Table of contents for 2021-06-25 in DFA News

Sandi Kwon Hoo chief reporter THE JEWISH section at West End Cemetery has been vandalised with the devil’s fork and palisade fencing surrounding the graves having been stolen while a section of the roof of the storeroom was also ripped off along with its rafters. The caretaker Booi Roman De Voss stated that he was in possession of several name boards that were stolen from the public section of West End cemetery that were discarded in the Jewish graveyard. “The metal attachments were broken off and sold. It is heartbreaking because the families of the deceased now have no way of identifying where their loved ones are buried. At least two of the name boards belong to the graves of a child and woman who were recently buried.” He indicated…

Opinion By Ben Bierman A YEAR ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that by July this year, South African businesses would be required to put necessary measures in place to become compliant with the new Protection of Personal Information (Popi) Act. The act is to ensure better data and security management as well as accountability on how businesses use public data, bringing South Africa’s privacy laws in line with international standards. It will also limit how companies use and store data such as customer e-mail addresses (which might have historically been used for direct sales leads or dissemination of company newsletters). Necessity Popi promotes the protection of personal information across the public and private sector. Historically, laws on the use of personal details were less stringent. With data breaches on…

opinion Lance Fredericks I WAS doing some light reading this past week and learned some pretty interesting facts. For one thing, it was fascinating to learn why scuba divers throw themselves backwards off a boat. I had always wondered about this, but apparently they do it because if they fall forwards, they would land on their faces in the boat. I also learned that there are two reasons why you should never drink water out of your toilet bowl. They are ‘number one’ and ‘number two’. Then, while you are recovering from that one, I was reminded of the riddle that had me stumped from kindergarten till I reached high school. What kind of rocks do you never find under water? The answer ... dry ones! Sigh, I also learned this…

Clinton Moodley staff writer SOUTH Africans waiting patiently for their vaccine now have the option of getting one in Zimbabwe. According to Travel News, Healthpoint Hospital in Harare would privately administer the vaccine to foreign tourists for $100(R1 425). Travellers will receive two doses of the vaccine, which would either be Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines from China. Peter Annesley, the owner of Healthpoint Hospital, who spoke with Travel News, said South African travellers were already visiting the country for their vaccine. He said that people who wanted to be vaccinated needed to contact Healthpoint Hospital before their arrival to ensure that stock was available for their first and second vaccine dates. He said travellers will take their first and second vaccine doses two weeks apart. Annesley told the…

Dave Alexander Sports Reporter THE TAFEL Lager Griquas will be ‘visiting’ at home when they host neighbours the Toyota Cheetahs in their second match of the Carling Currie Cup competition at Tafel Lager Park. The match kicks off at 1pm tomorrow. It was confirmed that Griquas recently sold their headquarters to the Sol Plaatje University. CEO of Griqua Rugby, Arni van Rooyen said the transfer should be finalised during the following three weeks. “It does not make financial sense to hang on to the stadium as the maintenance costs are exorbitant,” Van Rooyen told the DFA. “We will just hire it from the varsity and everything will continue to run as normal. “Most of the other rugby unions have also got rid of their stadia but this has no bearing…

FORMULA One champions Mercedes have licked their wounds, looked at what went wrong and promised to come out fighting in Austria this weekend after three painful defeats in a row to leaders Red Bull. The Red Bull Ring, as the name suggests, is a home from home for the energy drink company’s Honda-powered team, but Mercedes won both races there last season with Valtteri Bottas and now seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. “Austria has been a tricky circuit for us in past seasons, but we went well there last year,” said team boss Toto Wolff after Hamilton lost out to Red Bull’s overall leader Max Verstappen at last Sunday’s French Grand Prix. “We know the situation is very different this season, though. It’s a very quick lap and a short…

Zaahier Adams in Cape Town Every successful Test captain throughout the storied history of the longest version of the game has been able to call on an impressive fast bowling unit. Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards had the legendary West Indies quartets at their disposal, while the Australian leaders Mark Taylor and Ricky Ponting had some of the world’s best head-hunters leading the Baggy Green’s attack during their golden era. Closer to home Graeme Smith was able to press on the buttons of South African fast bowling greats Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Morné Morkel in addition to the all-round skills of Jacques Kallis during the Proteas’ march to the ICC World No.1 Test mace – much like New Zealand’s Kane Williamson now has the luxury of a classy attack that…

Boipelo Mere staff reporter THE SAPS in the Northern Cape are requesting the public to adhere to safety tips to protect them against scams and fraudulent e-mails and messages that promise them large sums of money or great prizes. Police spokesperson Captain Sergio Kock urged the public to be careful and delete such messages if they did not enter any competition. A warning was also issued to the community to be careful of investing or giving money to persons who claim they can make you more money. “These criminals are especially targeting people receiving retirement lump sums and large amounts of insurance cash. “Never respond to e-mails or cellphone messages appearing to be from your bank, which request your personal details. “Remember that no bank will ever ask you to…

Sandi Kwon Hoo chief reporter THE DEPARTMENT of Correctional Services has suspended all visits to correctional facilities and remand detention centres across the country in line with the adjusted alert level 3 restrictions. Spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Sechaba Mphahlele said this measure was taken to protect officials and inmates against the Covid-19 pandemic. “The Department of Correctional Services has been implementing restrictions and adhering to all regulations to mitigate against the spread of Covid-19. “As of June 20, the total number of active Covid-19 cases in the DCS amounts to 256, comprising of 224 officials and 33 inmates. The total cumulative positive cases is 12 202, (7 711 officials and 4 491 inmates). The number of deaths are 258 (180 officials and 78 inmates).” Mphahlele added…

Boipelo Mere STAFF REPORTER THE FORENSIC Pathology Service in the Province agreed to continue to work extra hours after the MEC of Health, Maruping Lekwene called an urgent meeting on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by the MEC, Hospersa, acting HOD Riaan Strydom, Head of Ministry Lorato Moleleki and senior management in the department. It is believed that the threat by pathologists to stop working after hours triggered Tuesday’s meeting where they were finally given a hearing by the MEC of Health. The pathologists marched to the MEC’s offices on Monday where they planned to hand their memorandum of grievances to the MEC. This was their second attempt to get the attention of the MEC after they were turned back on 14 June. On Monday they were reportedly told that…

Air valves will be installed on 14 points on the mainline that runs from the Midlands Boipelo Mere staff reporter KIMBERLEY residents yesterday indicated that they are ready for this weekend’s water shutdown. They also gave the municipality a thumbs up for thorough communication regarding the interruptions scheduled from last night until Sunday night. Water outlets throughout the city did experience an influx of clients yesterday after lunchtime as residents started stocking up on drinking water. In preparation the Sol Plaatje Municipality closed off the road from the corner of Jacobus Smit Avenue until the T-Junction at Reservoir Road on Wednesday night to allow municipal water trucks to fill up at the Newton Reservoir. The water trucks will be used to fill Jojo tanks that were placed at various locations…

Sandi Kwon Hoo Chief Reporter NORTHERN CAPE premier, Dr Zamani Saul said the budget of R273,3 million that was allocated to his office for the 2020/21 financial year would be revised downwards to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. “We are busy reviewing our plans to incorporate Covid-19 interventions and will align them with the special budget adjustments and re-table the plans in August this year.” Delivering the budget speech, he stated that the national lockdown had brought about the need to work with technology and through virtual platforms. “We have secured 500 Microsoft team licenses to use at no charge for six months. “The deployment and training on this new platform has started in most provincial government departments ensuring the continuity of work in various environments, be it strategy, oversight or…

Cristiano Ronaldo equalled the all-time international scoring record with his 109th goal for Portugal as the reigning champions scraped into the last 16 of Euro 2020 on Wednesday along with Germany and Spain. The Portugal captain netted a pair of penalties in a 2-2 draw with world champions France in Budapest to send his team through as one of the four best third-placed sides on a dramatic night in Group F. Germany needed an 84th-minute equaliser from Leon Goretzka to rescue a nervy 2-2 draw with Hungary in Munich, setting up a heavyweight showdown with England at Wembley next week. The 36-year-old Ronaldo gave Portugal the lead just after the half-hour mark with his first spot-kick, before France hit back through Karim Benzema’s two goals either side of half-time. But,…

Sandi Kwon Hoo chief reporter THE PUBLIC Servants Association (PSA) has called for an investigation into the appointment of a Grade 9 educator at Saul Damon Secondary School in Upington who does not have any teaching qualifications or experience. PSA provincial manager Steve Ledibane said the educator was formerly employed as an HR official at the Department of Education in the ZF Mgcawu district. “Her husband is a deputy director at the same district office. The Department of Education must investigate any undue influence that was used in her appointment. If she was head-hunted for the position the department must disclose what scarce skills she possesses.” He stated that the educator resigned from her position at the district offices on April 30 and was appointed the following day on May…

Benida Phillips staff reporter DESPITE 41 educators and support staff in the Northern Cape having already died from Covid-19 thus far, the roll-out of the vaccination of educators in the Province started on a smooth note. The Department of Education said a total of 735 vaccinations were done on the first day of the roll-out. Teachers in Frances Baard district yesterday queued at the Newton Primary School in Kimberley to get their Johnson and Johnson jab. Some teachers indicated that they felt taking the vaccination was the responsible thing to do as they not only want to protect themselves but also those around them. A teacher from Kgabang Primary School in Ritchie, Yoliswa Jiya described the entire process as painless. “We came to Kimberley early this morning and waited patiently…

Sandi Kwon Hoo chief reporter THE KIMBERLEY police are investigating a case of fraud after an amount of about R11 000 was allegedly withdrawn from the bank account of a local resident without her permission. Motlalepule Mothobela stated that the money was withdrawn from her Capitec account on June 15, at a time when she was unable to access Internet services on her banking app. “I am prepared to sleep at the bank until my money is paid back because I need to pay rent and settle my bills and I do not have any funds. The bank advised me to wait eight working days and during this time I have been left destitute. I was informed that chances of being reimbursed are slim.” She added that she had opened…

Staff Reporter THURSDAY NIGHT: Switch off Riverton, Newton and Drain the system empty (12 hours). FRIDAY: Commence with repair works at various sites (24 hours). Resources have been lined up accordingly. SATURDAY: Complete repairs, and recommission (12 hours). SUNDAY: Water is restored. SITES AND ACTIVITIES 965 Bulk Pipe line: 15 Work Sites 8 sites for leaks 7 sites for valves (scourer and air valves sets) 600 Bulk Pipe line: 13 Work Sites 3 sites for leaks 10 sites for valves (scourer and air valves sets) TOTAL: 28 Work Sites TEAMS: 6 contractors and 4 internal teams SUPPLY ARRANGEMENTS Water tanks were placed at strategic areas around the city yesterday morning. 22 water tankers will refill them continuously, per ward cluster. There will be five tankers dedicated to…

Sandi Kwon Hoo CHIEF REPORTER DA CHIEF whip at Dawid Kruiper municipality Flip van der Steen said services were grinding to a halt due to the municipal fleet that was awaiting repairs and maintenance. He indicated that there was a huge backlog of over 500 requisitions waiting to be sanctioned, with about 20 outstanding job cards per mechanic. “The mechanics cannot complete jobs because they are waiting on parts.” He said a R5 million compactor that was purchased last year, had been parked at the rubbish dumps for the past month. “A requisition for parts was submitted on February 24 although the vehicle cannot be serviced until supply chain management (SCM) issues are resolved. The requisition has apparently received its third level of approval, but a total of six approvals…

Eshlin Vedan in Durban Kaizer Chiefs fans will do well to keep that champagne on ice ahead of this weekend’s second leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final against Wydad Casablanca. Undoubtedly, the Glamour Boys did fantastically well to beat Wydad away from home and they deserve praise for that. But that shock victory was mainly thanks to goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma who delivered the greatest performance of his career in the game. There is no doubt that the away team will once again be looking to test the Chiefs shot-stopper at the FNB Stadium tomorrow and it would be unrealistic for the club to expect heroics from him in every game. Should Chiefs win the Champions League despite their poor league form, it will not be the first time something…