take the Minister he reported to into confidence, nor share the imperatives of the trip, its objectives and possible outcomes. He just couldn’t wait, period. His interlocutors in the United States were waiting. His political instincts too, convinced him and his party that the fate of the Republic of South Africa depended on him going to Washington DC, He could not let something so insignificant as breaking…

The Freedom From Poverty Bill, introduced by the Institution of Race Relations (IRR) as a replacement for the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and the Employment Equity Act (EEA), has been met with mixed views. Under the bill, there is Economic Empowerment for the Disadvantaged (EED), which is codified as an alternative to BEE and a proposal for true transformation, as it will be based on need, not race. It was launched this week as part of the #WhatSACanBe campaign in a webinar discussion between IRR Head of Policy, Dr Anthea Jeffery, and IRR Strategic Engagements Manager, Makone Maja. The BEE aims to correct past inequalities and is governed by the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act. Its application is limited to people who are black, of mixed race, and Indian, and…

Speakers were at a loss for words on how to describe Nelson Mandela to future generations during the Nelson Mandela 8th Annual Lecture, held in India, on Friday. The lecture was organised by the India International Centre, South African High Commission and the Working Group on Alternative Strategies. The Nelson Mandela International Day 2025 was celebrated under the theme: It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity. Sedula Mamabolo, Counsellor at the South African High Commission in New Delhi, said the theme is a call to action that reminds us that Mandela's legacy is not confined to history. “It is a living challenge to each one of us. Mandela was not only a statesman but a symbol of ethical resistance. A man who taught us that reconciliation is…

IN A recent interview, political analyst and commentator, Prince Mashele, launched a series of explosive allegations against President Cyril Ramaphosa, insinuating that the President was a “criminal who is going to be arrested at some point”. At the heart of Mashele’s claims was the assertion that Ramaphosa and suspended Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, who is embroiled in allegations of corruption, are “partners in crime”. Mashele also opined that the President’s hesitancy to remove Mchunu outright, opting instead for suspension, demonstrated a disturbing type of complicity. The insinuation is that Ramaphosa, rather than taking decisive action against corruption, is safeguarding his allies within a deeply entrenched system for fear of being arrested in the future. The allegations extend beyond a few individuals, revealing a troubling trend within the ANC. Mashele’s…

FORMER EFF politician Mbuyiseni Ndlozi argues that a president cannot find anyone guilty, advocating instead for proper judicial commissions of inquiry, led by a judge, with strict timelines. He deems this “proper” for a democracy. However, the subsequent analysis of South African commissions reveals how they often fall short of this ideal, instead perpetuating systemic violence and delaying justice. The Commissions Act, 1947 (Act No 8 of 1947), used for inquiries such as the Zondo Commission on State Capture, originated under British colonial rule. This embedded a legalistic façade for systemic violence. It enabled apartheid-era inquiries, such as the Hefer Commission (2003) and Donen Commission (2002), which probed “financial irregularities” while ignoring suffering under racial capitalism. Commissions ritually harvest victim trauma while withholding redress. The Marikana Commission (2012) gathered 641…

South Africans live in hope. For seven nerve-wracking days, they waited patiently for President Cyril Ramaphosa to address them on one of the most pressing crises the country has faced since 1994. A week earlier, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi had placed the entire criminal justice system on trial. Mkhwanazi implicated the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, top brass, correctional services, senior politicians and members of the judiciary in an intricate web of crime syndicates and drug cartels. The allegations put the country on the knife-edge. This is the stuff that collapses governments. When Ramaphosa finally faced the nation, the address was characteristically and predictably underwhelming. All opposition parties took potshots at Ramaphosa. Those who were disappointed in Ramaphosa’s utterances have themselves to blame. First, Ramaphosa is not a man of…

Kenya is going through turbulent times. In less than a month, the country has seen two rounds of youth-led anti-government protests on June 25 and July 7. The first wave of protests, concentrated mainly in the capital, Nairobi, was a commemoration of the deadly June 2024 protests in which young people thronged the streets to express their disapproval of a government-proposed bill to increase taxes. About 60 protesters lost their lives, and scores of others were injured, largely due to a heavy-handed police response. The protests were effective as the bill was withdrawn, and President William Ruto dismissed his cabinet en masse. The issues at the centre of this year’s June protests included police brutality, human rights abuses and government corruption, with some of the protesters calling for the president’s…

Aitana Bonmati said that she is back to her best after starring in Friday's 2-0 win over hosts Switzerland which took Spain into the semi-finals of Women's Euro 2025. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati was named player of the match in Bern in her second start at the tournament after recovering from a bout of viral meningitis which briefly threatened her chances of playing in the Euros. “Yeah, today I felt 100 percent physically. It was an intense 90 minutes, what I'm used to doing, so I'm happy,” Bonmati told reporters. “I didn't know if the meningitis would be a problem for the whole tournament, I worked hard to be ready as soon as I could and now I have my reward.” Bonmati played the pass from which Athenea del…

THE Premier Soccer League’s Chairman Irvin ‘Iron Duke’ Khoza and his executive committee find themselves trapped in a catch-22 situation while ratifying the sale of SuperSport United to Siwelele FC. SuperSport International has confirmed the sale, but final approval from the PSL is required. The PSL has yet to release a statement regarding the transaction, a silence that is in keeping with their traditional approach of keeping such matters under wraps. Historically, the executive committee, led by chairman Irvin 'Iron Duke' Khoza, prefers to manage these situations in the boardroom. Very likely, they will communicate directly with the buyer and seller rather than providing public updates. The catch-22 situation arises because of two factors. Gayton McKenzie's son owns Siwelele, and the Premiership must have at least 16 teams. If the…

THE unanticipated, if not shock results of both recent Wimbledon Womens and Mens Singles Finals have brought a slew of long simmering issues, regarding tennis, right back to boiling point: Under the constant scrutiny of GOATS Billie Jean King & Martina Navratilova, omnipresent at most of the majors and circling like hawks to ensure a level playing field, be it female umpires and commentators presiding over Mens games, or Women’s matches being scheduled for Centre Court prime time to the same extent as Men, not to mention equal prize money etc, rooting out sexism has been top of the agenda. However the 6-0, 6-0, drubbing dished out to American, Amanda Anisimova by World No 2, Iga Swiatek, which took 57 minutes- the same amount of time it took Jannik Sinner…