Table of contents for 2021-09-10 in DFA News

Sihle Mavuso staff writer THE JACOB Zuma hearing, at which the former president was supposed to argue why the National Prosecuting Authority’s advocate Billy Downer SC should not lead his prosecution for alleged corruption in the multibillion-rand arms deal, has been allocated new dates. Initially, the matter was supposed to be moved to September 20 and 21 this year. However, in the Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday, Judge Piet Koen certified September 21 and 22 as the new agreed-upon dates. Koen further allowed the NPA to file supplementary affidavits. That should be done by September 16. If Zuma and his legal team wish to respond to the supplementary affidavits, they should do so by September 20. “The order I grant is as follows: the matter is adjourned in the absence of…

Benida Phillips staff reporter RESIDENTS in Homevale said yesterday that they are not only looking forward to having “speedy” emergency services in their area, but also the possibility that job opportunities will be available once the new Homevale Fire Station is operational. Sol Plaatje Municipality said that the R1.6 million first phase of the project has been completed. Municipal spokesperson Sello Matsie said the second phase is expected to be completed this year. “The first phase of the construction included an environmental impact report which has been completed. The second phase of the project was awarded to a local contractor and the completion of this phase is expected later in 2021,” Matsie said. He added that the new fire station will speed up emergency services to the area and surrounding…

Neville Motlhabakwe Sports Reporter A MOUTHWATERING cricket fest is in store for cricket lovers in the Northern Cape as the professional game makes a comeback to the province after a 21-year absence. The province's new professional outfit, the Northern Cape Heat XI, were introduced to the public on Tuesday at a function in Kimberley, ahead of the upcoming CSA Provincial T20 Knock Out competition that will run from September 24 to October 6. Northern Cape Cricket (NCC) CEO Eugene Jacobs who was among the dignitaries at the occasion had a hard time suppressing his excitement as he explained the ramifications of the provincial team’s new status as a franchise within the Cricket South Africa fold. “For the competition to be played in Kimberley is huge,” Jacobs said. “We are going…

Staff Reporter CRISTIANO Ronaldo looks set to make his second Premier League debut tomorrow when Manchester United host Newcastle at 4pm. It’s expected to be a raucous homecoming at Old Trafford for the United legend, who signed from Juventus on transfer deadline day after leaving Manchester for Real Madrid in 2009. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be sporting his famous No.7 shirt again after the League allowed the number registration to change from Edinson Cavani. And his Portuguese teammate Bruno Fernandes reckons with CR7 in the line-up, United are closer than ever to winning trophies. Ahead of tomorrow’s big occasion, he says: “We know the enthusiasm will be red hot, everyone knows Cristiano is in the house. “Everyone is very confident and happy that he is back, the players…

WORLD No.1 Novak Djokovic saw off Matteo Berrettini in the quarter-finals of the US Open on Wednesday, then swatted away questions about his bid to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to sweep all four Grand Slam titles in the same calendar year. Djokovic overcame a slow start against the Italian sixth seed before wrapping up a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 victory and moving a step closer to his 21st Grand Slam title. The Serbian, who will take on German fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals today, cut off Patrick McEnroe when he edged towards the subject in an on-court interview. “You don’t have to ask me anything about that,” said Djokovic. “I don’t want to think about it, I know it’s there, just focusing on…

Sandi Kwon Hoo CHIEF REPORTER THE SAPS Kimberley Detectives are investigating a case of domestic violence (contravention of a protection/court order) as well as breach of the Film and Publications Amendment Bill relating to alleged hate speech and revenge porn. Kimberley SAPS communication officer Captain Tessa Jansen said yesterday that these acts were allegedly committed during August and September, after which the complainant opened a criminal case. “Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these alleged transgressors (pictured) may contact their nearest police station, Crime Stop 0800 10111, the MYSAPS app or the investigating officer, W/O Visagie on 053 838 4399 (office) or 063 437 1101. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence. The investigation continues,” said Jansen.…

Baldwin Ndaba staff writer ANC MEMBERS and branches are divided on whether the party has done enough to resolve disputes on the nomination of candidates for the upcoming local government elections ahead of the Saturday registration deadline. Last month, various ANC branches in most of the provinces in the country marched to their provincial headquarters and others marched to Luthuli House to lodge complaints about the alleged manipulation of candidates. These marches took place a few days before the IEC’s initial deadline for registration of candidates on August 23. However, after the Constitutional Court overturned the IEC’s application for elections to be held in February next year, it also instructed the electoral body to organise another round of voter registration. The Concourt also ordered the IEC to hold local government…

Lee Rondganger STAFF WRITER SOUTH Africa is a central hub for sex and human trafficking with girls as young as 10 years old being trafficked, the US Department of State 2021 Trafficking in Persons report has noted. The report said that human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in South Africa. “Traffickers recruit victims from poor countries and poor and/or rural areas within South Africa, particularly Gauteng province, and exploit them in sex trafficking locally and in urban centres, such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Bloemfontein. South African trafficking rings exploit girls as young as 10 years old in sex trafficking,” the report said. According to the report, traffickers operating in South Africa were increasingly from Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and Ghana. “Syndicates, often dominated…

Sihle Mlambo STAFF WRITER THE SEFAKO Makgatho Health Sciences University, Numolux, and China’s Sinovac have partnered to conduct a paediatric vaccine study on Covid-19 vaccines for children and adolescents, aged between six months and 17 years. The vaccine study will see more than 2 000 children and teenagers take part in the study in South Africa, with seven clinical research sites across the country being utilised. The first child is expected to be vaccinated at the university's MeCRU Clinical Research Unit on Friday. The children, who will take part in the trial, will receive two doses of Sinovac’s CoronaVac vaccine or a placebo, 27 days apart. “Efficacy assessments to include the surveillance for Covid-19 like symptoms, and the laboratory confirmation of Sars-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR. Any confirmed Covid-19 cases will…

FERRARI’S Charles Leclerc has called for the “tifosi” to generate a crazy Dutch-style atmosphere as he bids to gate-crash the championship contenders’ title scrap at the Italian Grand Prix. The Monegasque, who won Ferrari’s home race at Italy’s “temple of speed” in 2019, wants the fans at Monza to recreate the carnival atmosphere seen at Zandvoort last weekend where 70,000 Dutch fans enjoyed a noisy beach party and roared Max Verstappen to victory. “Monza is always special for the drivers and the team,” said Leclerc. “It is our home and we can feel the support. I will remember 2019 for the rest of my life.” Monza is set to allow around half-capacity crowds of 50,000 this weekend, following last year’s behind-closed-doors race won by Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly, with another…

Dudley Carstens in Cape Town DESPITE being uncapped in T20 cricket, Keshav Maharaj was called up to the Proteas’ squad for next month’s World Cup in the UAE. The 31-year-old is one of three specialist spinners in the 15-man squad – the others being Tabraiz Shamsi and Bjorn Fortuin – with regular T20 spinning all-rounder George Linde only included as one of three travelling reserves. Of Maharaj’s call-up, convenor of selectors Victor Mpitsang says: “Kesh is an excellent leader. He has the backing of the team and us as a panel. “He has more than proven his leadership skills in the Dolphins set up and reinforced our good decision during the ODI series against Sri Lanka which ended on Tuesday. “His exemplary captaincy is what we believe is in the…

Boipelo Mere STAFF REPORTER THE POLICE in Kimberley are investigating two cases of rape which allegedly occurred at a primary school in Ritchie this week. The first incident occurred on Monday when a 12-year-old girl was allegedly pinned down by a 14-year-old learner, who then forced her into a sexual act in front of other learners. There were apparently no teachers in the classroom at the time of the incident. Other learners had to intervene. In another incident, two boys were allegedly raped at the same school. Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello confirmed that in both cases the suspects are minors. “As per the Children's Act they will be assessed by a social worker before appearing in court,” Sello said. The 72-year-old foster parent of the 12-year-old girl is battling…

Sandi Kwon Hoo sandi.kwonhoo@inl.co.za THE SAPS in the Northern Cape has noted an increase in the number of missing person cases that have been reported to the police. Police spokesperson Captain Sergio Kock said that the SAPS emergency number (08600 10111) or the e-mail detective helpline (detective.helpline@saps.gov.za) can be utilised to report a missing person. He urged residents to report a missing person immediately. “The immediate response by the SAPS can save a life. As much information as possible should be provided when reporting a case at the local police station. “It is advisable to always have a recent photograph of the person, while it is also important to take note of the clothes the missing person was wearing at the time of their disappearance. “The investigating officer should be…

Sinenhlanhla Zungu staff writer DEPARTMENT of Public Enterprises director-general Kgathatso Tlhakudi said the government would no longer be funding bailouts for state-owned enterprises (SOEs). According to the National Government Directory, there are 129 state-owned enterprises and other public entities. Some of the SOEs that received bailouts recently were Eskom and SAA. Tlhakudi said the era of funding operational shortfalls is over. He addressed Parliament’s Public Enterprises committee recently during a departmental briefing. “Bailouts, financial contributions to SOEs or recapitalisation will be given when an entity is restructuring itself so that it is sustainable under its own steam going forward,” he said. Tlhakudi emphasised that the government was still allowed to explore expansion opportunities that availed themselves within SOEs. “Where there are opportunities to grow the business, where there will be…

Kailene Pillay POLITICAL WRITER THE JURY is out on whether November 1 will be declared as an official public holiday to allow South Africans to head to the polls. Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on Wednesday announced that local government elections will be held on this day adding that President Cyril Ramaphosa would still have to consult with the Cabinet before declaring the day a national holiday. According to Dlamini Zuma, the government could have chosen the originally proclaimed date of October 27 for the elections but indicated that the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) had highlighted that it would need as much time as possible to prepare for the municipal polls. “These elections are important in advancing our young democracy. They mark…

Dudley Carstens in Cape Town THE SPRINGBOKS “sal sleg tweede kom” if they underestimate Australia in Sunday’s Rugby Championship clash in Queensland at 12.05pm. That’s the warning from scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, who has tasted defeat with South Africa in Australia in both his visits Down Under to date. The Springboks are currently on the ultimate high, following up their World Cup victory with a series win over the British and Irish Lions. Add to this that they are unbeaten in the Rugby Championship after back-to-back wins over Argentina and it’s clear to see why the Boks are heavily favoured heading into Sunday’s clash. On the opposite end of the pitch is a team that is hurt after two big defeats to rivals New Zealand in their first two rounds.…

Zaahier Adams BAFANA Ba Style vs The Phefeni Glamour Boys: The aristocrats of South African football. The one built on the riches of the Kaizer Motaung family dynasty, while the other is all new Patrice Motsepe money. It is a fixture that gets everyone in South Africa talking. It may not boast the legacy of the Soweto derby, but it is arguably the symbol of modern SA, trademarked by the accompanying selfies of Generation Z fans in club colours on Instagram. And as for results on the pitch, here it’s Sundowns that are the benchmark with a record 11 Premiership titles, including four in a row. They also boast a talent-laden squad that is the envy of the chasing pack, while they have successfully completed the coaching transition from the…

Herman Gibbs in Cape Town After four stirring victories at Flushing Meadows, South African Lloyd Harris met his match in Alexander Zverev, a straight-sets 7-6 6-3 6-4 US Open quarter-final winner, at the sun-splashed Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York, on Wednesday. After the match, Harris said “there’s a lot I can take moving forward”, and he was right. One of the things he’ll take forward is a healthy bank balance. Before the match, he was already guaranteed his biggest payday in his pro career after reaching the US Open fourth round. By the time he walked off the centre court on Wednesday, his singles exploits were worth R9m. As he progressed through the main draw, he earned R107,000 (1st round), R1.65 (2nd), R2.6 (3rd), R3.8m (4th) and R6m (quarter-final). He…