Table of contents for 2022-02-11 in DFA News

Sandi Kwon Hoo sandi.kwonhoo@inl.co.za MEMBERS of the United Community of Sol Plaatje Municipality (UCSPM) and the Kimberley Action Group (KAG) held a picket outside Sol Plaatje Municipality yesterday, calling for action to be taken against senior officials implicated in acts of sexual harassment. The community members, who stood holding placards outside the municipality, demanded that their memorandum be accepted by Sol Plaatje executive mayor Kagisho Sonyoni. Letters were addressed to Sonyoni on January 6, requesting the mayor to meet with the community groups. “The mayor must come and listen to us, as well as the perpetrators. If they don’t come out, we will go into their offices, as the municipality is a public building,” they stated. Sonyoni was, however, not available to accept the memorandum and the municipal manager, Goolam…

Benida Phillips benida.phillips@inl.co.za A 27-YEAR-old Roodepan man was arrested after he was found in possession of a firearm that was reported stolen. Police spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana said the suspect was arrested after the police received a tip-off. “The Kimberley K9 unit, together with the Northern Cape Provincial Organised Crime detectives, busted the suspect on February 9, 2022, after police members acted promptly subsequent to receiving a tip-off regarding a man who was in possession of a firearm at Eileen Court in Roodepan, Kimberley,” said Tawana. “Police obtained a search warrant to search the suspect’s residence. During the search, a firearm was found hidden inside the suspect’s home. The suspect was charged with the illegal possession of a firearm.”…

Zelda Venter zelda.venter@inl.co.za Pretoria News THE outdated law that gave the children of married couples more rights than those of unmarried couples has been declared unconstitutional. The groundbreaking judgment for children’s rights was made by the high court in Johannesburg. Under the ruling, the Mediation in Certain Divorce Matters Act of 1987 is unconstitutional. This act relates to the process of approaching the Office of the Family Advocate in family disputes involving children. In most matters involving children the courts will require a report from the Family Advocate to ascertain what is in the best interest of the children, before the court makes a ruling that affects the children. Under the outdated act, married couples simply submitted the required form to the Office of the Family Advocate, which would then conduct…

António Guterres AS SECRETARY-General of the United Nations, I spend much of my time speaking with world leaders and taking the pulse of global trends. It’s clear to me that we are at a defining moment in international relations. Global decision making is plagued by gridlock – and a fundamental paradox lies at the heart of it. On the one hand, many of today’s global leaders recognize our common threats – Covid, climate, the unregulated development of new technologies. They agree that something needs to be done about them. Yet that common understanding is not matched by common action. Indeed, divides keep deepening. We see them everywhere: in the unfair and unequal distribution of vaccines; in a global economic system rigged against the poor; in the utterly inadequate…

Mwangi Githahu mwangi.githahu@inl.co.za Cape Argus No sooner had Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi announced a R1.50 increase in the national minimum wage (NMW) for farmworkers, than the farming organisation Agri SA issued a statement saying it feared that the increase would affect profits. Minister Nxesi announced that the NMW for each ordinary hour worked had been increased from R21.69 to R23.19 for the year 2022 and that this would be effected from March 1. The increase also includes domestic workers. Following the announcement, Agri SA executive director Christo van der Rheede said it was vital to stress that the alleviation of poverty does not solely rely on the increase in wages but should be designed in a way to supplement and reinforce other social and employment policies. “Without an enabling…

Sandi Kwon Hoo sandi.kwonhoo@inl.co.za RENOSTERBERG municipal workers booed Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul while he was addressing a Cosatu provincial conference on Wednesday. SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) provincial secretary Lawrence Fernie said yesterday that the municipal workers have not received their salaries for the past three months. “Workers in Philipstown, Vanderkloof and Petrusville have withdrawn their labour and there are currently no services being rendered. Rubbish is not being collected and workers cannot do their jobs as the vehicles have no fuel. This is after Eskom froze the municipal bank account due to non-payment,” said Fernie. He stated that they wish to join a court process to unfreeze a portion of Renosterberg Municipality’s bank account to allow salaries to be paid. “Workers worked throughout November, December and January…

Chad Williams African News Agency (ANA) Following their victory at this year's African Cup of Nations (Afcon), Senegal has rewarded each member of the national football team with cash prizes and plots of land. According to sports website ESPN Africa, the squad returned to Dakar on Monday and were received at the Palace of the Republique on Tuesday when, during an extended ceremony of celebration, President Sall announced the squad's fiscal rewards, giving each player the prestigious Order of the Lion, the website reported. Sadio Mane scored the winning spot kick – after missing one in the opening minutes of the game – as Senegal claimed their first Africa Cup of Nations title with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over seven-time winners Egypt on Sunday. According to BBC News Africa,…

Wynona Louw in Cape Town STORMERS captain Steven Kitshoff is expecting another big scrum challenge in their United Rugby Championship match against the Lions at Ellis Park tomorrow (3pm kickoff). The last time these teams met, the Lions thumped the hosts 37-19 at Cape Town Stadium in early December. The Stormers are, however, clear favourites going into this encounter, given their run of results in the local derbies this year. While they were completely out-scrummed by the Sharks at Kings Park a fortnight ago, the Stormers’ pack looked much steadier in the return match in Cape Town last weekend. Speaking during a media briefing this week, Kitshoff said they want to continue improving against the Joburgers. “I think the Lions have got an incredible scrum pack. They have been doing…

Sandi Kwon Hoo sandi.kwonhoo@inl.co.za AMBULANCES in the city were grounded this week after petrol cards were stopped and Department of Health vehicles were unable to refuel. Arrangements were made to supply ambulances with petrol on credit, although it was indicated that garages would have a limit on how much fuel would be provided on credit. “Ambulances are filled on average twice per shift and we were unable to travel long distances to collect patients as arrangements could apparently only be made in Kimberley to fill up on credit,” ambulance workers stated. “No notices were issued and we were repeatedly told at the petrol pumps that the cards were declined. Some emergency services workers were unable to travel back and had to stay overnight at guest houses as they were unable…

Lance Fredericks THAT’S it! I have had enough. The pandemic, masking, sanitising, travel restrictions, curfews, waves, vaccines … and masks again are driving me up the wall and across the neighbour’s driveway. There are so many bad things that the ‘rona-circus’ brought to town; too many to mention. But one thing that gets my goat is the fact that Covid will creep into every single conversation … even our small talk. What concerns me is that when you get into one group, the topic of vaccinations always comes up. One perspective is touted as the only truth, but come into the other company and the exact opposite view is considered the only valid angle. The vaccinated point accusingly at the unvaccinated and the anti-vaxxers are pointing back – it’s just…

Kailene Pillay kailene.pillay@inl.co.za Political Bureau ADVOCATE Dali Mpofu has spoken out against the recent public attack on his conduct at the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) interviews, saying that if he and others “kept quiet” the entire judiciary could have been captured. Mpofu broke his silence when he interacted with more than 2,000 listeners in a two-hour Twitter Space conversation hosted by #MrTshweuSpaces, a current affairs show, on Thursday morning. Mpofu has been criticised for his conduct during the JSC interviews last week, with some groups calling for his removal from the JSC panel. There was also a scathing opinion piece written and published by Media24 editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson on February 7. It referred to Mpofu as a “nincompoop” and “scoundrel”. However, following Basson’s article, a group of 20 black lawyers and…

Sandi Kwon Hoo sandi.kwonhoo@inl.co.za SECURITY concerns have been raised at correctional facilities in the city after prison warders were issued with suspension letters. Emergency support team security personnel were stationed at Kimberley Correctional Centre yesterday to prevent the suspended officials from “trespassing” on the Kimberley Correctional Centre and Tswelopele Correctional Centre grounds, where the police were apparently also called in to intervene. The suspension letters were issued after the warders continued to report for duty at Kimberley Correctional Centre after they were transferred to Tswelopele Correctional Centre. Officials meanwhile claimed that they were being bullied, victimised and intimidated by senior officials in the department, and believed that they were being targeted and were the victims of a witch-hunt. “Some of us are shop stewards or officials who blew the whistle…

Thabo Makwakwa thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za Daily News Branches of the ANC have thrown their support behind Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu ahead of her appearance before the party’s integrity commission and called for Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo to stay in his lane. Zondo has been the subject of criticism from various organisations and members of the public who felt that he had abused his power in campaigning for the position of chief justice. Last month, Zondo held a press briefing calling for president Cyril Ramaphosa to discipline Sisulu after she wrote an article in which she expressed disappointment on several issues, including the lack of transformation in the judiciary, and that it had done little or nothing for the victims of colonialism but deepened the rise to “a sea of poverty”. Sisulu…

Mihlali Baleka MAMELODI Sundowns co-coach Manqoba Mngqithi feels that how mistakes are punished is what separates the domestic league from continental football. Sundowns have been in cruise mode in the Premiership. They are at the top of the log with 47 points, 17 ahead of the second-placed Orlando Pirates. They also reached the Nedbank Cup last-16 after beating Richards Bay 4-0 last Friday. However, they’ll turn their focus to the opening round of the CAF Champions League group stage when they host Al Hilal at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium tonight (6pm kick-off). But do not expect the Brazilians to take this match for granted, though. Firing on all cylinders in domestic football – after scoring 35 goals and conceding nine in the league – notwithstanding, Africa is a jungle. And…

Matthew Marcus in Cape Town LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp couldn’t have asked for a better Afcon. His two star players – Mo Salah and Sadio Mané – went toe-to-toe in the final and their rivalry was pretty much the story of the tournament. We all know that Mané and Senegal prevailed in the penalty shootout. But there’s more … The two African aces will ‘pak mekaar aan’ once more for a place at the World Cup in next month’s Caf play-offs. While many people think this may have a detrimental effect on the Reds’ attack, I can only imagine that this will sharpen them up even more. Before diving into Salah vs Mane or Salah x Mane – whichever way you see it – I just want to clear up…

Ashfak Mohamed WILL the real Bulls backline stand up against the Sharks in tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship showdown at Loftus? The Pretoria team’s attacking threats have had only fleeting moments where things have gone right in their recent United Rugby Championship games against the Stormers and Lions (twice), but they have yet to hit the heights that saw them win the Currie Cup on two occasions last year. In the 30-26 loss to the Stormers, the Bulls were 18-0 down in the first half, and their comeback was sparked by a maul try. Flyhalf Morné Steyn was involved in the two tries after that, and Elrigh Louw barged his way from close range to set up a 26-18 lead, although the Cape side hit back late to emerge victorious. Rain…

Se-Anne Rall se-anne.koopman@inl.co.za IOL YOU CAN now pay for your licence renewal online. The Road Traffic Management Corporation this week announced the launch of the new feature on the Natis online booking system. According to the RTMC, this new development is designed to enhance online renewals and bookings to create a seamless booking experience when using online booking services. RTMC spokesperson, Simon Zwane, said these developments form part of measures designed in response to the Covid-19 virus outbreak, where government has imposed strict regulations to curb the spread by encouraging members of the public to avoid crowded areas and maintain social distancing. He said the absence of online payments made it impossible for South Africans to renew their licences without physically going to DLTCs. "The introduction of online payments means that…

Boipelo Mere boipelo.mere@inl.co.za A COMMUNITY meeting took place at the Galeshewe Circle on Wednesday afternoon, following the alleged assault of two Nigerians, who were accused of selling drugs, by members of a community crime-fighting organisation. The house of an Operation Wanya Tsotsi (OWT) member was apparently vandalised in an “act of revenge” by Nigerian nationals on Tuesday night. Tyres were burned and the police arrived to monitor the situation on Wednesday. A number of the Galeshewe community members who were present at the meeting pledged to “clean their streets” of drugs and illegal activities. One of the victims of the alleged assault was admitted to the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital intensive care unit. Meanwhile, the occupants of the Galeshewe house, including children, reportedly had to undergo trauma counselling following Tuesday…

Boipelo Mere boipelo.mere@inl.co.za THE NORTHERN Cape vineyard belt has created more jobs for the 2021/22 production season as grape production rises to greater heights. With the harvesting and drying of grapes season under way, South Africa is forecasting a crop of 78,000 tons of marketable raisin grapes for the 2021/22 production season, of which a remarkable 90% is grown in the Northern Cape. The Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform noted that the past 2020/21 season saw a sharp decrease of 16% due to unfavourable weather conditions last year. More than 30,000 people work full-time in the South African raisin industry, in the Orange River Valley Vineyard belt. An employment peak of 30,000 to 35,000 seasonal workers was experienced during the harvesting and drying…

Sandi Kwon Hoo sandi.kwonhoo@inl.co.za THE CASH-strapped Phokwane Local Municipality apparently paid R866 000 to a media company for adverts and to publish a Christmas message from the mayor. According to bank statements and invoices, the municipality processed a payment of R866 000 to Tabea Media on January 6. On December 1, 2021, the municipality was issued an invoice by Tabea Media for R27 500 for a full-page advert for the cancellation of a tender. On January 3, another invoice for R27 000 was sent for a half-page colour advert for the mayoral Christmas message, while an invoice for R582 000 was sent for a 39-centimetre by 4 column advert in the Sunday Times on January 3. Tabea Media invoiced a payment of R229 500 for an advert for eight full-colour…

Sandi Kwon Hoo sandi.kwonhoo@inl.co.za MEMBERS of the neighbourhood watch in Roodepan/Homevale intend to take occupation of the vacant Homevale fire station that is being stripped of its building materials. HQuad neighbourhood watch secretary Fernando Visagie said they had assisted in the arrest of nine suspects this week after the Homevale fire station and the medical practice in Barkly Road were vandalised. “The perimeter lights, biometric access control devices and electrical cables were stolen from the fire station,” said Visagie. “If this white elephant is not going to be utilised, we will use it for our development projects, because it is currently being brazenly ripped apart by vandals. “There is no alarm or security on site and it will cost the municipality more in replacing all the stolen materials than what…

Neville Motlhabakwe POSTMASBURG team Northern Cape Professionals (NC Pros) arrived in Kimberley late on Wednesday afternoon well ahead of tomorrow’s crucial knockout game against the Free State’s Mathaithai as they prepare for an eliminator in the Nedbank Cup competition. NC Pros have this season earned themselves a second bite at the annual Nedbank Cup competition’s last 32 knockout stage and have an appointment at Tafel Lager Park against their fellow ABC Motsepe league team from Bloemfontein. Team coach Robert Sebastian and his charges were last in the running for the competition honours in 2019. At that time they were eliminated from the last 32 phase of the competition by National First Division side Mbombela United at their home in Mbombela. Sebastian said he was keen on winning the match against…

Staff Reporter SOUTHAMPTON’S Saints are out to give the Red Devils of Manchester United hell in their 2.30pm Premier League clash tomorrow. The Saints are on a high after stunning Tottenham 3-2 at home in their midweek fixture and they want to repeat the trick against an out-of-sorts United at Old Trafford. Ralf Rangnick’s hosts just can’t put a game together at the moment, having been knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties by Championship side Middlesbrough and playing to a 1-1 league draw at bottom club Burnley in midweek. Captain Harry Maguire is back to making costly defensive errors and Cristiano Ronaldo is on his longest goal drought since 2010. Ronaldo’s five-game scoreless streak comes with United’s race for a top-four finish losing momentum, starting last night in…

Smiso Msomi TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi believes his club is one of Kaizer Chiefs’ biggest rivals in local football. The Rockets will round off a host of Nedbank Cup fixtures tomorrow with a 6pm kick-off against the mighty Amakhosi at the FNB Stadium. Sukazi has declared Chiefs as one of his side’s biggest enemies if one is to consider the events of the last time the two sides locked horns in the Nedbank Cup. The Rockets beat Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup in 2018 whilst they were still playing in the lower division under coach Dan Malesela. “The football gods decided that the results of the 2019 final deem us eternal rivals,” Sukazi said yesterday. “We also understand that the country will be divided into two on Saturday, Chiefs…