Table of contents for Wednesday, March 31, 2021 in Post

CIVIC ORGANISATIONS: LEAVE JUDICIARY ALONE Zuma calls justice system oppressive, unjust JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za JACOB Zuma criticised the country’s justice system last week, calling the judiciary oppressive and beyond reproach. Last week, the former president issued an eight-page statement moments after the State Capture Commission of Inquiry, known as the Zondo Commission, approached the Constitutional Court to have him jailed for two years for contempt of court. Zuma recently refused to appear before the commission to respond to allegations of fraud, corruption and state capture. Written arguments were submitted on behalf of Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo at the Constitutional Court last Thursday but judgment was reserved. Zuma called the submissions made to the Concourt as untruthful and selective. He questioned the inclusion of Justice Dhaya Pillay, claiming that she…

ACCUSED CAPITALISED ON CHILD’S HELPLESSNESS: JUDGE Nine life sentences for rapist stepfather JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za IMMORAL, dark and narcissistic were some of the words Judge Mohini Moodley used to describe a Verulam child rapist during his sentencing on Friday in the Durban High Court. The man, 46, had used his stepdaughter as a sex slave and repeatedly raped her since she was 9 years old. Judge Moodley said as the child’s guardian, the stepfather, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child, now 13, had betrayed and violated her in the worst way possible. "The accused ravaged the complainant not only physically but he brought untold damage on her mind and psyche. He has three young children of his own yet (he) had no conscience in violating…

NEWS IOL.CO24 .ZA /7 ‘RESTRICTIONS ON MOVEMENT OVER EASTER HOLIDAYS WILL LOWER RISK’ PROFESSOR Glenda Gray, the president of the South African Medical Research Council, believes that restricting movement or implementing an earlier curfew could help mitigate transmission that may occur during the Easter period. Health officials and experts have warned that the associated religious gatherings and Easter celebrations could cause a spike in Covid-19 infections. “The third wave is inevitable as we are going into winter months. Easter or any holiday period represents high-risk period transmission. “Curtailing movement or implementing curfew or restricting crowds is a good way to try to mitigate transmission that may occur during this period,” said Gray. Meanwhile, the government unveiled the details of its vaccine roll-out plan of inoculating up to 200 000 people…

SAPS MUST BE BETTER TRAINED Call for high-calibre firearms to be banned during protests NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za AT THE release of the panel of experts report in Pretoria yesterday, Bheki Cele, Minister of Police, said incidents such as the 2012 killings of 34 striking miners in Marikana should never happen again. The report provided recommendations on policing and crowd control and management within the South African Police Service (SAPS). In April 2016, the panel was set up under the late Judge David Sakelene Vusumuzi Ntshangase in line with the recommendations of the Marikana Commission of Inquiry. The commission was established by former president Jacob Zuma and was chaired by retired Judge Ian Farlam after police killed striking mineworkers at the Lonmin mine in Marikana on August 16, 2012. Prior to…

Hiring and firing coaches BAFANA Bafana Molefi Ntseki is guilty as charged. And therefore, he should cease his position as Bafana Bafana’s commander in chief. It’s either the South African Football Association (Safa) sack him or he does the honourable thing by stepping down. Bafana failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, finishing third in Group C after a 2-0 defeat away to Sudan at Al Hilal Stadium in Khartoum State. Ntseki, though, admitted: “I have failed as a coach”. Ntseki was only appointed after Safa didn’t get the candidates they would have preferred. But, when Ntseki called up his players for the last two qualifiers, his selection was not convincing. He focused more on past experience rather than current form. Admittedly, the woes of our…

Your vote is the best weapon against corruption THIS is the story of the common man by a fourth-generation son of this soil. Our forefathers were lured to this soil with the promise of opportunity and a better life for themselves and their future generations. They arrived in South Africa bound by a contract, were exploited and deprived of many human rights. They worked hard and broke their backs toiling away in the sun on the canefields but their spirits were never broken. This became the story of the common man. They raised themselves from horrible conditions and started to build a community that took care of its own. They built communities, temples, churches, mosques and schools. Eventually, they had factories, farms and businesses. They became an important part of…

Councillors must stop sitting in their offices THE eThekwini Municipality paid R526million for 13th cheques to employees for no productive work, while thousands have lost their jobs through lockdowns and recessions and struggle to pay their monthly bills (the POST, March 3-7). It also appears that our councillors have abandoned us, the ratepayers. The time has come for us to take stock as we approach the municipal elections. We need to look at the efficiency and state of services we receive. We need to vote to ensure that we elect strong candidates with courageous leadership and communication skills. These councillors need to have regular meetings in their wards in order to listen to the people’s complaints rather than sitting in their offices. It is time to seriously engage with civil…

Charm Govender stood firm BRAVE Struggle hero Charm Govender passed away last week. He has done his deed, living his life to the fullest and inspiring a multitude of South Africans. The best we can do is honour his tireless efforts in promoting social and political justice and continue to expose injustices. Govender gave all that he had to redeem South Africa’s unmet promise of equality and justice for all and to create a place for us to build a more perfect society together. It was stalwarts like Govender who fought to lift the yoke of apartheid tyranny. His passing reminds us to take time, pause and express gratitude for the contributions men and women made during the Struggle that unchained us from bondage. We must remember. If we do…

Zero tolerance needed on roads I WAS taken aback while reading the article “Mom left paralysed after car crash” (the POST, March 24-28). I sympathise with the Reddy family as this type of accident could have been avoided. Could we start a culture of driving safely and learning to be considerate, or is this a tall order? Sadly, these types of accidents seem endless. If one considers the first letter of the alphabet being “A” for attitude, this is where the problem is. I assume that only a small percentage of reckless and negligent drivers are apprehended. Many motorists have a don’t care attitude by disregarding the rules of the road, ignoring speed limits, red traffic lights and tail gating. No wonder our road casualties remain high. It is time…

STAY ALERT Popular time for housebreakings HENK VAN BEMMELEN Pexels.com CRIMINALS benefit from a veil of darkness, but they don’t only strike at night. Late afternoons, when families are done with school and work, when they’re distracted by preparing supper, or getting homework done, when households aren’t yet locked for the night and kids are playing in the yard, have sadly become a popular time for housebreakings. Criminals, all too aware that the doors are unlocked and alarms unarmed, are taking the opportunity to hold up families – often at gunpoint – to steal their valuables. To avoid coming face-to-face with a criminal, in what is often a volatile situation, don’t let your guard down in the evenings. Safety tips: •Lock up your tools and garden equipment in your shed…

Your Stars SHARRON DUFF ARIES (March 21 – April 19) It’s time to put the past behind you, even the recent past. There may have been discussions behind your back but don’t let these stand in your way. Keep moving forward. Lucky colour: yellow. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) This is your week to expect recognition for hard work in the home or at work. You are being noticed. Plans for a new project are under way, so be prepared to get involved. Put yourself out there. Lucky colour: purple. GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) If you are feeling the loss of a loved one, then this week brings you a reminder to look for the signs left for you. Also, to remember that you are surrounded by…

HOPING TO HELP CHILDREN Prince Harry’s advice on coping with death IN AN emotional foreword to a new book, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, recalls the pain he suffered as a 12-year-old after the death of his mother, Princess Diana. The book, written by Chris Connaughton and illustrated by Fay Troote, was published to coincide with Britain’s National Day of Reflection last week, and is aimed at helping children cope with the loss of a front-line worker parent in the Covid-19 pandemic. Princess Diana died in a car accident in Paris with her partner and film producer, Dodi Fayed, on August 31, 1997, According to Fox News, the 36-year-old Harry hopes to help other children who, like himself, are mourning the loss of a parent. Harry said: “At the…

BEST ON SPORTS BOX Five day TV guide TODAY Cricket Test Series: Windies v Sri Lanka, Second Test, Day 3, 3.45pm, CRI, GSD (5.15pm) Cycling Dwars door Vlaanderen, 75th Edition (200km), 2.45pm, GSD, VR1 Soccer 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - UEFA: Armenia v Romania, 5.50pm, SSM, EPL; Northern Ireland v Bulgaria, 8.35pm, VR2; Spain v Kosovo, 8.35pm, SSM, LIG; Austria v Denmark, 8.35pm, ACT; Germany v North Macedonia, 8.35pm, FTB; Bosnia and Herzegovina v France, 8.35pm, PSL; England v Poland, 8.35pm, EPL; Greece v Georgia, 8.35pm, VR1; Lithuania v Italy, 8.35pm, VR3; Scotland v Faroe Islands, 8.35pm, VR4 Netball SPAR Challenge International Series: Namibia v President XII, 1.45pm, VR4; South Africa v Uganda, 3.45pm, VR4 Tennis ATP World Tour Masters 1000: Miami Open presented by Itaú, Day 7, 12…

WICKETKEEPING OPTION AB’s ready, set to go for IPL ROYAL Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) AB de Villiers on Monday said that he is "all packed" to join the franchise for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). "All packed to join the @royalchallengersbangalore team for the IPL," de Villiers wrote on Instagram. RCB skipper Virat Kohli has already begun his preparation for the cash-rich league. Earlier in the day, he shared a glimpse of his workout routine. "No rest days. From here on it’s all about speed #IPL," Kohli tweeted. RCB are set to play the IPL 2021 opener against Mumbai Indians on April 9 in Chennai. Last week, Mike Hesson, RCB’s director of cricket, had said that De Villiers will once again be a wicketkeeping option for the…

GOAL POACHING ACE LEAVING ON GOOD TERMS Aguero to leave Man City MANCHESTER City’s all-time top scorer Sergio Aguero will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, the Premier League club announced on Monday. The 32-year-old joined the Etihad club from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and went on to score a club record 257 goals in 384 appearances, winning four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and five League Cups. The Argentine is the highest scoring foreigner in the Premier League and the division’s fourth-top scorer of all time with 181 league goals. “When a cycle comes to an end, many sensations arise,” Aguero wrote in a social media post. “A huge sense of satisfaction and pride remains in me for having played with Manchester City…

COUNTDOWN FOR WRESTMANIA 37 HAS BEGUN Black magic on WWE “IT’S going to be a magical night” is how Royal Rumble winner Bianca Belair described the upcoming historic Wrestle-mania 37 match against current WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion, Sasha Banks. Belair and Banks’ match will be the first time two black women challenge each other in a world-title match at WWE’s event of the year, Wrestle-mania. Belair earned the opportunity to fight any champion of her choosing at Wrestlemania after staying a record 56 minutes in the ring fighting for her Royal Rumble win. She mentioned that she chose Banks as her opponent because of what it would mean for representation. "Two Afro-females, black Afro-females. What it represents is really sending a powerful message to the world. She motivates me. I…

COMMENT Top four, survival race hots up ESHLIN VEDAN eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za WITH Manchester City now destined to win the Premier League, the others will have thrown in the towel as far as aiming for the title goes. The focus will now be on the European spots and the relegation zone. City are the only side that is virtually assured to get a top four spot and the other three are still up for grabs. Though Sheffield United and West Brom look destined to take two of the three relegation spots, Fulham will be fighting for their lives as they trail 17th-place Newcastle by just two points and can potentially break free from the dreaded zone with victory over Aston Villa this weekend. Newcastle have been the poorest side in the league…

MOZAMBIQUE: ’WHY SHOULD WE LIVE IN FEAR?’ Families pray to God for protection CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za FAMILIES living in the vicinity of Palma in Mozambique will not be scared off by attacks in the town. Militants, believed to be linked to Islamic State (IS), began attacking Palma, in the province of Cabo Delgado, last Wednesday. The area is a gas manufacturing hub. During the attack, more than 200 workers, including foreign employees, had to evacuate the Amarula Lodge Hotel where they had taken refuge. Adrian Nel, 40, of Pietermaritzburg, was shot while trying to flee in a car with his brother Wesley and stepfather Greg Knox. They were stuck at the hotel. According to reports by Reuters, the shooting began hours after Total, a French Energy Group, said on Wednesday…

INVESTIGATIONS FOUND COMPANIES WERE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CONSUMERS Funeral parlours did increase prices during second wave CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za AN INVESTIGATION into price gouging in the funeral industry in KwaZulu-Natal has found that businesses inflated the amounts for services during the Covid-19 pandemic. On Sunday, Ravi Pillay, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) in KZN, said his department's investigation into price gouging during the second wave of Covid-19 was completed. In January, the POST spoke to two families, who claimed they were asked to pay more than what they were quoted for funerals. A woman said she was quoted R10 500 for the funeral of her mom, but she was later asked to pay an additional R3 000. A man claimed he paid R4 000 more…

SA JOINS OTHER COUNTRIES IN AFRICA National action plan to provide protection for women JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za IN A BID for women, children and the vulnerable to feel protected and have no fear of crime, a national action plan (Nap) on women, peace and security was recently launched by the government and civil society. South Africa is the 85th country to develop a Nap, joining other African countries, including Mozambique and Namibia. The Nap aims to identify and prioritise key peace and security issues and develop strategic actions. It will enable meaningful participation for women in peace processes and it will prioritise their needs and experiences in conflict and non-conflict contexts. In 2009, the UN selected South Africa as a pilot country for the development of the action plan but…

STRICT PROTOCOLS FOR THE EASTER WEEKEND Places of worship to go ahead with services CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za SOME places of worship will be open to the public this Easter weekend, but strict Covid-19 protocols will apply. Last year, places of worship had cancelled their Easter service activities after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a hard lockdown would be implemented to curb the rate of infection. This year, under level 1 of the lock-down, places of worship can open but only 100 people are allowed for religious gatherings indoors and 250 for outdoors. Pastor Cyril Pillay, of the People’s Church of God in Chatsworth, said they would have two services on Good Friday which would each accommodate 100 worshippers. “Every year on Easter Sunday we hold a sunrise service at the Mobeni…

CORRUPTION WATCH RELEASES 2020 REPORT Police, health-care sector receive highest number of corruption reports JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za DESPITE nine months of 2020 under lockdown, 4780 incidents of corruption were recorded by Corruption Watch. This was the non-profit organisation’s second-highest number of reports on corruption since it was formed in January 2012. The 9th annual report, which was released last Thursday, also recorded its highest number of corrupt activities that implicated the police and the health-care sectors. Corruption Watch relies on the public to report corruption to them. The report is used in the fight against corruption and to hold leaders accountable for their actions. According to its website, the organisation investigates selected reports of alleged acts of corruption, in particular those cases that have the most serious impact on society.…

MBEKI WAS THE STUMBLING BLOCK TO ZUMA’S ASCENDENCY ANC and ‘Ngoko’ mentality: the great betrayal of our people THAMSANQA D MALINGA FRANK Chikane writes in his seminal account of the days leading to the recall of former president Thabo Mbeki, post his election defeat at the Polokwane conference, how many comrades wanted Mbeki dislodged from power – ngoko (now). In his encounter at the events as they unfolded, Chikane noted: “Voices of reason… were drowned out by the angry voices of the night… in the end, the ngoko (now) chorus won the day.” He later recounts the international snowball of after-effects that followed: “Clearly, this was not in the minds of those who were making the decision at Esselen Park. “What preoccupied them was how to remove Mbeki from office…

Water theft: another side to the story THE bbc.com article, “Boy assaulted for drinking temple water” (the POST, March 17-21), is less than truthful. Asif was beaten, allegedly, for drinking water at a temple. But an interview with one of the locals in the area, who is also a pandit at the temple, has revealed the other side of the story. The pandit said: “There are two government taps right outside the temple building. There is another tap for drinking water right after the entrance of the temple and yet he (Asif) was found at the far end of the temple compound. “He was not here for drinking water. “These people routinely enter the temple compound for harassing the Hindu girls, defiling the temples and Hindu deities, or stealing things.…

Millions of young people remain unemployed THE recent tabling of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Third Adjustments Appropriation Bill – in response to a scarcity of funds due to the Covid-19 pandemic – is a prime example of the government robbing Peter to pay Paul. While the adjustment is to be expected, the reality is that provincial departments tasked with economic development and job creation are worst affected as millions are now redirected to education. The irony of the situation is not lost on the dA, as millions of young people in our country and our province remain unemployed amid a sluggish provincial economy. Over the past few years, infrastructure and maintenance under education was ignored and this department now finds itself underfunded to meet the backlogs, particularly with water and sanitation.…

Commission reminds me of the circus THE Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture makes for compelling viewing. There is a common thread that binds some of those giving evidence. Several of them seem to have come well prepared and answer questions that are anticipated, prepared and premeditated. Can a person look at the commissioner in the eye and fabricate answers? The answer is “yes”. That’s what seems to be the recipe for answering questions at the commission. I believe that deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo is not going to fall for these antics. The evidence providers have joined the chorus of singer Shaggy’s popular song and gave new meaning to It Wasn’t Me. I remember, as a youngster, how I was enthralled, captivated and entertained annually by the…

LITTLE ANGELS TO ENTER Email a high resolution (between 500KB and 1MB) close-up picture of your baby to postbaby@inl.co.za Please include the baby’s name, date of birth, age at the time of picture, parents’ names and contact details. Each monthly winner will go into the finals, where the POST Baby of the Year will be selected.…

BRIDAL MARCH WINNERS How to enter THE POST Bridal Couple of the Year competition will run from January to November. The bridal page will appear on the last Wednesday of every month. It will also feature the winning couple of the month. Email a waist-up, high-resolution picture (500KB to 1MB) to: postbridal@inl.co.za Include the names of the bridal couple, contact details, and the date and venue of the wedding. Competition rules THE Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The competition is open to all couples married between September 2020 and August 2021. Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable for cash. Independent Media employees, participating sponsors and their immediate families are not eligible to enter. Publication is not guaranteed. An independent panel of judges will select…

LIVERPOOL ON THE MOVE Reds eyeing Leipzig’s Konate while Salah missing fans LIVERPOOL'S Premier League title defence was undermined by a series of injuries at the centre back position and while the club are reportedly keen on RB Leipzig defender Ibrahima Konate the Bundesliga side have issued a "hands off" warning. Liverpool were handed a massive blow when Virgil Van Dijk was lost to a season-ending injury in October, and then suffered more injury woes when fellow centre backs Joe Gomez and Joel Matip went down. The Athletic https://theathletic.com/2482047/2021/03/29/liverpool-finalising-dealto-sign-ibrahima-konate-from-rb-leipzig said on Monday Liverpool were close to finalising a deal for Konate, whose contract reportedly contains a release clause of around 40 million euros ($47.07 million), but Leipzig director Markus Krosche said the 21-year-old France youth international has a big future…

TENNIS STAR GETS LUCKY Karatsev divulges secret of his success DEBORAH CURTIS-SETCHELL PRIOR to the ‘kick off’ of the Miami Masters, loaded with American players, it was fascinating to watch a Russian grabbing press attention, at this home of the Miami Dolphins. Aslan Karatsev, the new Dubai Masters champion, after his team’s ATP Cup victory and his extraordinary run to the semis in the recent Australian Open, was remarkably humble, while under the microscope, in an intriguing interview: He insisted that he had had a huge stroke of luck, en route to Melbourne in January. “I changed my flight from Doha at the last minute, and from then on, everything changed for me: “I was supposed to be on the same plane as all the other players, who, when a…

ANC NEC DECISION ON THOSE FACING CORRUPTION CHARGES ‘Step aside or face disciplinary action’ JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za CIVIL rights groups have welcomed the decision by the ANC national executive committee to give Ace Magashule, the party's secretary-general, 30 days to step aside pending his trial in which he is facing 74 counts of fraud and corruption. Following the ANC NEC meeting on Monday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his closing address, said Magashule and others facing corruption charges had a month to vacate their offices. If they did not, they faced suspension or disciplinary action from the party. "All members who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes must step aside within 30 days, failing which, they should be suspended in terms of Rule 25.70 of the ANC…

NEW KZN LEADER FOR DA ‘I have always had a passion for politics’ CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za FRANCOIS Rodgers will lead the DA in KZN. Rodgers, 59, of Kokstad, a member of the provincial legislature, was elected leader during the party’s provincial congress at the Durban ICC on Saturday. He previously held the position of provincial legislature chief whip. Rodgers succeeded Zwakele Mncwango, who declined to run for a third term as provincial leader. The grandfather of one competed against Nicole Graham, the eThekwini caucus leader, and Emmanuel Mhlongo, eThekwini deputy caucus leader. He will lead the party with MPL Chris Pappas, who is now the deputy leader in KZN, and MP Dean Macpherson, the party’s chairperson. Shehana Kajee, Elma Rabe and Sithembiso Ngema were elected deputy chairpersons. Rodgers grew up…

EASTER, HOLI, PILGRIMAGES AFFECTED AGAIN AS INFECTIONS PEAK GLOBALLY Religious events v Covid-19 POST REPORTER More Easter reports on Pages 12 and 13: Details subject to change depending on amendments to Covid-19 lockdown regulations by the Presidency FOR the second consecutive year, Pope Francis led Palm Sunday services in an almost empty St Peter’s Basilica because of coronavirus restrictions. In pre-coronavirus times, Palm Sunday, which marks the start of Holy Week and leads up to Easter, thousands of people gathered at St Peter’s Square holding olive branches and palm fronds in an outdoor ceremony. Instead, according Reuters, about 120 members of the faithful joined the pope in Sunday’s mass and about 30 cardinals in a secondary wing of the basilica. “Last year, we were shocked. This year, we are more…

Editor’s View Ramaphosa finally stamps authority on corruption IT’S TAKEN well over three years but this week we finally got a sense that Cyril Ramaphosa is in charge of the African National Congress. Delivering the closing address for the meeting, Ramaphosa wore an ANC tie and lapel with a party flag in the background. The message was clear: Ramaphosa is leading South Africa’s governing party. Ace Magashule, the ANC’s general secretary, is effectively out of the party. He has 30 days to resign or will be suspended. This follows a decision by the NEC that all members charged with corruption or serious crimes must step down. Magashule has been charged with several counts of corruption related to a multimillion-rand contract during his term as premier of the Free State. Magashule’s…

GOOD DOSE OF ETIQUETTE NEEDED Hospital cellphone rules a bitter pill to swallow YOGIN DEVAN SHOULD the use of cellphones be allowed in hospitals? I ask because a friend recently complained that her stay in a general ward in hospital was troubled by other patients using their cellphones. She said the noise nuisance by inconsiderate patients talking loudly and for a long duration denied her much-needed rest. Yes, some patients can be irritating with their loud talking on a phone. Beeping, ringing, and singing ring tones can be a nuisance, and the tendency for patients to answer their phones in the middle of a consultation is annoying. I recall that about 20 years ago, Durban surgeon Dr Graham Dawber was charged for serious assault by a renal patient who claimed…

India-Pakistan in search of common ground I AM ENCOURAGEd that both India and Pakistan are amenable to a UAE-brokered roadmap towards finding a sustainable peaceful solution. In its wake comes India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s overtures to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, desiring cordial relations. May God act as an intermediary. As neighbouring countries, Sri Modi rightly stated that for that to happen, an environment of trust, devoid of terror and hostility, was imperative between them. Both countries would benefit from peaceful co-existence but both need to rein in or neutralise fundamentalists, which is a challenge that is not insurmountable. Sri Modi should match his gesture through overtly reining in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, especially who pogroms against Indian Muslims. This leads to fundamentalists in Pakistan reacting with a terrible…

Mpofu behaved like a spoilt child THE conduct of advocate dali Mpofu towards Minister Pravin Gordhan and advocate Michelle Le Roux, his legal counsel, and a civilian in the gallery was nothing but disgraceful at the Zondo Commission into allegations of state capture last week. It was the very same Mpofu who scurried to attack Gordhan accusing him of racism, arrogance and showing no respect for the beleaguered Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane. Advocate Le Roux’s question to Gordhan was pertinent – all she wanted to know was how her client felt being labelled a racist by Tom Moyane despite Gordhan’s unquestionable struggle credentials. Mpofu’s colossal ego kicked in when he had no control mechanism to manage the learned Le Roux. He resorted to uncouth behaviour and shouted at Le Roux…

Big Brother is watching HAMILTON Ndlovu, a businessman, was so overwhelmed after his business secured additional contracts that he went on social media to flaunt his five new cars worth R10 million. The celebrations went viral on social media and this sent out alarm signals to the SA Revenue Service. He was nabbed and issued with a R36 million fine for not filing his tax returns since 2016. This incident sends out a clear message to moonlighters, corrupt businessmen and politicians who dabble in money laundering and not declaring income. Big Brother is watching. You will be traced back to the trail. There is truth in the adage that only two things in life are certain – death and taxes. Ask Hamilton Ndlovu. KEVIN GOVENDER Shallcross…

FORCED TO ISOLATE Moms stressed about contracting Covid: study THE Covid-19 pandemic has increased stress for expectant mothers and postpartum women in the US, a new study has revealed. The findings indicated that one of the women’s biggest concerns was their babies contracting the virus. Some women said they would be forced to isolate from their newborns if they contracted the virus in hospitals. “Pregnant women are really stressed about contracting Covid-19,” said Celestina Barbosa-Leiker, the study’s lead author from the Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane in the US. “They have a lot of questions for their health-care providers. There’s a lot we do not know yet. It’s especially stressful for the moms.” For the study, published in the journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, the team analysed the survey…

PROTEAS BEING LINED UP Pakistan prefer the white ball PAKISTAN head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has said that it is easier to adjust to conditions in South Africa when one is playing white-ball cricket as compared to the longest format of the game. Pakistan is slated to square off against South Africa in three ODIs and three T20Is. The first ODI will be played on Friday at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. "I think especially with white-ball cricket, the pitches are very good, they're true pitches, with good bounce and pace and for batters. In white-ball cricket, it is easier to adjust to these conditions and you get good value for shots. Obviously, “Pakistan has also always had the luxury of good fast bowlers. That is the reason Pakistan has done well…

KINGFISHER SHOWS HOW TO REEL THEM IN Fish on bite in good conditions THE fishing has been very good for shore and boat anglers this past week. With the conditions starting to settle, the fish have started to become a bit more predictable. The rock and surf fishing has been a mix of shad (big and small) and some better inedibles including zambezi sharks, diamond rays and the odd giant sandshark. Fresh bait has made a big difference in the speed of the bite, so try your best. The north coast points and deeper beaches have seen some good fish landed and a handful of giants lost. The deep water points along the north coast have all been productive on the pushing tide. A fresh mackerel bait on a good…