Table of contents for 2022-03-16 in Post

Janine Moodley janine.moodley@inl.co.za PANIC buying of sunflower oil has resulted in empty shelves or low stock levels at most supermarkets in Durban. As a result, most retailers have been forced to limit the quantity of edible oil a customer can buy. The buying frenzy started as prices rocketed, following the conflict involving Russia and Ukraine. Together, the two countries account for 75% production of sunflower oil globally. The price of five litres of cooking oil is currently between R150 to R180. However, according to the Willowton Group, prices are expected to rise to between R200 and R250 for five litres. The Willowton Group is South Africa’s largest sunflower seed crusher. Thomas Mielke, a UK oil expert, said about 1.2 million tons of sunflower oil was due to be exported from…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za WHEN Tony Naidoo left home to take a bus to work on Sunday morning, his family expected him to return that afternoon. But moments after leaving, a neighbour knocked at their door to tell them Naidoo was dead. The 52-year-old, a supervisor at Marshall Security, was shot in the mouth and shoulder. The incident happened about two minutes away from his home in Redfern, Phoenix. Natalie Pillay, his granddaughter, said the neighbour heard gunshots and a car speed off. “His killing comes across as if it were a drive-by shooting. I don’t know who would want to harm him. He was hard-working and was innocently going to work,” said Pillay. She said Naidoo had worked in the security industry for 30 years and was the breadwinner in…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za A MOSQUE in Lenasia was ransacked and desecrated on Friday morning and the worshippers were called Satanists. Seven armed robbers also tied up the security guard and stole a minibus that belonged to the Musallah Fatah mosque on Nirvana Drive. The vehicle, stripped for its parts, was found later that day in Anchorville, about 5km away. Khalid Khan, a worshipper at the 10-year-old family-owned mosque, said he arrived at about 4.15am to do the Adhan (Islamic call to prayer). “The guard generally waits at the gate, but that morning the gate and the mosque door were closed. I sensed something was wrong. I hooted and called for the guard but he didn’t respond. I opened the front gate, entered the premises and called out for him again.…

Latoya Newman latoya.newman@inl.co.za ROXANNE Ross-Manikkam, the first female commercial diver at the Port of Durban, is often referred to as “Maverick Manikkam”. Over the years, she gained a reputation for unorthodox achievements in her field, thus the nickname. Born and raised in Newlands East, the 38-year-old credited her upbringing for her independent thinking and perseverance. “My parents had five daughters. My family owned a piping and fabrication company, so we were exposed to construction, but it wasn’t about the industry. I think, for my parents, it was more about empowering us as women from young. “For example, they made sure we knew the basics like learning to drive a car and changing a tyre. We were kept aware that just because we were five daughters, it didn’t mean we could…

PONKS “Rajender” Maharaj was a laaitie of 15 when he was recruited to the navy in 1977. He only turned the required age of 16 later that year. He saw the advert while in Standard 7. With six brothers and a sister, Maharaj believed the navy provided an opportunity to make life easier at home. Maharaj said the first few months – before they got a liberty pass to visit their families – was tough. “But I was never a loser so I didn’t think of quitting and going home,” he said. On his first visit home, his family were impressed with his milk-white suit and shiny buttons. However, first, he had to search for them because his family were forced to move from their old home in central Pietermaritzburg…

UNLIKE his brothers-in-arms, Dusty Nayager found the first 11 months in the navy easy. “We had to scrub toilets, wash floors, iron clothes, shine floors and have an inspection every morning. “But it wasn't hard for me because I was used to cleaning the house,” he said. Once Nayager’s initial training was over, he wanted to be a radio technician and studied at the ML Sultan Technikon in Durban, and later at the Wingfield Naval College in Cape Town. He thereafter spent seven years at sea on a strike craft. In 1987, Nayager was part of the search and rescue mission that went to the site of the Helderberg plane crash off the coast of Mauritius. Nayager was woken up by the navy’s duty driver in the early hours of…

“They knew how to break and make you, iyoh iyoh,” recalled Neville Narainsamy reflecting on his first year of training at the SAS Jalsena base on Salisbury Island. He said the recruits followed instructions to the letter. If they did anything wrong, it would be “opfok” time after 4pm, when they would be subjected to a gruelling round of battle physical training. “Those days were very hard because SA was at war with Angola and they were training us for war.” Narainsamy studied engineering and completed a gunnery course. At one time he was the only Indian in charge of all the gunners on a strike craft. His longest time on the water was 21 days on a strike craft – or puke craft – as it was known, because…

The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has issued a red notice for two members of the wealthy but now disgraced Gupta family, Atul and Rajesh Gupta. This could now pave the way for their arrest and extradition from the United Arab Emirates to face fraud and money-laundering charges in South Africa. The Guptas – who at their height owned a business empire spanning computer equipment, media, and mining – are close friends of former president Jacob Zuma. A judicial commission of inquiry into state capture recently found that, with Zuma’s help, they orchestrated massive corruption. What is Interpol, and what does it do? Interpol is an inter-governmental organisation aiming to help connect police agencies across the globe. It’s headquartered in Lyon, France. Its primary purpose is to create a framework…

FOLLOWING the invitation for applications by public advertisement, the eThekwini Municipality is in the process of appointing a new city manager on a fixed-term contract. Sipho Nzuza was the last incumbent. He was on fully paid leave despite being suspended. Nzuza was allegedly involved in the R400 million solid waste tender scandal. I hope the municipality appoints an outstanding, extraordinary, innovative person with a proven track record in executive management. The city needs such a person after it failed to execute its primary constitutional obligation of providing effective and timeous service delivery. Yet despite this, the gloating still persists. The municipality can ill-afford a tepid and mediocre appointee, political lackey or crony. In my umpteen years of working at the old and current metro, I know what the city needs.…

Professor Frikkie Maré IN WILLIAM Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, Mark Antony utters the words: “Cry ‘Havoc!’, and let slip the dogs of war,” after learning about the murder of Julius Caesar. With these words he meant that chaos would ensue (havoc) to create the opportunity for violence (let slip the dogs of war). The recent invasion (or military operation, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin) by Russian armed forces into Ukraine brought the famous words of Shakespeare to mind. Putin cried “Havoc!” and his troops created chaos in Ukraine. This is, however, not where it stopped because the dogs of war have been released into the rest of the world. What is the impact on South Africa? The day after the invasion, we felt the bite of the dogs of…

Nonjabulo Bhengu nonjabulo.bhengu@inl.co.za THE International ARTS Talent Showcase has catapulted model and dancer Duran Moodley’s career on to the international stage. Moodley appeared on the TV show Live Your Dream, broadcast on DStv channel 147, last July. The show strived to find the next generation of South African actors, singers, models, dancers and voice-over artists. It was hosted in partnership with The International ARTS Talent Showcase. Moodley, 26, won the grand prize and will represent South Africa in New York City at The International Modelling and Talent Convention. He also won a $60 000 (about R903 000) scholarship to attend Amda College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. Moodley, who was born in Durban and now lives in Joburg, said he heard about the audition in a…

Eshlin Vedan eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za MANNING Rangers legend Clinton Larsen earned his stripes as a professional player at Chatsworth-based Manning Rangers when the club won the inaugural Premiership title in 1996. His exploits at the Mighty Maulers saw him move to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates. After hanging up his boots, he took to coaching and has now returned to the sprawling Durban suburb to coach amateur side Summerfield Dynamos. It is at the Chatsworth-based Dynamos that Larsen is finding his mojo again after taking his men to the quarter-finals of the lucrative Nedbank Cup tournament. Dynamos’ next clash will be against the mighty Mamelodi Sundowns. They reached the quarter-finals of the competition following their 1-0 win over Black Eagles in the round of 16 last weekend at the Chatsworth Stadium. By reaching…

Wendy Jasson Da Costa wendy.jdc@inl.co.za A HIGH court in India has ruled the hijab (headscarf) is not an essential part of religious practice for Muslim women. The ruling by a full bench of the Karnataka High Court this week means Muslim girls in the state of Karnataka do not have the legal right to wear the hijab to attend classes. Immediately after the judgment, the girls at the centre of the legal battle spoke to media houses in India and said they would continue their fight. They would also continue to wear the hijab. “We are feeling betrayed by our own country. They are just saying that hijab is not important, while (the) Qur’an clearly says the hijab is mandatory,” said one of the girls. Another said they would not…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za THE family of a Phoenix car guard, who was knocked over and later died in hospital, wants justice. Dayanand Barath, 51, of Caneside, had been walking to his workplace at a nearby mall when he was knocked over on Longcroft Drive last Tuesday. He suffered a head injury and died in hospital. Neermala Shuthergoon, his niece, said: “We were told my uncle stepped on to the road when a car came out of nowhere and hit him at full speed. Witnesses said my uncle was thrown into the air, hit the car’s windscreen, and landed in front of the vehicle. We were told by the doctor that he had suffered a skull injury and brain damage.” Shuthergoon said her uncle worked as a car guard for a…

Janine Moodley janine.moodley@inl.co.za Thigam Nathoo, a Durban chef and academic director of the South African Hospitality Institute, said coconut and canola oils were good cooking alternatives to sunflower oil. She said while coconut oil was not cheap, less oil was required when cooking. “Coconut oil can also be used for frying. In most parts of South India, they only use coconut oil for everything,” said Nathoo. The average price of a litre tub of coconut oil is R70, and R350 for five litres. The average price for canola oil is R40 a litre and R200 for five litres. To save oil, she also recommended air frying or preparing meals in the oven. “Try different cooking methods such as roasting, stir-frying, grilling, steaming or baking. Replace oil with cooking spray. Even…

Janine Moodley janine.moodley@inl.co.za NALINI Maharaj, a shortlisted candidate to become the next chairperson of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), believes she is the perfect fit for the job. She says she is fearless, able to hold people to account, and can easily work under pressure. During a recent announcement by the Office of the Chief Justice, Maharaj, a human rights activist and attorney, was among the 12 candidates shortlisted. Glen Mashinini, the current IEC chairperson, will end his term on April 16. The interview panel, chaired by Justice Raymond Zondo, has given the public until next Tuesday to comment on the shortlisted candidates before further interviews commence on April 1. Maharaj, 46, formerly of Greytown, lives in Joburg with her 14-year-old daughter. She has been an attorney for…

MERGAN Naidoo played a leading role in getting his brothers-in-arms together for their 45th reunion. He is still reaching out across the globe to make contact with those who have not yet been in touch with the organising committee. He said planning for the event started three months ago. Finally about 30 of the men enjoyed a boys’ night out on Friday, and then a dinner and dance with their partners at Blue Lagoon Conference Centre on Saturday. Now stationed in Johannesburg, Naidoo and a few of the members met five years ago and since then they have located many of the old boys. “We are now between 60 and 64 years old and we have also lost a few members due to illness,” he said. Naidoo, who is originally…

IT SEEMS the only organisation that is against the petrol price increase and is vocal about it, is PAPPI (People Against Petrol Price Increase) and its convener Visvin Reddy. This organisation is making the public aware that there are solutions to the petrol price hikes, if the government is prepared to listen. The only time our government listens, is through rolling mass action. We need to change the government’s stance on purchasing crude oil and by using our own resources. At the moment, South Africa purchases its crude oil from OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) countries. OPEC seems to be like another cartel that demands that countries buy oil from them at an exorbitant price. But Venezuela, which has the largest oil reserves in the world at 300.9…

WITH reference to the column, “Religious tolerance is a two-way street” (POST, March 9-13) by Michael Swain, the executive director of Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA). Swain was accurate in his explanation that the court case between a Hindu organisation and Simeon Chetty was not hate speech. Chetty was given the opportunity at an open-air church service to give his testimony on how he came to Jesus. The following facts apply to all Hindus who convert to other religions. Some Hindus expose ignorance of the most essential teachings of their faith more than others. Very few take the trouble to study the essentials of Hinduism. They prefer instead to engage in the performance of rituals, many of which have little significance. I would have had some respect for…

IT TAKES a trusted bridge builder to carry on despite the negative responses that you, as the editor, have had to receive. Yes, I am writing about the experiences of Muslim women regarding the hijab in India. So I pen this letter of appreciation. Thank you, Mr Editor, for your editorials and public interest articles. History, I assure you, will hold you out as the person who took difficult, emotive topics and published them for discussion. With regard to the hijab story, you succeeded in many ways and no, it was not an issue that respondents trivialised. Just like the story of Sunali Pillay, whose mother challenged a school ban regarding a nose stud that her daughter used as a symbol of a young Hindu woman coming of age, the…

Janine Moodley and Wendy Jasson Da Costa Amaanat shareholders, many with no other source of income, fear they will lose out on their investments following allegations of theft from the multimillion-rand investment property group. Widows, pensioners, families and charity organisations invested in Amanaat Investment Holdings (AIH), which owns several residential and commercial buildings. It is believed the company has investments totalling R1 billion. This week a shareholder told POST: “It’s a shame because people invested their hard-earned cash and they were getting good dividends, so people just invested more and more.” Another investor, who declined to be named, said everyone in her family had shares, and they had no choice but to “ride it out” in the hope that the money they invested would not be lost. She said…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za A VERULAM mother has been granted bail but her son remains in police custody after they were charged with murder. Cynthia Vatharajoo, 43, a reservationist at a hotel, and her son, Sashen Naidoo, 24, who is unemployed, appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday. They were represented by attorney Jaydene Kisten. It is alleged that Naidoo stabbed his mother's partner, Dilo Subramoney Pillay, multiple times after an altercation at their home in Trenance Park, Verulam, on Saturday. Pillay, 47, a manager at a car wash in uMhlanga, died at the scene. Vatharajoo and Pillay were in a relationship for about four years and they have a 3-year-old child together. In Vatharajoo’s application for bail, she said she had a protection order against Pillay and that there…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za CAMERON Naidoo had planned on taking the day off work to celebrate his daughter’s second birthday on Wednesday. Instead, his funeral was held at weekend. The 23-year-old from Westcliff in Chatsworth was travelling on the N2 last Tuesday afternoon when the vehicle he was travelling in allegedly went off the road, crashed into a barrier and landed in a riverine bush. Naidoo, who worked for a courier company, was a passenger and died at the scene, along with the driver. Naidoo’s wife, Caroline, said her husband and his colleague were returning to Durban from Umgababa after work. “We are not sure what happened, but Cameron was going to be dropped off at home. We are now waiting for the police to provide us with information. This will…

sharron duff ARIES (March 21 – April 19) This is your time to shine so embrace it. Take what’s on offer and make it work. This is coming to you to make a difference, so trust and go with it. Everything is working in your favour. Lucky colour: yellow. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Time heals all so let it go and find peace with your past. This does not define who you are now. An opportunity to mend bridges may be presented to you, so take the olive branch and move on. Lucky colour: turquoise. GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) Someone may be coming into your personal life to bring you joy. Spiritual connections are around you this week but not only as love connections. Don’t turn…

JOINING the navy was a spur-of-the-moment decision for Gabriel Joseph, a consummate entertainer and household name among music lovers in Durban. Newly matriculated and with no solid plans for his future, Joseph, always the adventurer, said “yes” when his best friend Elvis told him about the naval recruitment process. Having been in the scouts and loving the outdoors made it a no-brainer, and so off he and Elvis went to join all the other young men who dreamed of a life on the high seas. Joseph said once they passed all the mandatory tests, they were immediately stuffed into oversized Durban corporation-like blue overalls and sent to cut their hair. Overnight they were transformed from boys to men. “I still had baby hair on my face but I was told…

DANNY Vincent survived one of South Africa’s biggest naval disasters and lived to tell the tale. In February 1982, three naval frigates, the SAS Tafelberg, the SAS President Kruger and the SAS President Pretorius, and a submarine were conducting exercises in the ocean off Cape Point. At 4.45am on February 12, the SAS President Kruger collided with the SAS Tafelberg. Sixteen crew members on the SAS President Kruger died on impact, said Vincent. At the time of the collision, he was steering the SAS President Kruger. “I heard the sound but there is nothing you can do until you get an order from the captain to abandon ship,” he said. Because the ship was listing to one side, they only managed to launch some of the lifeboats. Many of them…

IN KEEPING with the directive from the SAPS in eThekwini, a process to relaunch and elect community policing forums (CPFs) has begun. Congratulations to all the new members who were elected. The increase in crime affects every community. Criminals have become a law unto themselves. Drive-by shootings and hijackings are a common occurrence. This proves that criminals have no respect. It was sad that only a few residents attended some of the CPF meetings. It is critical that everyone stands up against crime. Don’t pretend it’s none of your business, and don’t look the other way. Don’t rely on your neighbour. To me, that is being selfish and cruel. I have come to accept the painful truth that some residents just don’t care. That is why there is not enough…

Durban family devastated as drag race accident victim succumbs to his injuries: Kesavan Moodally: Blame the driver of the FAW for hindering traffic, irrespective of whether a race was taking place or not. It’s just utter stupidity at its highest level. The sad part about this whole incident is that the authorities are well aware of what goes on here but they will act only when something tragic like this happens. Christina Pillay: Drag racing will never stop. People have been doing it for ages and they will find a way to continue. No law can stop them. It’s people who need to make choices. Their stupidity is what gets them killed. The bystanders saw the driver was reckless but they cheered. They saw it was dangerous but they did…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za MORE than 15 600 sexual offence victims are still waiting for their court cases to be finalised. This is according to a recent parliamentary reply by Ronald Lamola, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services. The DA had asked questions about the backlog of sexual offences matters as of January 31 last year and this year. Lamola said the total number of backlogged cases as of December 31, 2021, was 15 605. A figure was not provided for January 31, 2022. Lamola said a draft Backlog Reduction Framework was in its final stages of approval. The framework includes two priority areas – an agreement on the fast-tracking and prioritisation of gender-based violence matters, as well as matters involving children. Werner Horn, the DA’s shadow deputy minister of…

OWN Correspondent THE shore angling has been fantastic, the North Coast has had a lot of colour in the water but this can be a blessing and a curse. Too much colour and the fish don’t bite, too little and they are very finicky. Chokka has been one of the standouts on the bait side with most anglers reporting catches on either chokka alone or a mix of chokka and a fleshy bait. Tugela and the surrounds have seen a lot of smaller kob and a mix of other edibles. Chokka and redeye sardines have been the most productive baits along the North Coast. The central coast has been fishing well, the basin area has seen some good flatfish being caught including diamond rays, giant sandies and some big brown…