A FRESH APPROACH TO LOCAL NEWS 21 September 2021
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Two more die in Golden Highway crash that claimed Joburg mayor’s life Police confirmed that a pedestrian and the driver of the second vehicle involved in the crash, have since died in hospital.
Two more people have died in a horror crash on the Golden Highway at the weekend that also claimed the life of Johannesburg mayor, Jolidee Matongo. Police confirmed that a pedestrian and the driver of the second vehicle involved in the crash, have since died in hospital. Matongo’s bodyguards remain in a stable condition in hospital. It is alleged that Matongo’s vehicle was travelling along the highway when a pedestrian ran into the road. Authorities said Matongo’s driver swerved to avoid crashing into the pedestrian and collided with a bakkie. Matongo was believed to have been on his way home after a full day of electioneering alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa in Soweto. Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed that a case of culpable homicide and reckless driving was under investigation. Meanwhile, tributes have been streaming in on social media following the newly elected
mayor‘s death. Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said although only in the position for a short time, Matongo carried out his work with great understanding and compassion. “Mayor Matongo had already accustomed himself to the new responsibilities, illustrated a depth of understanding of the complexities of local government and was enhancing people’s developmental services,” she said. The DA’s Mpho Phalatse said Matongo was always respectful. “Mayor Matongo always treated me with respect as a fellow council colleague, and even during his short tenure as Mayor, was willing to take my calls on matters of critical service delivery issues. During committee meetings in Council, Mayor Matongo was always willing to co-operate across party lines and listen to colleagues with different views,” Phalatse said. ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said Matongo’s long and colourful track record as a public servant spoke for itself. “Death has robbed the people of Johannesburg
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Gauteng Driver Kills Suspected Road Spike Robber
A Gauteng motorist shot and killed a suspect after he and his family came under attack by the notorious Gauteng road spike robbers. In the latest incident, police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said three armed men attacked the family whose car had stopped after a tyre was punctured at around 21:00 on Friday night.
and the liberation movement of a selfless, dedicated, and competent servant. The ANC dips its revolutionary banner in honour of this outstanding cadre and son of the soil. We convey our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the broader democratic movement,” Mabe said.
The man and his family were driving on the R80 highway in Akasia when they hit what they suspected to be spikes placed on the road. “While the driver was changing the tyre, with his wife standing on the side, they were attacked by three armed men who fired shots at them. The husband fired back and one suspect was hit on the upper body while the other two fled on foot.” Members of the Flying Squad responded and found a suspect on the scene. The suspected robber was later certified dead by paramedics. Masondo said: “Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects who escaped from the scene and are warning motorists driving on the r80 highway to be cautious, especially when driving at night. Police have stabilised incidents of car spiking on gauteng roads that were on the increase, especially on the n4 highway and the r566. Crime pattern analysis showed that as soon identified hotspots are mitigated with increased visibility of law enforcement and security partners, criminals either change their modus operandi or move to another location.“If motorists suspect their tyre punctures are as a result of driving over spikes, they must immediately call the police emergency number 10111, scan their immediate environment and stay vigilant while changing the tyre. If they feel unsafe, they must try to drive to the nearest filling station or police station.” According to Masondo 14 suspects who were arrested in October last year after robbing people on the R80 and surroundings remain in custody. Their trials are expected to start between September and December this year. Police have warned motorists to be extra careful and vigilant on the province’s roads as the robbers move locations whenever law enforcement increases visibility at hotspots.
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21 September 2021
Fuel Prices Look Set Zuma’s Family And Supporters Left Fuming After To Rise In October, ConCourt Dismisses His Rescission Application The decision by the Constitutional Court to But Judge Khampepe dismissed Zuma’s Cautions AA
Fuel prices are set to increase at month-end. This is according to the Automobile Association (AA), which was commenting on recent exchange rate and commodities data.
dismiss the rescission application by former President Jacob Zuma, and uphold the June 29 ruling that handed him a 15-month jail sentence, has left his supporters fuming.
“We have noted oil prices spiking above $75 a barrel in recent days, and the upward trend has been evident throughout September. Brent Crude in particular has increased by $10 a barrel in less than a month, and the Mediterranean and Singapore prices used in SA fuel pricing are also on the advance. This trend could point towards substantial future fuel price increases,” it says. The Rand/US dollar exchange rate was flat for much of the first half of September, with movements in a fairly limited range. However, recent weakening, combined with higher international petroleum prices, could push fuel prices into negative territory by month-end. “Until government manages domestic policy more effectively, the Rand will continue to expose South Africans to the full brunt of bullish oil prices, meaning South Africans are not getting fuel as cheaply as they could be,” says the association.
On Friday Justice Sisi Khampepe handed down the apex court’s judgement, ruling that Zuma did not qualify for a rescission. Khampepe said Zuma’s argument that he did not participate in the process which led to his jailing which started on July 8 at Estcourt Correctional Centre did not hold water. She said when Zuma was asked to make an input he decided not to do so, instead issuing a public statement impugning the dignity of the apex court. Mzwanele Manyi, spokesperson for the Jacob Zuma Foundation, said the ruling was disappointing and would shake international confidence in South Africa. “Obviously the foundation is disappointed with this judgement, the rights of his excellency President Zuma continue to be waived, continue to be ignored because the court has taken upon itself to prioritise its own dignity over the dignity of a human being. “This is what this judgement was really all about. Also, we are disappointed by the fact that what the judgement has actually done will actually even undermine the investor confidence because what it means is that if you are going
Dickason Children Were Allegedly ‘Strangled’ In New Zealand
The daughters of a SA couple who relocated to New Zealand – found dead in their new home by their father – were allegedly strangled. Lauren Dickason, a medical practitioner accused of murdering her twins aged two and their six-year-old sister, appeared in court on Saturday. Local media reported that Timaru district court judge Dominic Dravitzki remanded her to a secure forensic mental health unit until October 5. A former colleague of their father Graham, who has just started working as an orthopaedic surgeon at Timaru Hospital, and a source in New Zealand said it was suspected the children may have been strangled with cable ties. Jade Whaley, the family’s neighbour, also said she and her husband were watching television and heard two screams followed by a man crying hysterically. “Is this really happening,” he kept asking. Dressed in a grey hoodie and black pants, the 40-yearold doctor from Pretoria stood in the dock with her head bent and eyes on the floor for most of the proceedings. She was charged with the murder of twins Karla and Maya, 2, and their six-year-old sister, Liane. While she stood in the dock, flowers and soft toys piled up at the address where the girls died, reported Stuff news agency. A woman who worked with the couple at Pretoria East Hospital told the publication they were “a perfectly normal family”. “He is what you would call a genuinely nice guy … she was more of an introvert; quiet, but very humble, It wasn’t strange that she didn’t speak much, it was just her nature,” she said.
to have a judgement that is going to say that section 39, paragraph 1 of the constitution, which obliges the government to take into consideration international law, but then you have a judgement that says it is not obliged to it. He was referring to the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which sets out a number of rights of accused and arrested people, and that “everyone convicted of a crime shall have the right to his conviction and sentence being reviewed by a higher tribunal according to law”. Manyi said : “It means that people doing business in South Africa are not going to have confidence in our rule of law because if you are going to have courts themselves saying they are not obliged (to honour) treaties that they have signed, that is an indictment in terms of our standing internationally. So, indeed we think this judgement is very bad for the country, is very bad for justice, is very bad for rule of law.
Lockdown Restrictions To Be Eased Even More Joe Phaahla, the Minister of Health, says South Africa is seeing a marked decline in the third wave of its Covid-19 cases, and the government is now considering the further easing of lockdown restrictions.
Addressing the media today, Phaahla said that when compared to the previous seven days, overall new Covid-19 cases are down by 35% and the country’s positivity rate has also declined to an average of 9.3%. This data shows that South Africa is now very close to the World Health Organisation’s metric for a ‘stable’ infection rate of 5%, and a further relaxation of restrictions could be on the cards as citizens have shown that they are complying with regulations. “If we continue to comply with the personal health and safety measures, more relaxations will be on the way. We will be reporting to the national coronavirus command council in two weeks, and if there continues to be good
cooperation, the (rules) will be relaxed.” Phaahla said that some of the eased restrictions could include: An 00h00 evening curfew; Alcohol would be allowed to be sold for offsite consumption on Saturdays; More leisure activities will be allowed to reopen President Cyril Ramaphosa moved South the country to an adjusted level 2 lockdown on Monday (13 September) as a sustained decline in infections has been seen over the past two weeks. Updated restrictions include: The hours of curfew run from 23h00 – 04h00. Non-essential establishments such as bars and gyms need to close at 22h00 to give staff to get home. All gatherings are limited to 250 people indoors, while outdoor gatherings are limited to 500 people. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these amounts of people, then no more than 50% of the floor space may be used. The sale of alcohol for off-site consumption is permitted from 10h00 – 18h00 from MondayFriday.
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contention that international law was violated in jailing him. She said the international law Zuma cited in his application did not apply in South Africa’s legal landscape. Edward Zuma, the most vocal of Zuma’s sons, who prior to his father’s surrender to start serving his sentence, had vowed to close the gates of Nkandla and threatened violence, told a South African news channel that they would start rolling action in protest. “We are going to show our anger and the whole world will see our anger”.,” he said. Another long time ally of Zuma, Andile Lungisa, a former ANC councillor in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro in the Eastern Cape, took to Twitter and said they would not hesitate to take the case to the international forum. “Constitutional Court says international law does not apply in South Africa. We are in for a big fight… We will go (to) the International Criminal Court and Human Rights Court. ,” he tweeted. Carl Niehaus, the spokesperson of the MKMVA and a long time of Zuma said the ruling was a deepening of the persecution of the former head of state. “The continuing capture of our courts – even the #CC – for factional political purposes, continues. The injustice of the illegal political imprisonment of @PresJGZuma is further deepened. Upholding the ‘principle of finality’ to take @PresJGZuma’s right of appeal away is an outrage,” he tweeted shortly after the ruling.
On-site consumption of alcohol is subject to licensing permissions until 22h00. Funerals remain restricted to no more than 50 people, and, as before, night vigils, after-funeral gatherings, and ‘after-tears’ gatherings are not allowed. Ramaphosa said that these restrictions will be reviewed in a fortnight. The government will also present its plan for vaccine passports at this time so that people can attend sporting and other events public, he said. Ramaphosa warned that existing regulations remain in place – including the compulsory wearing of masks, social distancing, and a ban on after-funeral gatherings. “It is a criminal offence not to do so, and the managers of shops and restaurants, as well as drivers of taxis and buses, have a responsibility to ensure that their customers wear masks, and that the appropriate social distancing measures are in place.”
21 September 2021
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“Sincere apology”
21 September 2021
from Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber
South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber admitted he was worried about the “massive challenge” of facing the All Blacks next weekend after a “very poor” Springboks suffered back-to-back Test defeats against the Wallabies. The world champions were outplayed “in every department” by a resurgent Australia side in Brisbane and Nienaber apologised after what he called the Springboks’ worst performance since losing 32-19 to Argentina in 2018. “We are sorry, that’s all we can say,” said Nienaber after Saturday’s 30-17 defeat in the Rugby Championship fourth-round contest. “It was not a performance that was worthy enough for a Springbok jersey. “We sincerely apologise. Everyone, from management, coaching staff -this was a very poor performance.” South Africa had been expected to come back strongly after being edged by the Wallabies 2826 the week before, with only a Quade Cooper penalty after the full-time siren separating the sides. “We were truly beaten. In every department we got hands down beaten -- defence, kicking game, attack,” Nienaber said. Australia seized control when Faf De Klerk was sin-binned in the 12th minute for slapping the ball illegally out of Nic White’s hands at an attacking ruck. During the 10 minutes that the South Africa scrum-half was off the field the Wallabies took full advantage with centre Len Ikitau crossing for two tries.
“We just made too many errors,” conceded Nienaber. Despite briefly hitting the lead just after halftime, South Africa never looked like holding off the resurgent Wallabies who swept to four tries and a bonus point. “The last time we conceded four tries in a game, I think, was against New Zealand in 2018 three years ago, so it definitely wasn’t up to standard,” Nienaber added. “Our exit game wasn’t up to standard and was inconsistent. “It wasn’t a great performance.” The Springboks arrived in Australia having won a series against the British and Irish Lions and two Tests against Argentina. But Nienaber conceded they had plenty of work to do this week before they face the daunting prospect of back-to-back clashes against New Zealand in Townsville on Saturday and on the Gold Coast a week later. The All Blacks have won all four of their Rugby championship matches, easily accounting for both the Wallabies and Argentina and on Saturday a much-changed starting XV romped past the Pumas 36-13. “There are no positives (from the Wallabies game), but the nice thing is it’s nice to play our Sanzaar (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina Rugby) teams,” Nienaber said. “You get tested differently and for us, it is a big eye-opener in terms of that and that is how big the challenge will be against New Zealand. “It’s going to be a massive challenge.”
South African Paralympic Bronze Medalist On Life Support
The family of South African swimmer, Achmat “Sharkboy” Hassiem on Sunday thanked those who are praying for his recovery. The 39-year-old Paralympic bronze medallist is on life support, at a Cape Town hospital.
He was admitted on 8 September and suffered complications after undergoing a spinal operation. Hassiem coined the nickname Sharkboy after surviving a shark attack in 2006. Hassiem’s mother, Thoraiyah, is positive her son will make a full recovery. “We know Achmat is a fighter. He fought through that shark attack, and he will fight through this too.” She said complications arose after he had the
spinal surgery. “He had a spinal operation, and he was fine. Then he just struggled to breathe, his neck started to swell up, and they had to do another emergency operation and put him on life support and in an induced coma.” The public were alerted when his former school, Bergvliet High, took to social media appealing for prayer. She aid as a result of this, Hassiem was already showing signs of progress. “Every day when we come to hospital, there’s some improvement; his vitals are looking much better now, his temperature came down. Every day is a better day.” The Hassiem family has asked the public to continue praying for their son.