Table of contents for 2024-03-13 in Post

Aurets is a healer, psychic medium, intuitive mentor, masseuse and regression therapist. She also teaches meditation and breath work. She is passionate about holistic care and offers a small range of holistic products. Aurets practises in the Upper Highway, KZN. Find her on https://www.facebook.com/healing 1920. Contact her at 079 356 4657 or theeternalbreath@gmail.com ARIES (March 21 – April 19) Embrace life’s wild side. Step out of civilised pace, allowing inner expressions of adventure and freedom. Connect to nature, restoring your zest for life. Acknowledge your dreams, especially when animals appear, blessing you with gifts. Magic number: 3. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Assess what’s hidden from others based on fear. What you hide, fearing retaliation, may be the very thing for which you are celebrated. Embrace your…

Kareena Kapoor Khan has spoken out about how beauty has seen a shift and how she cannot relate when she sees herself with filters. Khan said: “I think now there is an entire shift to beauty and rawness. I like the fact that there are little lines on my face. I can’t relate when I see myself with filters and edits. “I’m the first one to say that I am not putting on make-up, and I have been like that right from Chameli, Refugee and Dev.” She shared an anecdote from her 2004 film Dev. “In Dev, I had oil in my hair. We can’t try and stay at a particular age. I am so happy that I don’t want to be 20 anymore.”…

Shaaitan is a rollercoaster ride of supernatural thrills and chills, drawing inspiration from the Gujarati flick Vash. With a star-studded cast, including Ajay Devgn, Jyothika and R Madhavan, this remake delivers a spine-tingling experience like no other. Madhavan’s performance is so bone-chillingly good that it left his own wife seeing him in a whole new light. But let's not forget the breakout star Janki Bodiwala, whose portrayal of the possessed character adds a whole new level of creepy to the mix. The storyline is a real nail-biter, keeping you glued to your seat with its mix of suspense, mystery and otherworldly encounters. However, fair warning: if you're not a fan of things that go bump in the night, you might want to watch this one with the lights on and…

THE rise of social media and digital communication channels has facilitated the spread of cyberbullying with platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Snapchat and gaming chatrooms serving as rife breeding grounds for perpetrators to launch their attacks. Cyberbullying and cyberstalking are defined as the repeated and intentional use of electronic communications to humiliate, intimidate, harass, frighten or threaten another person. Our youth are increasingly exposed to tools and apps that make it easy for them to produce fake videos or manipulate photos, create memes and or use text to engage in cyberbullying. Adolescents and teenagers are particularly vulnerable, with incidents ranging from online harassment to the malicious sharing of private information or images without their consent. The anonymity afforded by the internet supports perpetrators, exacerbating this problem even…

Wash the chicken pieces meticulously. Marinate the chicken thoroughly. For optimal results, refrigerate the marinated chicken for a minimum of three hours or overnight. Step 1: Chicken marination 500g boneless chicken thighs or breasts 150g plain yoghurt 1 tbs lemon juice 1 tsp salt ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp garam masala 1 tsp dhania/jeera powder 2 tsp Kashmiri masala 1 tsp kasuri methi (dried fenugreek) 1 tbs ginger/garlic paste Combine the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Add the chicken cubes to the marinade, and coat thoroughly. Step 2: gravy 30g butter 15ml olive oil ½ onion, diced 1 tsp crushed ginger 1 tsp crushed garlic 30g cashews ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp garam masala 1 tsp dhania/jeera powder 2 tsp Kashmiri masala 2 tsp kasuri methi 2½ tomatoes,…

A CHATSWORTH pastor has broken his silence about the arrest of his church’s youth and worship leader for the alleged rape of a teenage girl who he was teaching music. The 31-year-old man, who is also a guitarist at the Bayview church, made his first appearance in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court last week. He is expected to make a formal bail application on Friday. The Hawks KZN tracking team, the metro police task team and the Chatsworth SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit arrested the man at his Westcliff home last Thursday. Police seized several laptops, cellphones, lingerie, sex toys and sexual enhancer tablets from the man’s home. A police source said the man could face further charges as it had been alleged he was a…

James McQuiggan, a security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, speaks to Anrisa Subroyan on artificial intelligence (AI) and the pros and the cons Q: What is AI? A: AI is the acronym for artificial intelligence (AI) and refers to the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. It’s a broad field encompassing various techniques, including machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing, using algorithms, programming, and probability. AI is divided into two types: narrow and general. Narrow AI is single-task orientated, like automation or generative AI. Q: What are some popular AI apps/tools students can use for assignments? A: ChatGPT is the most common generative AI program used by students and the public. These…

SINCE February 26 this year, more than 160 cases of conjunctivitis (pink eye) have been confirmed in parts of eThekwini. Nomagugu Simelane, the MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal, is urging the public to avoid the spread of conjunctivitis by practising good personal hygiene. Pink eye is diagnosed when the conjunctiva (the thin layer that lines the white part of the eye) becomes inflamed or irritated. Common symptoms of pink eye: Redness or pink discolouration in one or both eyes. Itchiness, irritation or a gritty, burning sensation in one or both eyes. Discharge from one or both eyes that can form a crust. This can cause difficulties opening your eye on waking. The discharge can be clear and thin, or stringy, thick, white or green. Swelling of the eyelids. Blurred vision.…

LUCKNOW: If you have a family history of glaucoma, are over 40 years of age or experiencing symptoms such as pain in the eye, pressure, headaches, or seeing rainbow-coloured halos around lights, it is essential to undergo an eye test. Ignoring these signs may lead to irreversible peripheral vision loss associated with glaucoma. Siddharth Agrawal, from the Department of Ophthalmology at the King George's Medical University, Uttar Pradesh, India, said glaucoma was caused by a build-up of fluid within the eye; leading to pressure that could damage the optic nerve. He underlined the importance of regular eye check-ups, especially for those above 40. Agrawal advised people to be especially vigilant if they had a family member with glaucoma, experience frequent spectacle changes, or had any discomfort in their eyes. SK…

The Editor’s View: “Strike back at violent strikers” (the POST, March 6-10)is a step in the right direction. Despite a high court order granted to the municipality, calling the protest action illegal, the workers are continuing to go on the rampage, destroying infrastructure and grinding the city to a halt. I noticed with great concern these protests led to power outages, water shutdowns and road obstructions in most parts of the city. My question is why are the SAPS and metro police standing back while violence and intimidation are on the increase? What was shocking was the overturning of bins in the presence of police. These acts must not be tolerated. Such cases must be properly investigated and those involved must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.…

The column, “Indians must not yearn for OCI” (the POST, February 7-11), refers. Esteemed columnist, Yogin Devan, strikes a sentimental chord when he writes about South African Indians seeking Overseas Citizenship in India with the sole intention of having an alternative to pack up and leave when “things get bad in this country”. Amid patriotic hoopla and with no false notes, he spells it out clearly that the grass is not always greener on the other side. My aim is to explore tentatively multiple perspectives and examine a few elements that seem significant. I have visited the Indian sub- continent a couple of times, back in the day. These days I try to keep in contact with the motherland via Indian television stations. A city like Mumbai could be…

THE recent upsurge in power outages in the eThekwini Municipality is frustrating for residents when routine activities such as cooking, studying and entertainment are affected. But the frequent disruption in electricity supply is good news for criminal elements who are having a field day robbing and plundering under the cover of darkness and failed security systems. Criminals are exploiting the outages as residents are left vulnerable with inactive alarms, surveillance cameras and electric fences. A family in Phoenix this week told how being without electricity had rendered them sitting ducks against a home- invasion. The family said that at night their street was plunged into darkness because street lights were also affected, fuelling petty crimes. In 2020 and 2021, the SAPS noted a significant increase in crimes during load shedding…

THE labour dispute at Durban Solid Waste (DSW) in the eThekwini Municipality has been ongoing for a prolonged period, resulting in chaotic and lawless conditions within the metro. The situation has led to an increase in unhygienic conditions and disarray throughout the region. It is imperative to examine this situation in its rightful context and take necessary action to restore order and stability. The city is currently facing an issue wherein the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) has resorted to illegal strikes due to a lack of constructive communication and negotiation with the municipality leadership. The workers have been demanding better wages and working conditions, and unfortunately, their concerns have not been effectively addressed. This has led to a state of frustration among the workers, which has resulted in…

THE family of a Queensburgh man who was shot and killed just metres away from his place of work, have described his killing as “senseless” and a great loss. Colin Nadar, 58, of Malvern, was shot multiple times while seated in his vehicle along Chalmers Road in Clairwood last Thursday afternoon. Nadar who was employed as the operations executive of Unitrans’ petroleum division for the past six months, came under attack moments after leaving his place of employment on Archary Road. Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson of ALS Paramedics Medical Services, said upon arrival, paramedics were shown to a light delivery vehicle, which had multiple bullet holes. “Paramedics gained access through the rear of the vehicle. The victim was found to have sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and there was nothing more paramedics…

A POLICE constable who was “moonlighting” as a bodyguard for a Verulam drug kingpin, has been arrested after being caught in full police uniform allegedly transporting drugs in a State vehicle. It has been alleged drugs were also found in the pockets of his uniform. The 28-year-old constable at the Verulam SAPS was arrested by the Hawks Provincial Tracking Team, the Hawks Anti-Gang Unit and metro police during a roadblock on the R102, near Verulam, on Monday night. According to police sources, investigations led them to the policeman while they were probing an incident on Friday night, where the drug kingpin and his bodyguards blocked off a road in Verulam. “A metro policeman, Captain Rogers Moodley, who was returning home after attending a Shivarathri prayer at a temple in Verulam…

Do not post personal details about yourself on social media, like where you live, name of your school or place of employment. Do not post pictures of your children. Always verify information before going to meet someone about a job interview or opportunity. Look up the name of the company if they have a website, and look at reviews. Always take someone with you when meeting someone you have not met before and make sure it is in a public place. If you think someone is following you, drive to the nearest police station or a public place. Talk about human trafficking to your peers, friends and family to create awareness Always be aware of your surroundings. Look around you at all times. Scream for help if you need to.…

THE 1860 monument to honour the arrival of Indian indentured labourers to Natal is finally set to become a reality. Neliswa Penny Nkonyeni, the MEC for Finance in KwaZulu-Natal, revealed during the provincial budget last Thursday that the monument was scheduled to be completed in the next seven to eight months. Nkonyeni said the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture had received R4.1 million in the 2024/2025 budget for the construction of the monument. “These funds were recalled into the provincial revenue fund a number of years ago when this project was showing little progress. The department reports that they anticipate that this project will be completed in 2024/2025 after gaining significant momentum in 2023/2024,” said Nkonyeni. “The department has indicated that the monument is in the process of being…

TAMANNAAH Bhatia said she was glad to share her first look from her film, Odela 2. On the festival of Maha Shivaratri, Bhatia shared the first look from the film on X. In the image, she is seen in maroon and orange clothes walking with a stick. What catches the eye is the Shiva tilak on her forehead. On the poster is written: “First time ever Tamannaah Bhatia as Shiva Shakthi”, hinting that she might play a devotee of Lord Shiva. Odela 2 is the sequel to the 2022 digital release Odela Railway Station, which was based on the real incidents that happened in Odela, India.…

ADAH Sharma was required to put on weight for the film Bastar: The Naxal Story. Sharma gained 10kg for her role, but also had to be fit. The film is based on the Maoist insurgency in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. “I had to be able to climb mountains and do action scenes with rifles. I ate around 15 bananas every day and flaxseed ladoos,” said Sharma. “We were shooting in the jungles, so my mother gave me a whole box of ladoos. I used to eat four a day." Bastar: The Naxal Story also stars Indira Tiwari, Vijay Krishna, Shilpa Shukla, Yashpal Sharma, Subrat Dutta and Raima Sen.…

SHRIYA Saran has shared a hilarious tip to avoid other people’s drama on social media. Saran shared a meme on Instagram stories: “Drinking one gallon water a day helps you avoid other people’s drama and the reason why is because one would be busy using the bathroom. Stay hydrated, my friends.” Saran’s latest work is Showtime, which also stars Rajeev Khandelwal, Emraan Hashmi, Mahima Makwana and Mouni Roy. It delves into the unseen world that lies behind the camera. The show started airing from March 8.…

AAMIR Khan, producer of the periodic film Lahore 1947, has opened up on casting Karan Deol, son of Sunny Deol, in the film. Director Rajkumar Santoshi will helm the project. It stars Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta in the lead roles. Karan, who made his acting debut with Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, will esssay the character of Javed. Khan said: "I am so happy that Karan has tested so well for the extremely critical role of Javed. His natural innocence, his sincerity and his honesty brings a lot to the table. “Karan has really applied himself, worked hard, done workshops with Adishakti, rehearsals with Raj, and is giving it his all. Javed is a great part, a very challenging part, and I am sure that with Raj Santoshi to…

WITH people spending increased time online, it’s key that we are mindful about protecting our mental health on social media. We assume two primary roles on social media – as consumers (consuming the content shared by others), and as creators (creating/posting/sharing on our own pages). Using social media mindfully is key to protecting our mental health. What we expose ourselves to can no doubt impact on us – just like the food that we eat can be nutritious or unhealthy, what we feed our minds can be inspiring or demotivating. As individuals, we should be aware of what needs we are meeting on social media. Mindful social media use means discerning what content makes us feel positive, happy or inspired, and what content evokes negative emotions in us. Our social…

South African Indian cooking has its own unique style and heritage, passed down through generations of Indian indentured labourers. Experience the rich flavours and aromatic spices that make Durban curry so special. 50ml vegetable oil ½ onion, finely chopped 2 chillies, sliced 2 sprigs curry leaves 1 tsp ginger/garlic paste 1 tomato, grated 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed 1kg lamb, cut into pieces Whole spices: 1 clove 1 cinnamon stick 2 elachi (cardamom) pods 1 tsp jeera (cumin) seeds 1 tsp fennel seeds 1 bay leaf Ground spices: ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp dhania (coriander) and jeera (cumin) powder 1 tsp garam masala 2 tbs mild Kashmiri special mix masala or 4 tbs medium-hot Kashmiri special mix masala rough salt, to taste ½ to 1 cup hot water fresh…

A snap survey of students from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) revealed that most of them relied on artificial intelligence (AI) to complete their assignments. They cited time constraints as a major factor in completing assignments and said AI “provided accurate information and precise answers within a matter of minutes”. The students said by using AI they were able to significantly reduce the amount of time they would have spent on an assignment, which demonstrated the efficiency and time-saving benefits of such technology. Others feared the information was not very accurate. l An 18-year-old UKZN BCom accounting student from Phoenix, said: “Yes, I have used AI to do an assignment. “Due to time constraints, I had to use AI. It helped me complete…

THE case of missing 6-year-old girl, Joshlin Rachelin Smith, who was allegedly “sold” for R20 000, has shone the spotlight on the number of children who are “violated” – especially at the hands of those meant to protect and care for them. Joshlin “mysteriously” disappeared from her home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, in the Western Cape, on February 19. According to reports, she was left in the care of her mother’s boyfriend as she was unwell and did not attend school that day. Her mother had apparently gone to work. While the search for the Grade 1 pupil has continued unabated over the past three weeks, four people, including her mother, were arrested last week. Joshlin’s mother, Racquel Chantel Smith and her boyfriend, Jacques Rowhan Appolis, together with Steveno…

THERE is so much negativity around that sometimes even a tiny semblance of a ray of light has to be latched on to, to provide us with hope. I purchased a 100ml bottle of vanilla essence (Robertsons), but could not open the cap. In desperation, I used a knife to crack open the seal. I then discovered that the glass bottle would not seal again. The cap just continued rotating. So, as I usually do, especially where food items are concerned, I summarily sent an email to its consumer service department. After forwarding the usual checks (batch number, etc), apart from receiving an acknowledgement, I heard nothing for the next two weeks. I then sent a reminder. Not only did I receive a genuine apology, but something that I have…

IT HAS been 30 years since the Interim Constitution ushered in the democratic era. It resulted in a cessation of hostilities and represented a radical rupture with the past, changing the trajectory of the country. It had, as its guiding principles, respect for human dignity, equality before the law and inclusivity, which stood in stark contrast to previous constitutions that were premised on representation in separate institutions, white supremacy and a hierarchy of dignity based on race, religion and cultural beliefs. Agreement on the contents of the Interim Constitution was part of the near miraculous transition that the country made from the racist apartheid autocracy to a constitutional democracy. As the Constitutional Court noted, despite the intense and devastating conflict existing at the time, our leaders, in a few short…

What took you so long, Pravin? So, Pravin Gordhan has at last decided he’s had enough and plans to retire after the May elections. What took him so long? He could have stepped down gracefully some years earlier when the halo on his balding patch was still firmly intact. But he chose to labour on as Minister of Public Enterprises, his saintly light losing some of its burnish in the process. Today, Eskom is in a shambles, Transnet way off track and Denel hanging on by a thread. He may still hang onto pockets of loyal fans in some areas but will be fooling himself if he believes he’s going to emerge unscathed after this week’s resignation announcement. Many of his fiercest critics are saying he should be held…

A DURBAN man who was falsely accused by Zimbabwean authorities of sending a bomb threat is back home in eManzimtoti, after being deported. Cuan Reed Govender, 25, was arrested on March 1, at the boarding gates of the Robert Mugabe International Airport when scanners detected five rounds of live ammunition in his bag. Speaking to the POST this week, Govender said he spent six days in a Zimbabwean prison. The father of one, said he began working remotely for a company in Zimbabwe, as its general manager, in July 2023. Govender said this was his first trip to the country, for work, and he did not know the bullets were in his bag. “This was my first time in an aeroplane. I was meant to spend a week in Zimbabwe…

Q: How prevalent has human trafficking become in SA and where are the main hot spots? A: Extremely prevalent. Nowadays, you see more and more cases of humans being kidnapped and trafficked. Thankfully, law enforcement is starting to take the issue more seriously. The main hot spots are Durban, Johannesburg and Bloemfontein. Cases have also been recorded in the Eastern Cape. Q: What modus operandi is used and how are victims taken? A: Many are lured with job offers or promises of a better life, while others are forcefully kidnapped and trafficked. Some victims are also sold for child marriage, which is also a practice of human trafficking. Q: What do recent crime statistics indicate, and are they a true reflection of the number of cases in SA? A: This…

GAUTENG and KwaZulu-Natal have been identified as hot spots for kidnappings for ransom and human trafficking of well-known and wealthy families. Anti-crime activist, Yusuf Abramjee, said cases in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape were also on the rise. Crime statistics from October to December 2023 showed an average of 50 kidnappings daily in South Africa, he said. “Many are kidnapped for ransom. This trend has been going up over the last few years, and there are two categories. One is the so-called express kidnappings where suspects take the victims over a day or two and rob them of a few thousand rand. They then let the victims go or keep them until they empty their bank accounts. “The second category is the well-planned, orchestrated and targeted kidnappings. Here they…

MANCHESTER United midfielder Mason Mount returned to training yesterday after four months out with a calf injury. Mount has made just 12 appearances in all competitions for United since his £60 million (R1.4 billion) transfer from Chelsea before the start of this season. The 25-year-old last played when he came off the bench in United’s 1-0 win against Luton in November. Even when he was fit to feature, Mount struggled to make an impact, leading some to brand the England international a flop. But Mount could still have a chance to silence the critics this season after United confirmed he was back in training, having “remained upbeat and positive throughout his rehabilitation”. The playmaker’s long-awaited return came just days after Erik ten Hag offered a promising update on his status.…

RUPALI Ganguly feels blessed to portray Anupamaa in the family drama of the same name, which is about women’s empowerment. “I am blessed to play a character who highlights the strength of women. This role is more than a dream role to me, and I am fortunate that Rajan Shahi (television director) gave me this chance,” said Ganguly. She called producer Deepa Shahi her inspiration. “Anupamaa takes a lot from her and her personal experiences. No matter what happens, we have to move forward.” Ganguly praised Rajan Shahi and called him her “guide and mentor”. “I wouldn’t dare call him my friend. He’s the maker of Anupamaa. So for me, whatever I am today, he’s behind it. “There must be so many better actors than me who are just waiting…

Emraan Hashmi, who stars in the recent series Showtime, feels he is not fit to be a producer. He said he only produced one film so far but he acted in it as well. The film, Why Cheat India, was released in 2019. Hashmi confessed that he was more of a creative person than a finance or commerce-focused one. “I got a commerce degree. There’s a running joke in my family that I wanted to be in arts, but I went into commerce. I still don’t cross my cheques properly when I sign them. There’s someone always lurking over my head to see if I do everything correctly.” Showtime also stars Mahima Makwana with Mouni Roy, Rajeev Khandelwal, Shriya Saran, Vishal Vashishtha, Neeraj Madhav, Vijay Raaz and Naseeruddin Shah.…

MAHESH Babu set pulses racing after he unveiled a glimpse of his latest photoshoot, exuding suavity in a stylish flannel shirt. The Tollywood superstar’s charismatic persona was showered with admiration from his wife and actress Namrata Shirodkar. The Murari star shared photos on Instagram, where he is seen in a blue and white flannel shirt with messy hair. The post is captioned: “Through the lens …” His wife dropped fire emojis in the comment section. Fans commented with “gangster turned into romantic”; “handsome hunk” and “heart-throb”. Meanwhile, on the workfront, Babu was last seen in the Telugu action drama Guntur Kaaram.…

SHE’S such a show off. Constantly online showing off her new car, bags and frequent travels. Wonder if it’s really true or all just for social media. Wow, have we become a cynical bunch of onlookers constantly waiting to tear down the success of others as we label them show-offs for sharing their wins online? Could it be that there’s a tad of jealousy rising to the surface because we are all somewhat caught up in an endless loop of comparison to what we see online? Now I must admit that I am a strong advocate for not posting your successes online only because it draws the aforementioned negative attention and bad energy. Having said that, it is your absolute right to share your many achievements and experiences with “your…

PRIYANKA Govender-Chanderdeo has more than 230 000 followers on various social media platforms and her creative content continues to draw in new likes and shares with each post. “I like to share my recipes, so people can be inspired to cook more, try out new dishes and to show the younger generations how to make dishes that we grew up eating. “Many people run out of ideas on what to make and they look for inspiration. I hope they find that on my page,” said Govender-Chanderdeo. The 32-year-old, of Durban, is a food blogger and content creator. She is married to Davron Chanderdeo, a chartered accountant. She said she loved cooking curries. “It's always a piece of home and my childhood. But I truly love making pastas and experimenting with…

THE nostalgic flavours of masala fried fish hold a special place in my heart. My grandparents owned a seafood restaurant. My grandfather bought fresh seafood every week, and this dish was prepared at least once a month in our home. My grandmother would make this as a starter, or accompany this dish with seafood for lunch and dinner. 500g or 2 large fish fillets, preferably mussel cracker or small whole fish 2 tsp dhania and jeera powder 2 tbs Kashmiri masala ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp crushed garlic 8-10 curry leaves 4 tbs olive oil juice from 1 lemon ½ tsp salt ½ tsp pepper 125ml water Wash the fish fillets thoroughly. In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients with some water to make a paste. Coat the fish…

LESS than 72 hours apart, two pensioners were murdered in separate robberies in Phoenix. Lutchmanna George Papiah, 70, who lived at the Covenant Kingdom Ministries, was found dead inside the church in Trenance Manor on Saturday morning. Papiah was found gagged with a piece of cloth stuffed into his mouth, lying on his stomach with his hands tied to his legs behind his back, police sources told the POST. And on Monday morning, Ramrathee Munsamy, 77, was found strangled to death with her Punjabi scarf, allegedly by her gardener, in the bathroom of her Sastri Park home. Pastor Jerome Naidoo described Papiah’s death as sadistic and brutal. “We believe that the robbery occurred on Friday night, when the suspects gained entry into the church by forcing open the door. George…

EDUCATION experts warned this week that the unauthorised use of artificial intelligence (AI) by university students for academic work constituted “cheating”. The misuse of this innovative technology is subsequent to serious repercussions – such as plagiarism – if a student is caught, said experts. University of KwaZulu-Natal academic Labby Ramrathan said that AI needed to be used responsibly. “How the technology is used, is what matters. If students use AI tools to do their assignment then it does not contribute to any learning. In fact, most academics would be able to easily identify the work of AI tools in assignments. Hence, students would either need to resubmit that assignment or fail that assignment. “There is similarity index software that can also identify the amount of contribution by AI. Students are…

NEW DELHI: Researchers have found an increasing link between Covid-19 infection and eye problems such as dryness, redness and itchy eyes. While Covid-19 had been primarily a respiratory infection, the ocular system had shown susceptibility to the Sars-CoV-2 virus with numerous symptoms reported across the globe, said the team from the Kiran C Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University in the US. Their study, published in the Cureus: Journal of Medical Science, identified conjunctivitis as the most common ocular symptom, with about one in every 10 patients presenting the symptoms associated with Covid-19. The team also reported more serious complications such as episcleritis – a benign, inflammatory disease that affects the clear tissue that covers the white part of the eyes, and is unrelated to Covid-19 infection; ophthalmoparesis…

THE KZN Department of Social Development (DSD) said the issue of children being violated in the province was serious and on the rise. Vukani Mbhele, KZN DSD’s director of communication services and stakeholder management, said there had been an increase in the number of reported child abuse cases at social development service offices across the districts. According to the KZN DSD’s statistics for the third quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year, among the districts, there were: 586 cases reported in eThekwini South 298 cases reported in eThekwini North 311 cases reported in uMgungundlovu 345 cases reported in King Cetshwayo 203 cases reported in iLembe Mbhele said in most of the cases reported, the alleged perpetrators were known by the children. He said to assist victims, the DSD had co-ordinated the…

CLARENS is a beautiful small town in the Free State that is a popular tourist resort, lying at the foothills of the majestic sandstone Maluti Mountains. Well done to this jewel of the eastern Free State on being the first town/city in South Africa to introduce energy curtailment. This unique intervention ensures that rolling blackouts and the dreaded load shedding of Eskom are a thing of the past in this town. With the co-operation of the town, residents and businesses, curtailment has become a reality, to the envy of the greater country. Tourism continues as normal to the town’s benefit and generates much finances for local businesses. Surely if Clarens can introduce the brilliant innovation of electricity curtailment, other areas, especially small towns and villages, can replicate this good thing…

What is happening to South Africans of Indian extraction that causes the likes of Bobby Perumal to go against the teachings of the beloved Prophet of God, Jesus (PBUH)? Yes, I agree with my learned and sagacious friend, Ashwin Trikamjee, in the article, “CRL asks pastor to apologise” (the POST, March 6-10). Bobby Perumal, pardon me, I won’t address him as a pastor due to his hateful words. He defrocked himself and is made to apologise, which is like pouring a balm over a serious burn that will heal, but the scars will be visible as a symbol of hate and prejudice, which has once more manifested itself. All this is unAfrican, and while the CRL Commission had issued its edict, no amount of apologising would suffice without action on…

A BALLITO businesswoman who was allegedly hit with a chair, punched twice in the face and then threatened with a firearm by two law enforcement officers – who are brothers – wants swift justice. Viloshini Chengadu, 48, the owner of a recycling business, said despite calls by the government for harsher punishment to be imposed on perpetrators of gender-based-violence, her alleged attackers had still not been arrested. She said she was being failed by the law. “So where is the justice? This is why so many victims don’t report crimes, because their cries for help fall on deaf ears.” Chengadu said the driver of one of her trucks had been enroute to do a delivery in Phoenix, when he was involved in an accident with an off-duty police officer’s private…

Ramonia Naidu, an employee at Anchor Yeast in eManzimtoti from May 2017 to November 2018, was found guilty of defrauding the company of R2 million. The 46-year-old woman was sentenced to 8 and 4 years’ imprisonment for fraud and corruption, respectively, at the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court, on Friday. According to Hawks spokesperson, Simphiwe Mhlongo, Naidu colluded with a service provider who was supplying chemicals to Anchor Yeast and defrauded the company by placing orders from the supplier, and falsifying delivery notes. She would then receive payment for personal gain. Mhlongo said the company received information about the irregularities and an audit was conducted. “During the audit it was revealed that Naidu was defrauding the company. A case of fraud and corruption was reported at Amanzimtoti police station and…

KIDNAPPINGS have become “one of the most profitable crimes” in South Africa. Despite breakthroughs by police and private investigators in arresting members of kidnapping syndicates, there has been a rise in copycat gangs and new gangs in recent months. In Durban, two schoolgirls were lucky to escape after kidnappers tried to snatch them, in separate incidents, while walking home from school. Last Monday, a 9-year-old girl from Havenside, in Chatsworth, was on her way home from Evergreen Primary School when two men in a blue Renault tried abducting her, metres away from her home. According to police sources, the child pushed the attacker and escaped his grip, but the man managed to grab a cellphone from a relative, who was walking with the child. The girl’s family declined to comment…

NORTH West police are following leads and have intensified their search for the two teenagers from Brits who were kidnapped last week. Mohamed Bataviya, 19, and Zahraa Mohamed, 17, were driving from Bataviya’s home in Brits, to school in Hartbeespoort Dam, when they were kidnapped. A maroon Audi A3 bumped into the front of the Mercedes-Benz they were travelling in, forcing them to stop in front of a primary school. Two armed men allegedly jumped off and ordered the cousins to get into a white Volkswagen Polo GTi and fled with the teenagers. The Mercedes-Benz and the Audi A3 were found at the scene. Police spokesperson Amanda Funani, said police had launched a manhunt for the three unknown suspects, but the teenagers had still not been found. Police have appealed…

DSTV Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns were paired with Young Africans of Tanzania when the CAF Champions League quarter-finals draw was made in Cairo yesterday. Title-holders Al Ahly of Egypt drew Simba of Tanzania, TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo face Petro Luanda of Angola and Esperance of Tunisia meet ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast. Group runners-up Mazembe, Simba, Esperance and Young Africans will have home advantage in the first legs on March 29-30. Al Ahly have won the competition a record 11 times, Mazembe five titles, Esperance four, and ASEC and Sundowns once each. Pretoria outfit Sundowns won the inaugural eight-club African Football League last year and are desperate to add the Champions League to the trophy cabinet. They are banking on South African and South American talent…

THe north-east winds and the summer heat have turned the fishing on. Whether you are on the shore or in a boat, the fish are biting! With all the different facets of angling, there are a few essentials you always need. A good set of pliers goes a long way and can be used in most facets of angling from fly fishing to big game trolling. Quality sun protective clothing allows you to keep fishing even in the heat of summer. A decent headlight makes all the difference if you fish in any form of low light. With our need for technology and our sport involving water, a waterproof pouch is essential. These are but a few items to put on your list of must-haves. The summer fish are here,…