Table of contents for 2022-02-09 in Post

Duff is a psychic medium, soul coach, spiritual mentor, healer and animal communicator. She has been connecting with spirit for more than 20 years and runs her business, Quantum Soul, from Waterfall in KwaZulu-Natal. Watch her weekly predictions on GlowTV on Sundays after 8pm with Denver Naicker on the Get Real Show. She can be contacted at 072 986 5514 or email sharron@quantsoul.com sharron duff ARIES (March 21 – April 19) Look for things that bring you joy and take some time out to enjoy them. Believe in your abilities and skills because you are enough. Pay attention to your intuition and let it guide you. Lucky colour: green. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) New resources or opportunities to make money are in your space this week. There is…

Gary Lewandowski FLIRTING comes in many forms: a casual gaze that lingers a half second longer than necessary, a light touch, an amorous expression, an overenthusiastic laugh during conversation, or even some playful or overtly sexual banter. Regardless of the technique employed, flirting aims to fulfil one purpose: stimulate sexual interest. To be clear, though, flirting may not have the explicit goal of having sex or even physical intimacy of any kind. A person may flirt simply to pass the time, to feel close, to see if they’ve got it, or because it’s fun. Flirting motivations differ by gender. Big surprise. Men’s flirting is more motivated by sex, while women’s flirting is more motivated by having fun or becoming closer to another person. Self-esteem and flirting When done well, flirting…

The capacity of the security services must be strengthened to effectively respond to all situations. They must use all the lawful levers available to them, in particular the need to intercept communications, in a lawful manner, where the security of the State is at stake. The technological capacity of the security services must be strengthened. The executive must be better co-ordinated and aligned, and the National Security Council must lead in security policy co-ordination. The National Intelligence Co-ordination Committee’s role in strategic intelligence co-ordination needs to be affirmed. All levels of government must seriously attend to the socio-economic challenges facing the country. The panel said it would be failing in its duty if it did not express the profound frustration, particularly from civil society, business and security sector delegations that…

The Cabinet must take overall responsibility for the events of July 2021. The Cabinet must drive a national response plan that demonstrates its own willingness to be held accountable, and to hold the public office bearers who failed in their responsibilities to account. It must give regular feedback on what is happening to ensure those who planned and instigated the violence are being brought to book. The National Security Council (NSC) must meet regularly and function more effectively. They are supposed to take decisions on matters presenting the highest threat to the security of the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa should ensure that a national security strategy is urgently developed for the country. We need a strategy that binds us to consciously act together irrespective of our political affiliation or social…

LOAD shedding is the deliberate shut down of a part or parts of a power distribution system – generally to prevent the failure of the entire system when the demand puts strain on the capacity of the system. During load shedding, parts of the network are switched off according to a predetermined schedule with the impact spread equitably over Eskom’s customer base. Load shedding is predictable and allows for customers to plan accordingly, but there should be no load shedding. South Africa is a tourist destination. Tourists stay in hotels, they need food, they must bath and iron their clothes. These people will become sceptical about travelling to our country because there is no electricity. Eskom can overcome load shedding by looking at other ways of generating electricity. For…

Water finally restored in Umzinto following violent protests: Denise Parasuramen Murugan Rajman: So, people had to burn and protest just to have their basic needs? Wow. We are doomed. David Chinnappen: This is the new form of communication. Things get done. Zarina Ally: We in Trenance Park, in Verulam, have no water for 13 days. In 13 days it came on for only an hour or two between 2.30am and 3.30am, and 4.30am and 5.30am. It's difficult, especially with this heat. Vashika R Naidoo: Water is a basic need. To survive a day without it is difficult enough, I can't imagine a whole month without it. Chantal Govender: So, people must protest to have basic needs? What’s happening in this country? Corruption is playing a vital role in all…

WE owe them so much, and yet health and care workers often lack the protection, the equipment, the training, the decent pay, the safe working conditions and the respect they deserve. This is an observation that resonates with the nursing profession in South Africa today. If we have any hope of achieving a healthier, safer, fairer future for our nurses, we must protect and invest in the health and care workforce as a matter of urgency. These are the impressions I got during my recent stay in hospital, although the nurses and care workers are much better off at the private hospital where I was undergoing treatment. As I recuperate at home, I say thank you to the people who keep health care moving in this country. They play a…

THE dismal fate of Zimbabwe under the stewardship of the Zanu-PF government has long stood out as a warning to South Africa’s governing party, the ANC. Yet rarely has South Africa been in more danger of launching into a trajectory of Zimbabwe-like decline than now. The South African media is thoroughly consumed with the political crisis within the ANC: the rampant factionalism, the massive corruption, the “capture” of the state by the practice of “cadre deployment”, and the resulting decline in the party’s poll ratings. There are genuine fears (or hopes) that the party will lose its electoral majority at the next general election in 2024. From this follows the most fundamental question of all: If the ANC lost its majority at the next election, as the Zanu-PF did in…

Nonjabulo Bhengu nonjabulo.bhengu@inl.co.za SCHOOLS returned to full-time learning on Monday – two years after South Africa entered a hard lockdown and rotational lessons. On Sunday, Angie Motshekga, the Minister of Basic Education, said the decision was made following discussions with the Council of Education Ministers, the heads of the education departments committee, and social partners. Discussions were also held with teacher unions, school governing bodies, civil society, the school principals’ associations and associations for learners with special education needs. “In all the engagements, however, there was overwhelming support for the full return of learners to daily attendance. As a sector, we remain mindful of the fact that Covid-19 is still with us,” said Motshekga. “All of us have a direct responsibility to ensure that we prevent the spread of this…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za A GUARDING manager at Eagle Eye Protection in Tongaat was robbed, shot and killed on Monday. Poobalan “June” Govender, 58, of Flamingo Heights, was waiting to pick up guards outside Gwala’s Farm in Tongaat when he was robbed at gunpoint and shot in the abdomen. He died at the scene. Shoorveer Maharaj, the general manager of the private security company, said the father of two worked for them for eight years. “He was a gentle soul who went the extra mile to help others. June loved his job. We are devastated by this loss to our team and his family. But we are grateful for his service and contributions to the company." Maharaj said that according to information they received, three men opened the driver’s door, stole…

Janine Moodley janine.moodley@inl.co.za TEVIN John, a former Phoenix schoolboy, admitted to falling asleep at the wheel of his mother’s car when he crashed into four municipal plumbers. The plumbers were trying to fix a leak on Tatford Road, in Sunford, Phoenix, nearly seven years ago. One of them lost his leg, while another lost his life. John, who was 17 and an unlicensed driver at the time, said he had been studying for his trial examinations and decided to use his mother's car, a red VW Polo. Last Monday, John, now 24, pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and driving without a valid driving licence. In August 2015, John, who had a learner’s licence, lost control of the vehicle and drove into Kevin Roopnarain, 36, Velenkosi Mpungose, 38, Aldane Scheepers, 36,…

Shane McMahon’s firing from the WWE by his multi-billionaire dad and owner Vince, has been all the rage since the Royal Rumble. Independent’s Glenn Schouw takes a close look at what went down. SO what pain was worse for Shane McMahon, son of WWE owner and multi-billionaire Vince McMahon? Was it being fired this week by his enraged dad after getting his way in the recent Royal Rumble? Or was it in 2016 when he dived from a 6m high cage targeting the Undertaker? Needless to say the 2.1m Undertaker, real name Mark Calaway, evaded Shane who crashed into the commentators’ table. His injuries included a blown out belly button and an umbilical hernia – it…

On August 5, 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed an expert panel to investigate what led to the violence between July 8 and 17, 2021, which left 354 people dead and thousands injured. The economy suffered a loss of R50 billion. The panel was chaired by Professor Sandy Africa and included Silumko Sokupa and advocate Mojankunyane Gumbi. Michael Sarjoo was the panel’s secretary. The weakness of state institutions generally, high unemployment, particularly among the youth, as well as high levels of poverty, inequality and unsuitable living conditions provided the context for the violence. Rampant government corruption, state capture and the frustration caused by Covid-19 added to feelings of despair. The National Intelligence Co-ordination Committee repeatedly warned that if left unattended, the above issues posed a threat to State security. The panel…

The private security industry played an important role in protecting the targeted economic infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA), the body that regulates the security industry, received calls from security services providers (SSPs) during the unrest. They requested that PSIRA ask police management and ministers to allow the SSPs to assist in defending infrastructure under attack. PSIRA told the panel that had there been better co-ordination between the SAPS and the SSPs, they would have mitigated the extent of the unrest and violence. PSIRA took steps to investigate whether or not SSPs had been involved in killings, especially in Phoenix. The authority pointed out that most of the accusations could not be proved. In some cases, neither the victims nor the police were able…

Social media was used to instigate the violence and to organise and carry it out. The violence spread through Tweets, WhatsApp messages, Facebook and other media. From social media, there was a clear trail of evidence and as a result several people could be apprehended and charged. Security services seemed to be confused by social media as they were unable to process it properly and respond. Businesses also used social media to organise ways to defend themselves – it was fast, inexpensive and efficient. The role of traditional media, with trained and ethical journalists, was a critical factor in the information that was provided.…

National and provincial governments and most of civil society believe there was a major intelligence failure relating to the July unrest. The intelligence community said it gave sufficient warning on the levels of dissatisfaction among the population and the dangers and possible consequences of this. The panel was informed that some “products” were shared directly with the president, as it should be, and when it came to others, the former minister of state security said she wanted to share them directly with Ramaphosa, but did not get an opportunity to do so. The panel did not see those “products”. Both sides agreed that neither the politicians nor security services anticipated how the violence would unfold, perhaps because it was partly organised and partly spontaneous. The failure of reliable intelligence on…

The National Security Council (NSC) is at the apex of government structures in matters of national security. Chaired by the president, it is responsible for issues like the approval of the National Security Strategy, the National Intelligence Estimate and the National Intelligence Priorities. Of concern to the investigating panel was that the NSC did not meet regularly before July 2021, despite warnings by the National Intelligence Co-ordination Council that it was going to be a volatile year. Throughout the first half of 2021, there were periodic outbreaks of violent protests, and increased mobilisation for protests. Tensions kept rising, especially on the political front, as the tug-of-war around Jacob Zuma’s Constitutional Court case unfolded. The NSC’s failure to meet is only partly mitigated by the fact that the security structures…

THE headline screamer on the front page of POST “Water Wars” (February 2-6) is slowly destroying KwaZulu-Natal. The water crisis is nothing new and it is crumbling in most municipalities throughout the province. With the intermittent water supply in most areas, it is a disappointment. This is forcing residents to take to the streets out of desperation. It was even more disappointing that in spite of being invited by the residents, some councillors did not turn up to hear their pleas. Before the elections, all the politicians made their promises to deliver. Most municipalities are facing this crisis as a result a lack of technical skills and management incompetence. We as residents have a right to clean water and municipalities are failing dismally in providing basic needs. Regrettably, the…

IT IS revolting that in this day and age when an establishment labels its customers according to race when presenting the bill. According to reports, a staff member at the Old Grey Sports Club in Gqerberha referred to a patron as “Indian” on the bill. Racism is a hydra-headed monster that has humiliated black people since time immemorial. The latest incident is a crude exercise in racism by stealth and deception. It is distasteful and offensive, and this incident is a frequent occurrence in our democracy – without being noticed by the larger society. The evils of racism will continue to batter our social fabric. If we remain silent, we perpetuate the notion that the display of prejudice does not matter. FAROUK ARAIE Gauteng…

No shame at all THE Beijing Winter Olympics which is under way in the Chinese capital has seen plenty of sporting action. But it has also seen the birth of a new world order with two distinct camps emerging. Despite the freezing weather, relations between China and Russia have warmed considerably. Russia has Chinese backing over Ukraine while China has Russian support over Taiwan. This puts both countries in a camp against America. American diplomats boycotted the winter Games as did her allies like the UK, Australia and Canada on the basis that China has a poor human rights record. Hours before the opening ceremony, India also imposed a diplomatic boycott of the Games. This came after a Chinese commander who was involved in a border fight with Indian troops…

Janine Moodley janine.moodley@inl.co.za POLICE arrested two suspects after three men shot and killed a teenage boy in Sydenham, Durban. A third suspect ran away. Jarrell Somana was walking on Butcher Road on Sunday afternoon when he was shot repeatedly. It is alleged that the gunmen got out of a vehicle and fired at the 17-year-old, who lived in Wentworth. Jarrell ran into nearby premises and allegedly tried to hide under a bus parked on the property but the gunmen followed and continued to shoot at him. He died at the scene. Jarrell’s family said they had not yet come to terms with his killing. “We really don’t know what to say,” said Cookie Edwards, his maternal grandmother. “For a life to be taken at such a young age is…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za NEXT Thursday, Waylon Stevens intended to travel to Piet Retief in Mpumalanga to live with a relative. While there, he planned to train, and later work as a mechanical fitter and turner. But he was shot dead in Wentworth in Durban last Tuesday night. While walking to a friend’s home, a gunman allegedly approached Stevens on Silvertree Road and shot the 21-year-old in the neck. Stevens later died in hospital. His father, Gary Stevens, was at home with his wife when he heard the gunshot. “Soon after Waylon left home, we heard the gunshot. We ran outside and my wife saw him lying on the corner of the road and someone running away. We ran to our son.” A neighbour helped transport him to the hospital. “But…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za THE former Chief Justice of South Africa, Mogoeng Mogoeng, has apologised for his alleged pro-Israel comments. In June 2020, Justice Mogoeng was featured on a webinar hosted by the Jerusalem Post alongside Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein. In the online programme, Justice Mogoeng expressed what some interpreted as his love for Israel. He also criticised the ANC for its approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict. #Africa4Palestine, a human rights and Palestine solidarity organisation, previously known as Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), reported Justice Mogoeng to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC). The report was on the basis that a judge should not become involved in political controversy or activity. In the complaint, the group said his conduct was improper for a judge. In March last year, the JSC’s Judicial Conduct…

Janine Moodley janine.moodley@inl.co.za SOME of the victims who were duped by two travel scamsters are pleased they are paying for their crimes. Megasen Roland Chetty, 38, and Sarasvathi Belinda Pillay, 47, were given 10 years of imprisonment on 18 charges of fraud in the Durban Regional Court on Friday. They defrauded several victims of their money, amounting to R1.2 million. Chetty and Pillay posed as travel agents and promised the victims discounted holidays abroad and locally. They won the trust of victims and then used them as referrals. The couple were arrested in May last year after Detective Constable Justin Durugiah, of the Provincial Commercial Crime Investigations, linked them to fraud cases in Chatsworth, Phoenix, Malvern, Town Hill, Tongaat, Wentworth, Westville and Durban Central. They pleaded guilty to all counts…

THE weather has not been the friendliest of late but the fishing has been firing. The offshore fishing has been a bit bumpy with the winds we’ve had recently. This being said, the fishing has been very good! The central coast has been productive. The river mouths have done well for the snoek anglers. These fish can be frustrating, but as long as you fish light and make sure your lures/baits are swimming straight, you should fool a few. Going slightly deeper to the wrecks and reefs has seen anglers get some couta. Purple flashers as well as chartreuse have been the most reported colours. The deeper drop-offs have produced good-sized tuna for those trolling skirted lures and high speed lipped lures. If you see any floating structure, take a…

Kas Naidoo TODAY more than ever, with our smartphones, communicating with a large number of people is ridiculously easy. But are we actually connecting with people on a deeper level? As human beings, we all need connection, not just in the business world or in personal relationships, but on a much deeper soul level. Now, I love technology and innovation. I see it as a solution to some of our larger challenges. However, just like too much good food can create health issues, too much technology can create isolation. As a relationship coach and matchmaker, I advise my single clients to get to know a new person by meeting them face to face. When you’re texting someone you don’t know, miscommunication is easy. You cannot read their expression or see…

The police failed to stop the rioting and looting in July 2021. The reasons are complex and sometimes not of their making. In some instances, police did not receive any intelligence upon which to plan operations. It’s unclear why at least six members of the senior leadership of Crime Intelligence were suspended in the period leading up to the unrest. It would be difficult for an organisation that was hollowed out in that manner to rise to the occasion in times of crisis. Overall, we have come to the conclusion that there was a failure by the intelligence structures to anticipate and respond adequately to the violence. Our findings are based on the following observations: l The failure of the relevant state institutions to conduct timely risk assessments, despite the…

The ringleaders of the violence have remained faceless to the public. No organised movement came forward to claim responsibility for the acts of violence or to justify the violence in the name of a cause. Claims by General Bheki Cele, the Police Minister, that they had identified 12 instigators who would be brought to book, resulted in disappointment when only a handful of individuals were identified based on their social media accounts. If it is true that there was a mastermind behind the violence, his or her actions may be seen as terrorist activity as they breach the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act, 2004. The act defines terrorist activity as actions that cause major economic loss or extensive destabilisation of an economic system or devastation…

POST REPORTER BOLLYWOOD superstar Lata Mangeshkar, fondly known as the Nightingale of India, died on Sunday morning at the age of 92. Mangeshkar’s high-pitched melodies were a uniquely recognisable feature of Indian cinema, with her work appearing in more than 1 000 films. She died in a Mumbai hospital after being admitted to its intensive care unit several weeks ago with Covid symptoms. According to a report by AFP, Mangeshkar was born in 1929 in Indore, central India, and started her musical training under the tutelage of her father Deenanath, singing in his theatrical productions when she was just five. Her dad’s death, when she was 13, forced her to take on the role of breadwinner for four younger siblings, and the family eventually moved to Mumbai in 1945. There,…

MY NAME is Onershree Rajoo. I am 33 years old, a Hindu and vegetarian from Durban. I am outgoing and smart and enjoy travelling, cooking, going out, playing board games and doing jigsaw puzzles. I am looking for a guy between 33 and 39. He must also be Hindu, a vegetarian, from Durban, romantic, trustworthy, honest, faithful and want a long-term relationship leading to marriage in a few years. He must enjoy travelling, be respectful, willing to accept me for who I am, modern, affectionate and traditional. | I AM a 50-year-old Hindi-speaking gent and an auditor. I am a non-drinker/smoker and in search of a woman with morals and standards. I am employed by a large organisation – for about 22 years – and am financially secure.…

THE basic income grant is a matter of grave concern. Whether it will be granted, ordinary South Africans will know in the near future. Maybe the Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, may make an announcement during his forthcoming Budget speech? Even President Cyril Ramaphosa might give us a hint during his State of the Nation Address. There are many organisations and politicians who are in favour of implementing such a grant. A monthly amount of about R1 500 has been bandied around but it is unlikely the state can afford such an amount. If the government is serious about easing the burden of the underprivileged, it could come up with an innovative idea to implement a basic income grant in the form of food vouchers instead of doling out cash.…

LINDIWE Sisulu at 67 still displays the exuberance of youth. But youth and beauty aside, her acidic attack on the judiciary and Constitution in an opinion piece had tongues clucking. She was publicly reprobated by Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on national television. This was followed by President Cyril Ramaphosa spilling his objurgation at the recent ANC lekgotla backed by the Cosatu head honcho. Now Sisulu has been summoned to shed her honey before the ANC’s integrity committee. In a recent television interview, Dr Ebrahim Harvey, who wrote the Great Pretenders, commented that not since 1810 had the SA Constitution been in a state of such fatal destruction. Hailed as one of the most progressive constitutions the world, it is enshrined with the Bill of Rights, which gives one…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za SHORTLY after arriving at work last Wednesday, an assistant manager at a hardware store in Demat Road, Chatsworth, was shot and killed. Haroon Shaik Cassim, 30, a father of three, was shot while seated in his car. Ebrahim Shaik Cassim, his elder brother and a manager at the same shop, said: “Why would someone do this to him? He had no enemies. He would never hurt a fly.” He said their families lived on the same property – a few doors away from the shop. “That morning, I dropped my children off at school, and when I returned home, I saw his car idling in the garage. When I entered my house, I saw him going to his vehicle on my CCTV cameras. I was in the…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za HOURS after Cole Tyreeke Maharaj started a new job, he was electrocuted and later died in hospital. Maharaj, 21, of Westcliff in Chatsworth, was employed at WK Construction where he dug trenches. On January 24, while cleaning up one of the trenches, he was electrocuted and burnt throughout his body. Rowanna Maharaj, his mother, said: “My son was unemployed since last year. His father was retrenched due to Covid-19 and Cole was eager to get a job to help support our family and his girlfriend, Annabel Joseph, who recently moved in with us.” Rowanna said her son’s friend helped him find a job. “Cole was so excited to go to work. He already started making plans about what he wanted to do, like buy a car and…

Wendy Jasson Da Costa wendy.jdc@inl.co.za LAST Friday marked 25 years since South Africa’s Constitution, which provides the legal framework within which the country should operate, took effect. For most citizens, the printed Constitution is a pocket-sized cream-coloured book that highlights their rights and sets out how public institutions and elected representatives should be held accountable. George Devenish, Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said while the Constitution was not perfect because it gave too much power to political parties rather than those who voted for them, it was sound and had many noteworthy provisions, such as the Bill of Rights. “The problems in our country are due to the ineptitude and lack of integrity of politicians,” said Devenish. Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, who has served in various…

FINAL preparations are under way for the first live aQuellé Midmar Mile this week, after the competition was held virtually last year. Charity events will take place tomorrow and Friday and the main event will be held at the weekend. Wayne Ridden, the race organiser, said entries would close today. “In 2020 we had 12 000 registered, and so far we are at 6 000. These numbers are positive and show that we are back,” Ridden said. “We are thrilled that the aQuellé Midmar Mile can go ahead as planned. “Obviously, all Covid-19 protocols will be observed and the event will be run according to the extremely high safety standards that swimmers have come to expect over the years. We are also thrilled to welcome back some big names in…

WILL we see 50-year-old professional footballers soon? With modern fitness methods, medical research and elevated enthusiasm from players, footballers are playing to later ages than ever before. At 40 years old, AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains better than most top strikers in the peak of their careers. The Swede has scored eight league goals for Milan this season from just 15 games. He will be key in determining whether Sweden qualifies for the 2022 World Cup later this year when his nation contests its European play-off bracket. At 44 years old, legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon remains a top performer, captain and first choice goalie for Italian Serie B club Parma. Buffon is not what he was in his prime but he is still arguably a world-class footballer…