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28 January 2021 by Guest

Australian captain cricket: South Africa Test squad leaves us in the dark on future captain | The

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Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
27 January 2021 by Guest

Craddock: Our most gripping series since ’05 Ashes

The temptation is to say Australia lacks a killer punch but tackling this Indian team is like boxing Floyd Mayweather. You spot a bare chin and wind up for the haymaker only to connect with nothing but thin air. You see a dropped guard and go for broke – only to graze an ear. You …

The temptation is to say Australia lacks a killer punch but tackling this Indian team is like boxing Floyd Mayweather.

You spot a bare chin and wind up for the haymaker only to connect with nothing but thin air.

You see a dropped guard and go for broke – only to graze an ear. You move them into a corner then they spin on a sixpence and vanish.

Surely they must crack eventually?

What a magnificent series this has been. Both teams deserve great credit.

Even if India do not retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy they have made the cricket world think about going the road less travelled with selections, collective mindsets … everything.

The admirable way they chose five bowlers in this Test confirmed a cavalier spirit which never used to be their trademark.

Watch Australia v India Test Series Live Ad-Break Free During Play with the Fox Cricket commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now start streaming instantly

 

The fact that they have only two players – Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane – surviving from the first Test of the series proved you can leave blood on the floor in the selection room and still have team harmony.

India don’t die wondering.

It’s true that many of their players were dropped through injury but several significant others like Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal were dropped through poor form without a hint of disruption.

Through it all they looked like cricket’s version of the NFL’s New England Patriots, about whom it was once said that their game plans were so well absorbed throughout the organisation that you could put the car park ticket-seller in as quarterback and he would know all the plays.

It used to be said that win in Australia you had to have an Australian style alpha male captain like South Africa’s Graeme Smith or Faf du Plessis but that has all changed with the calm, measured, unsung Rahane keeping his team in the fight.

 

This is a very unusual series because Australia barely ever does arm wrestles on its own soil. Its speciality is the brutal backslam and when that does not happen it is often backslammed itself.

But it is rare and special to see two teams with hands locked around each other’s throats.

This is the most gripping Test series Australia has played in since the 2005 Ashes but it could have an even more profound impact on the game.

The 2005 Ashes, in which England won 2-1 after a series of spell binding twists and turns, became the instant yardstick by which all other compelling series are measured.

Its impact on the game was such that cricket gear sellers in Australia broke records when the 2005-06 summer started a couple of months after the team returned home.

But that was when Test cricket was the unchallenged king of the castle.

 

Twenty20 has since swept the globe and is the game of the future.

Now the Test match game is under siege, not simply from the razzle dazzle forces of T20 cricket but just the extreme financial demands of supporting first class systems that produce Test players.

If you’re India, Australia and England you’re doing fine but the rest of the world is struggling.

South African cricket is a financial basket-case and even New Zealand needed a helping hand to generate some cash so Australia will send a mixture of second and third XI players there next month to play white ball games while the Test side in in South Africa.

This Test should ensure that India stays in love with Test cricket and that is all Test cricket needs to live on indefinitely.

Originally published as Craddock: Our most gripping series since ’05 Ashes

Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
25 January 2021 by Guest

When they killed Neil Aggett

Jane Starfield mourns dead Security Police detainee Neil Aggett outside John Vorster Square. (Photo: Gallo Images / Sunday Times) The second inquest into the death in detention of the unionist, in 1982, is now under way. The first was a whitewash. To heal from such evil, South Africa deserves the truth. First published in the …


Jane Starfield mourns dead Security Police detainee Neil Aggett outside John Vorster Square. (Photo: Gallo Images / Sunday Times)

The second inquest into the death in detention of the unionist, in 1982, is now under way. The first was a whitewash. To heal from such evil, South Africa deserves the truth.

First published in the Daily Maverick 168 weekly newspaper.

On 5 February 1982, anti-apartheid union organiser Dr Neil Aggett (28) was allegedly “found hanged” in cell 209 by police in the notorious John Vorster Square after 70 days of Security Police torture and 62 hours of interrogation.

“Somebody told me he spoke to Neil [Aggett] once and he said: ‘They’re going to kill you,’ and he [Neil] said: ‘Yes, I know.’”

Jill Burger, Aggett’s sister, told this chilling chronicle of a death foretold to journalist and writer Tymon Smith, who has written extensively about the recently reopened inquest into Aggett’s death and the new evidence that has emerged.

Knowing you would be killed was not uncommon among anti-apartheid activists during the 1980s. It came with the territory. Matthew Goniwe and Fort Calata, two of the Cradock Four, had acknowledged they would be killed too, before they were brutally assassinated. The dedication and courage of these staunch activists was extraordinary.

The Security Police at the time had unlimited, terrifying powers. They could detain and/or torture you for an hour, a week, a year, or kill you – with impunity. They could bomb your car, hang a dead cat outside your door, or just assassinate you as you answered the door. They could steamroller your shack with a Casspir, or torture you until you “broke”. They could poison your clothes, abduct you, blow up your body, literally anything they liked. Their bosses, the politicians, all knew about it.

Neil Aggett, South African trade union leader and labour activist who died while in detention after being arrested by the South African Security Police. (Photo: Gallo Images / Sunday Times)

I remember when the notorious Gideon Nieuwoudt came for me. I was expecting them because the Security Police had set a trap for us. So when he knocked, I recognised the tall, freckled monster who had interrogated Steve Biko three years before and beaten him so badly that he died. He politely asked if I was David Forbes. I replied: “You know who I am.”

He asked me to come “for questioning”. What choice was there? I got in the pale-blue Cressida, which roared off to the local Sanlam Centre. I was very lucky. I was small fry, and after some questioning, I was freed. But when you got into that Cressida, you never knew how long it would be. They could detain you without trial indefinitely. That’s the power of fear they held over you.

Neil Aggett and his girlfriend Dr Liz Floyd were not so lucky. Their names, with others, had been found on a list Barbara Hogan had left in a dead-letter box for what she thought was an Umkhonto weSizwe group from Botswana. But it had been infiltrated. The Security Police bust everyone on the list, detaining them initially at the ugly tall blue building next to the M1 highway, the secretive and infamous John Vorster Square, the Johannesburg HQ of the Security Police, who “owned” the 9th and 10th floors, from which detainees who didn’t co-operate could be thrown to the ground below, tossed down stairs, or beaten senseless.

Dr Floyd was so badly tortured she had to relearn to read and write after she was released. She heard a detainee being electrocuted in the next room screaming. Police refused her permission to attend her longtime boyfriend’s funeral. These were very cruel, evil men.

What really happened in the early hours of 5 February 1982 may never be known, even after the second inquest, now under way, concludes. The first inquest, that same year, was the usual apartheid whitewash, finding no one responsible for an “induced suicide” while in the courtroom self-satisfied, smirking Security Police looked on, ready to go out and celebrate the death of another “leftie” with some “polisie koffie” (brandy and Coke).

Joy and Aubrey Aggett at son Neil’s funeral in Johannesburg. (Photo: Gallo Images / Sunday Times / Raymond Preston)

At the time, I was a sub-editor at the liberal Rand Daily Mail newspaper, working from 2pm to around midnight.

A friend, Norman Patterton, did the night crime beat for the paper, and often I would join him on his rounds in the early hours, the hospitals, Brixton Murder Robbery squad, Hillbrow Police Station, the Flying Squad, and the morgue.

The morgue. A silent, eerie, cold place, often with blood smears on the floor, and stainless steel fridges for “white” bodies. The so-called “non-white” morgue rooms (yes, even in death the races were separated) just had shelves around the walls, where the naked bodies were stacked, each with a pathetic little bundle of personal possessions. The loud hum of air conditioners kept the room temperature at a level that made one shiver in the cold, greenish neon light. That building is gone now, replaced by the Constitutional Court precinct buildings, but it held a horror all of its own.

So, the night after Neil’s death, Norman convinced the morgue attendant to let us see his body. It was touch and go; the attendant was terrified of the Security Police. He could lose his job if the cops found out two journalists (from the Mail, nogal!) had seen Neil’s body. I had hidden a small camera in my jacket (cellphones and small point-and-shoot cameras didn’t exist yet) and we wanted to get a photo to show the torture marks we knew we would find.

The cagey morgue attendant relented. He nervously took us to the rows of stainless steel doors, looked over his shoulder, and yanked one open, then he pulled out the gurney. A handsome bearded man lay on the tray, very still and silent. It was shocking. A brave and honest professional murdered for his beliefs by the state.

Norman was trying to draw the attendant away, to distract him so I could quickly snap a photo with the camera I had my hand on under my jacket. But the attendant was so nervous he would not leave me alone. Then he quickly pushed the gurney back into the fridge and slammed the door shut. We thanked him, made some small talk and left.

Fawu members outside the South Gauteng High Court during a march in support of Neil Aggett in 2020. (Photo: Alet Pretorius / Gallo Images)

But that image has stayed with me forever. I wrote a poem when I got home to my Bree Street flat just before dawn, “Death of a Detainee”:

I watched the city awake:
another detainee had died
by hanging in a cell.
I made the calculations
then – and before –
we looked at the body
naked on a cold steel morgue tray.

 – Johannesburg February 1982 

A day or two later, I was asked by an activist if I could typeset some copy for a poster and have the Mail’s works department print out a bromide (it was before home printers and computers, and commercial printers would never touch anything political). They gave me a photo, and I did the necessary.

Shortly after this, Rand Daily Mail managing editor Dave Hazelhurst called me into his office. He had the poster on his desk. He said he understood why I had done this, but if the cops got hold of it they could close down the paper.

What I had done was subversive and illegal, but Dave accepted my apology, and that was the last I heard of it. “Hazey”, as we used to call him, was the ultimate newspaperman, a brilliant layout artist, great headline writer, amazing leader and mentor. He gave me the artwork, and I took it to the activist. It read, above the mugshot: NEIL AGGETT; and, below it: “Lived for his country. Died in Detention”. It was prominent at the funeral a few days later.

We know there was a massive cover-up to limit this public-relations disaster for the regime. The official verdict was “induced suicide”. The facts contradict this. Uniformed police patrolled the cells 24 hours a day, so the evidence that there had been no patrols between 10.30pm and 1.30am on 5 February was a lie. The Security Police had their own keys, and could remove detainees at any time of the day or night. How Neil could have hanged himself with a kikoi, when personal items were not allowed, is a mystery. There are lots of inconsistencies.

The infamous John Vorster Square. (Photo: Gallo Images / Sunday Times)

The 1982 inquest records were destroyed. The post-Truth and Reconciliation Commission prosecution was delayed by active suppression and obstruction by top-ranking ANC and government officials.

I went to photograph Neil’s funeral for myself. The cathedral was packed to the rafters. After the funeral, comrades carried his coffin from St Mary’s cathedral in downtown Jo’burg to Westpark Cemetery. I ran ahead of the procession, cameras swinging wildly; I’d stop, stoop, take pictures of the toyi-toyi-ing procession, let it pass, then run ahead again.

I remember at the graveside, the slow, sad and angry singing of Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika, our fists raised and our eyes wet with tears. This was the national anthem of the struggle, together with Senzeni Na? (What have we done?).

My negatives were later destroyed in a geyser flood, but the memories remain. For the families of those who were tortured or killed, the pain and suffering is immense, deeply scarring and traumatising. We must never forget the people who paid the ultimate price for South Africa’s liberation. We cannot progress as a nation until we have justice, not rainbows. This inquest is only that beginning. DM168

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper which is available for free to Pick n Pay Smart Shoppers at these Pick n Pay stores.

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Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
24 January 2021 by Guest

‘Lackadaisical openers, vulnerable lower order, Australia, whatever happened to you?’: India view

India scribes have wasted no time in putting the boot in to Australia’s underperforming cricket side that failed to win an unlosable series against a depleted opposition on home soil. With eight front line India stars missing for large chunks of the four Test series it was a miracle it ended 2-1 to India to …

India scribes have wasted no time in putting the boot in to Australia’s underperforming cricket side that failed to win an unlosable series against a depleted opposition on home soil.

With eight front line India stars missing for large chunks of the four Test series it was a miracle it ended 2-1 to India to see them hold onto the Border-Gavasker trophy after four enthralling matches.

India deserve plenty of credit for their fighting spirit and the excellent cricket they played, but even their journalists believe an Australian team far below their best contributed heavily to the shock result.

Watch Australia v India Test Series Live Ad-Break Free During Play with the Fox Cricket commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now start streaming instantly

Form of Paine continues: DRS fail

Form of Paine continues: DRS fail

0:49

Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
22 January 2021 by Guest

PAN AFRICAN RESOURCES PLC – Operational update for the six months ended 31 December 2020 – SENS

Operational update for the six months ended 31 December 2020 Pan African Resources PLC (Incorporated and registered in England and Wales under Companies Act 1985 with registered number 3937466 on 25 February 2000) Share code on AIM: PAF Share code on JSE: PAN ISIN: GB0004300496 ADR ticker code: PAFRY (Pan African or the Company or …

                            

Operational update for the six months ended 31 December 2020

Pan African Resources PLC
(Incorporated and registered in England and Wales under Companies Act 1985 with registered
number 3937466 on 25 February 2000)
Share code on AIM: PAF
Share code on JSE: PAN
ISIN: GB0004300496
ADR ticker code: PAFRY
(Pan African or the Company or the Group)

OPERATIONAL UPDATE FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

Pan African is pleased to provide shareholders with an operational update for the six months ended
31 December 2020 (Current Reporting Period).

Key Operational Results for the Current Reporting Period

• Industry leading safety performance maintained with improvements in reportable rates
across all Group operations
• Group gold production increased by 5.9% to 98,386oz (2019: 92,941oz)
• Gold production from Barberton Mines for the period was 52,354oz, while Elikhulu and
Evander Mines produced 26,863oz and 19,169oz respectively
• Operations have continued to implement and maintain stringent policies and protocols to
mitigate the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on employees and production
• ESG projects, including the 10MW renewable energy solar photovoltaic plant at Evander
Mines and large-scale agriculture projects in Barberton Mines, are on track for
commissioning in Q3 2021
• Group net debt decreased by 47.3% to US$65.2 million (2019: US$123.7million)
• Pan African is on track to deliver its full year production guidance of approximately
190,000oz

Pan African CEO Cobus Loots commented:

“Pan African’s financial results and increase in gold production for the first six months of the year
demonstrates a commendable operational and safety performance, amidst the challenges of the
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Barberton Mine’s gold production of 52,354oz for the Current Reporting Period deserves recognition
and demonstrates the excellent progress that this flagship asset and its operating team have made
in reserve development and infrastructure optimisation.

Group net debt decreased by 47.3% to US$65.2 million relative to the six months ended 31 December
2019 (Corresponding Reporting Period), notwithstanding a record final Rand dividend distribution
for the June 2020 financial year, paid in December 2020.

We expect operations at the Evander Mines’ 8 Shaft pillar to deliver a much-improved performance
during the remainder of the 2021 financial year, as the pillar mining activities gather momentum.

We have now commenced with early preparation work and limited capital expenditure for the
execution phase of the Egoli project. We expect to finalise the debt funding package within the first
quarter of the 2021 calendar year. This organic growth project will contribute considerably to our
future gold production.
The construction of the solar photovoltaic plant at Evander Mines will commence during the first
quarter of the 2021 calendar year, with first power expected to be generated during the third quarter
of the 2021 calendar year. This plant will be one of the first of its kind in the South African mining
sector and demonstrates our commitment to ESG initiatives. In conjunction with several other
projects, it also underpins the Group’s profitability and sustainability.

The Group remains on track to produce 190,000 oz of gold for the financial year ending 30 June 2021,
and we are committed to continue creating value for our stakeholders by positioning Pan African as
a sustainable, safe, high-margin and long-life gold producer. We look forward to presenting our
interim results on 16 February 2021.”

Safety

The Group continued to maintain an industry-leading safety performance with a focus on new safety
initiatives and interventions in its pursuit of a zero-harm working environment.

• The lost-time injury frequency rate (‘LTIFR’) improved to 1.64 (2019: 1.69) per million man
hours
• The reportable injury frequency rate (‘RIFR’) improved to 0.65 (2019: 0.85) per million man
hours
• Regrettably, the Group experienced one fatality at Barberton Mines (2019: Zero) during July
2020. The details of the fatal accident were discussed in the year end results announcement
released on 16 September 2020
• Evander Gold Mine achieved an excellent RIFR of 1.01 (2019:3.71) per million man hours
• Elikhulu experienced no lost-time and reportable injuries during the past 6 months,
contributing to the Group’s commendable safety performance

Barberton Mines

Barberton Mines’ production increased by 10.6% to 52,354oz (2019: 47,356oz) for the Current
Reporting Period. Underground production increased by 15.3% to 42,350oz (2019: 36,737oz) and
Barberton Tailings Retreatment Plant (BTRP) production remained stable at 10,004oz (2019:
10,619oz) for the Current Reporting Period.

The increased production from Barberton Mines is principally due to:

• Improved mining flexibility and available face length with the establishment of three high
grade platforms at the Fairview mine, as well as the extension of the strike length on the 256
and 257 platforms through active delineation drilling and systematic development. Fairview
mine has now established concurrent multiple platform availability.
• Improved recoveries at BTRP following the implementation of an oxygen Carbon-in-leach
(CIL) addition project, resulting in the feed sources achieving a higher recovery than
previously estimated.
• The high-grade section at New Consort’s Prince Consort (PC) Shaft 42 Level being successfully
extracted, this orebody remains continuous along the planned strike length and up-dip to 41
Level.

Elikhulu tailings retreatment plant (Elikhulu)

Gold production from Elikhulu decreased by 8.3% to 26,863oz (2019: 29,301oz) during the Current
Reporting Period, as a result of:

• Lower gold recoveries from the re-mining activities on Kinross Dam 1 and 2 during the
Current Reporting Period. As per the mine plan, re-mining activities have subsequently
moved to Kinross Dam 3, and Kinross Dam 3’s material indicates an improvement in
recoveries of approximately 5-10%, albeit at a lower head grade, relative to Dam 1 and 2
recoveries.
• Plant throughput was constrained by preventative maintenance and improvement work to
sections of the lower Elikhulu tailings storage facility compartment and the installation of
elevated drains. This work will be complete in February 2021, where after tonnage
throughput will again be increased.

Gold production from Elikhulu is expected to increase in the second half of the 2021 financial year.

Evander Mines’ 8 Shaft Pillar project (8 Shaft Pillar) and surface sources

Production from the Evander Mines operations increased by 17.7% to 19,169oz (2019: 16,284oz).

Underground production increased by 9.1% to 12,607oz (2019: 11,553oz). The ramp-up in
production of the 8 Shaft Pillar was slower than expected during the Current Reporting Period, as a
result of:

• Difficulties encountered with the initial installation of underground support pseudo-packs,
which have now been resolved following the introduction of dry tailings and additional grout
ranges for filler use.
• Production delays due to fracturing of the shaft lining following the establishment of the
pillar mining in the vicinity of the shaft.

Production from the 8 Shaft Pillar is expected to further improve during the second half of the 2021
financial year.

The increased production from surface sources of 6,562oz (2019: 4,731oz) also contributed
positively to the Group’s production for the Current Reporting Period.

Evander Mines Egoli Project (Egoli)

Early works and preparation for the execution phase of the Egoli project has commenced. Finalisation
of the legal agreements for the implementation of Egoli’s debt funding package is also currently
underway. Inception of the project’s construction is expected in the next month, with phase -1
construction and development expected to be completed in 18 months, followed by phase-2
development and equipping in the next 18 months thereafter. First gold is expected to be produced
within 20 months from the project’s inception.

Group net debt
The Group’s net debt decreased by 47.3% to US$65.2 million (2019: US$123.7 million). Relative to
the 30 June 2020 financial year-end, Group net debt decreased by 14.7% from US$76.4 million to
US$65.2 million. The Group’s debt is denominated in South African Rand and, in US Dollar terms,
the decline in net debt compared to the 30 June 2020 financial year-end, was impacted by the
strengthening of the Rand relative to the US Dollar at a closing rate of US$/ZAR14.70 compared to
US$/ZAR17.33 as at 30 June 2020.

The reduction in the net debt was achieved notwithstanding the cash outflow associated with the
record net Rand dividend payment to shareholders in December 2020 of US$18.4 million (2019:
US$2.9 million).

Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2020

Pan African will announce its interim results on 16 February 2021.

The information contained in this update is the responsibility of the Pan African board of directors
and has not been reviewed or reported on by the Group’s external auditors.

Rosebank

22 January 2021

This announcement contains inside information.

For further information on Pan African and its ESG initiatives, please visit the Company’s website at
www.panafricanresources.com

Contact information

Corporate Office Registered Office

The Firs Office Building Suite 31

2nd Floor, Office 204 Second Floor

Cnr. Cradock and Biermann Avenues 107 Cheapside

Rosebank, Johannesburg London

South Africa EC2V 6DN

Office: + 27 (0)11 243 2900 United Kingdom

info@paf.co.za Office: + 44 (0)20 7796 8644

Cobus Loots Deon Louw

Pan African Resources PLC Pan African Resources PLC

Chief Executive Officer Financial Director

Office: + 27 (0)11 243 2900 Office: + 27 (0)11 243 2900

Phil Dexter/Jane Kirton Ross Allister/David McKeown

St James’s Corporate Services Limited Peel Hunt LLP

Company Secretary Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker

Office: + 44 (0)20 7796 8644 Office: +44 (0)20 7418 8900

Ciska Kloppers Thomas Rider

Questco Corporate Advisory Proprietary Limited BMO Capital Markets Limited

JSE Sponsor Joint Broker

Office: + 27 (0)11 011 9200 Office: +44 (0)20 7236 1010

Hethen Hira Website: www.panafricanresources.com
Pan African Resources PLC
Head: Investor Relations
Tel: + 27 (0)11 243 2900
E-mail: hhira@paf.co.za

Date: 22-01-2021 09:00:00
Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited (‘JSE’).
The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of
the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,
information disseminated through SENS.

Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
21 January 2021 by Guest

Cricket: Australia media reacts to series defeat to India

Australia’s shock test series defeat against depleted India has led to doomsday predictions for a team which ruled the cricket world not too long ago. India’s fourth test win against all odds in Brisbane, giving them a 2 – 1 series triumph, is being portrayed as a watershed moment in the history of cricket. There …

Australia’s shock test series defeat against depleted India has led to doomsday predictions for a team which ruled the cricket world not too long ago.

India’s fourth test win against all odds in Brisbane, giving them a 2 – 1 series triumph, is being portrayed as a watershed moment in the history of cricket.

There has been widespread praise for India in the Australian media and among the fans, along with some despair over Australia’s prospects.

What India’s remarkable test win over Australia means for the Black Caps’ World Test Championship chances

Writing in the Telegraph, Robert “Crash” Craddock said Australia got “knocked cold”.

“Mark it down as one of the truly chastening results in Australian cricket history,” Craddock wrote.

“When an opposition team loses all four tosses, their captain, seven players through injury and still spank your regal backside you’ve got problems.

“But the real problem is that there are no answers.

“Apart from that rousing, bolt from the blue morning in Adelaide when India were bowled out for 36, Australia looked flat for most of the series.

“They had no presence in the field. No growl or snarl. No stare. No intent. India were the louder team on stump microphones and that is unheard of in Australia.

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“India have raised the bar in cricket. The scary thing is it is likely to keep going up.”

He said India had “inspired the entire cricket world”.

“Australia have been Pantsed,” he enthused, in reference to star Indian wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant.

One headline screamed: “The day India bullied the bullies out of Fortress Gabba”.

The Telegraph also reckoned captain Tim Paine was left with egg on his face after calling Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin a “d***head” in the third test, and saying “can’t wait to get you to the Gabba”.

Australia’s hopes of making the world test final had been dealt a “hammer blow”.

Sydney Morning Herald columnist Greg Baum thanked India for “one of the classic series (and) one of the more extraordinary days.”

Writing in The Australian, Peter Lalor said a “ragged, embattled and depleted group has embarrassed a full strength Australia”.

“They shifted the cricket world on its axis,” he continued.

“India was as fearless as Australia was nervous.”

India’s Ravichandran Ashwin shared an image on Twitter of former Australian players, now pundits, playing down his side’s chances after the first test defeat.

“There could be a good chance (of a whitewash)…with Kohli not being there…there’s almost no one to pick them up after a loss like that,” said former skipper Ricky Ponting.

Fellow ex-captain Michael Clarke also predicted a tame Indian response.

“Can you imagine this Indian batting line-up without Virat Kohli for the next two matches? They are in deep trouble,” he said.

“Four-nil to Australia,” predicted Mark Waugh, which was the same prediction by former England captain Michael Vaughan.

LHS ( not = ) RHS !

Yours happily
India tour of OZ 2020/21

Humbled by all the love and support we have received over the last 4 weeks!? pic.twitter.com/nmjC3znglx

— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) January 19, 2021

“I’m going to cop a lot of flak.”

Paine probably knows what is coming his way after becoming the first Australian captain to lose a test match at the Gabba since 1988, and somehow losing another test series to India on home soil.

The first time, in 2018-19, it was not long after he’d been elevated to lead the national team in a re-building phase after a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa that resulted in then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner being banned for 12 months.
Virat Kohli’s squad won that series 2-1 to claim India’s first test series win on Australian soil.

This time Australia had the settled combination — the top-rated bowling attack in test cricket, Smith and Warner back — and India was missing a team full of regular starters because of injuries and Kohli’s unavailability for three-quarters of the series. And yet India won 2-1, again.

Somehow, India found a way to rebound from one of its worst batting collapses — all out for 36 in an eight-wicket loss at Adelaide in the first test last month — to win the second test in Melbourne and get the emotional better of a drawn third test in Sydney.

When all it needed was a draw in Brisbane to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy, stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane’s injury-plagued India squad never had any intention other than to produce an upset win in the fourth and final test at the Gabba.

They did it with three overs, three wickets and only minutes to spare.

“I’m going to cop heaps of flak, I know that,” Paine said Tuesday in the wake of India’s remarkable three-wicket win. “I’ve been absolutely belted by (critics) for about seven days.”

Australia was in a strong position to win the third test last week but was unable to take eight wickets on the last day as India’s batting lineup dug in. The Australian fielders put down regulation catches — Paine was responsible for three of those in Sydney. And he was widely criticized for losing his cool and verbally attacking Ravichandran Ashwin as the India allrounder was batting to salvage a draw.

Paine, who’d considered giving up professional cricket not long before his test recall in 2017, was considered a calming influence when he first took over the test captaincy at a tumultuous time for the team in March 2018. He’d played his first four tests in 2010, then spent seven years out of the team in which he’d learned a lot about patience and resilience. He was firm but fair. Cool and composed.

Those traits abandoned him late in this series, and pundits picked up on it.

“That’s par for the course for this job. There’s people out there who’re paid to critique the game, and critique my performance as a player and a captain,” he said. “I’m totally fine with that. I’m very honest with myself. I know when I make mistakes.

“This has been slightly different for me the last two weeks with lots of criticism coming my way (but) you’ve got to have thick skin.”

He’s won 11, lost eight and drawn four of his 23 tests as captain.

Paine said his focus now is on winning Australia’s next test series against South Africa — likely to be in March — and on the team’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final in England later in the year.

“Still looking forward to going to South Africa … we had a goal to make this test championship final and I think that’s still achievable,” the 36-year-old wicketkeeper said.
“We’ve got some unfinished business … I intend to finish that.”

– With AP

Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
19 January 2021 by Guest

V8 Toyota Land Cruiser pickup offers farm truck alternative

You won’t spot many 70-series Toyota Land Cruisers on UK roads, but venture beyond Europe’s borders and this tough-as-old-boots workhorse is the go-to machine for those operating in harsh environments. Australasia is one of the strongholds, along with South Africa, the Middle East and South America, where it can be found working anywhere from a …

You won’t spot many 70-series Toyota Land Cruisers on UK roads, but venture beyond Europe’s borders and this tough-as-old-boots workhorse is the go-to machine for those operating in harsh environments.

Australasia is one of the strongholds, along with South Africa, the Middle East and South America, where it can be found working anywhere from a farm to an oil field.

Key features are a V8-diesel engine that develops up to 268hp, a five-speed manual transmission, part-time four-wheel drive system with locking front and rear axle diffs, a 3.5t towing capacity and 1.4t payload.

See also: Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Toyota Hilux

Tight UK emissions rules mean it isn’t available to buy here, save for a few examples that have been brought in by keen individuals willing to put in the effort.

However, thanks to a tie-up between a Land Cruiser importer and an overland vehicle specialist in Wiltshire, the process of buying and running one has been made considerably simpler.

Rowlands and Hordon Automotive Solutions takes on the job of sourcing the vehicle and getting it into the country, while RH and IR Cradock prepares it for UK roads, carries out any modifications the customer wants and maintains it in the future.

Watch a short clip of the Land Cruiser in action and read the rest of the report below.

What is available?

The 70 series is available as a five-door station wagon, three-door troop carrier and single- or double-cab pickup.

Each variant has its own series number, with the station wagons referred to as the 76 series, the troop carrier as the 78 series and the pickups as the 79 series.

The double-cab pickups are available in two standard specifications, starting with the simple Workmate that features steel wheels and rudimentary dash.

GXL versions are blessed with a few more trinkets, such as a rev counter, alloy wheels, flared wheel arches, front and rear axle diff-locks and occasionally a front winch bumper.

If that’s still a little basic for your liking, there’s a vast array of aftermarket equipment available to get the spec just so.

Prices vary according to exchange rates and import duty, but as a rough guide, single-cab pickups range from £36,000-£40,000 in left-hand drive and £45,000-£55,000 in right-hand drive.

Double cabs are a little pricier, ranging from £37,000-£41,000 in left-hand drive and £48,000-£58,000 in right-hand drive.

All pickup models are classed as commercial vehicles, which means they’re subject to the flat road tax rate of £265/year.

Rear view of V8 Land Cruiser pickup

© Benjy Cradock

The fact the trucks are grey imports means they don’t come with a manufacturer warranty.

However, RH and IR Cradock can source all of the parts and carry out any work that is required.

For those looking to spend less, it is possible to import and modify used trucks.

Buyers that are happy with a standard vehicle can approach either Rowlands and Hordon Automotive Solutions or RH and IR Cradock and the price will be the same.

However, those that are looking for upgrades and ongoing support are best going through the Cradock business, which is run by Ian, Joanne, Benjy and Ashley Cradock.

Once the vehicle arrives in the country, it is adapted to meet UK road regulations and goes through UK Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) testing before a V5 registration certificate is issued.

The Cradocks will then carry out any modifications that are required.

This can be as simple as waxing the chassis to protect against corrosion, through to major component upgrades.

Modified pickup

The pickup pictured was commissioned by Hertfordshire-based Pursley Plant Hire and started out as a standard truck imported from Dubai, before receiving extensive modifications.

At the front, the stock suspension was replaced with Ironman coils and large-bore shock absorbers that give a 2in lift.

The original rear leaf springs were also upgraded to smoother-riding Terrain Tamer parabolic springs, which were teamed with Boss air bags to help correct the ride height when carrying or towing heavy loads.

To give some extra load space, the stock rear tub was removed and a custom aluminium tray conversion with drop sides and underslung toolboxes added.

One of the toolboxes was fitted with a 12V twin air compressor plumbed into a 2gal tank with gauges and a switch for the rear air bags.

A stainless-steel 3in custom exhaust system was also fabricated to the customer’s design.

All of these parts were built or sourced by Benjy Cradock under his own brand NBF Bespoke.

Final exterior touches include an Ironman 4×4 winch bumper with LED spotlights and alloy wheels shod with Cooper STT Pro mud terrain tyres.

A Tunit chip was also fitted to boost power by 45hp and improve the torque curve.

Interior

As for the interior, the original bench was replaced with a pair of leather Recaro sports seats and the rears were reupholstered to match.

Interior of V8 Land Cruiser pickup

© Benjy Cradock

A centre cubby box, overhead roof storage and door pockets with speaker pods were also added.

These were all Cruiser Consoles products, which were specially imported from Australia.

Finally, it was treated to some upgraded speakers and an Apple Car Play head unit.

Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
18 January 2021 by Guest

Medical oxygen: Afrox recalls industrial cylinders for conversion amid skyrocketing Eastern Cape demand

The Eastern Cape government has ramped up oxygen provision to its smaller hospitals and clinics as a second Covid-19 outbreak tears through the province. (Photo: Gallo Images) As a brutal second wave of Covid-19 infections ripped through the Eastern Cape, the demand for oxygen cylinders became so great that oxygen supplier Afrox recalled cylinders from …


The Eastern Cape government has ramped up oxygen provision to its smaller hospitals and clinics as a second Covid-19 outbreak tears through the province. (Photo: Gallo Images)

As a brutal second wave of Covid-19 infections ripped through the Eastern Cape, the demand for oxygen cylinders became so great that oxygen supplier Afrox recalled cylinders from its industrial clients to convert them for medical purposes.

As the second Covid-19 wave rips through the Eastern Cape and the country, medical oxygen manufacturer Afrox has confirmed that it has invoked the force majeure clause in its contracts with industrial manufacturers to enable it to recall industrial oxygen cylinders to be converted for medical oxygen. 

In a presentation to the parliamentary health committee this week, Dr Sibongile Zungu, acting head of the Eastern Cape Department of Health, said the department had received a letter from Afrox, the sole supplier of medical oxygen in the Eastern Cape, saying its capacity to supply oxygen was under strain and that it had therefore released the department from parts of its contract barring it from procuring supplies elsewhere.

Zungu said this was “a little bit of a challenge at this point because the other suppliers are also stretched. We have engaged our treasury for this work.” Zungu, who is also the head of the Covid-19 project team, said the Joe Gqabi district (around Aliwal North) and Chris Hani District (including Cradock and Komani) were mainly affected.

By 15 December, 4,000 cylinders had been converted.

Zungu said that to cut down on the need for oxygen cylinders the department had commissioned bulk tanks at hospitals including Mthatha Regional, Victoria, Stutterheim, Butterworth, Settlers, St Barnabas, Bhisho and Grey, so that cylinders could be reallocated to other hospitals. 

Installations and commissioning of bulk oxygen tanks at Stutterheim Hospital had been delayed due to copper and component shortages. There had been a delay at St Barnabas Hospital as an access road for contractors had to be constructed. Installation of tanks at Madzikane Ka Zulu and St Patrick’s hospitals were also scheduled to begin this week, depending on the availability of copper components.

There are also plans to install bulk tanks at the hospital in Aliwal North and the All Saints Hospital.

Zungu told Parliament this week that Afrox had to invoke the force majeure clause in its contracts with industrial oxygen customers so that it could convert industrial oxygen cylinders to medical cylinders.

“Bhisho and Settlers hospitals were using in excess of 150 cylinders of 9.2kg… every two days,” she said. 

She said a WhatsApp group had been set up for hospital CEOs to raise urgent oxygen issues.

Zungu said insufficient stock of oxygen and availability of fleet at the Queenstown and Mthatha depots had hospitals sending their drivers to help transport oxygen cylinders. She said there were concerns about drivers’ safety and occupational health and safety requirements. 

As a contingency plan, oxygen concentrators had been supplied to some facilities to enable interventions for patients having trouble breathing while awaiting transfer to facilities where oxygen is available, said Zungu.

“We have provided oxygen concentrators to primary healthcare facilities and district hospitals to ensure that they can do some kind of intervention,” she said.

Afrox communication manager Nolundi Rawana confirmed that Afrox declared a “force majeure” to its industrial oxygen clients in December.

“Due to the large number of hospitalised patients requiring oxygen therapy certain hospitals administer up to 400% more oxygen via bulk tanks and oxygen delivery systems to patients than the designed capacity at the hospital.

“Afrox monitors hospital tank levels nationwide via telemetry (all installed bulk tanks at hospitals have telemetry systems), and schedule deliveries accordingly,” said Rawana.

“In some instances, deliveries are now scheduled twice a day instead of twice a week. This additional demand requires Afrox to have flexibility on bulk delivery tankers to transport the oxygen to hospitals. Afrox allocated a portion of the industrial tanker fleet to medical oxygen tankers to enable fast delivery to hospitals.

“Afrox is also converting additional tankers used to transport other liquid gases to liquid oxygen tankers and will have additional distribution capacity available soon,” said Rawana. 

“Afrox has experienced an unprecedented demand for cylinders due to infection spread and has converted 8,000 industrial cylinders to medical oxygen cylinders. Another 7,000 will be converted to bring the total to 15,000 cylinders. Afrox cooperates with hospitals and the Department of Health to ensure fast turnaround times for cylinders.

Rawana said that the impact of converting 15,000 cylinders meant that Afrox could not guarantee deliveries to industrial customers “during these unprecedented times”.

“The impact is on all manufacturing market sectors Afrox supplies,” she said.

She said Afrox had supplied adequate medical oxygen in South Africa to contracted customers. “Afrox has successfully cooperated with the medical fraternity, and together with the impact of the actions taken above, managed the situation to meet unprecedented medical demand,” said Rawana.

Zungu said that given the demand for oxygen cylinders in the Eastern Cape, the department was thinking of asking the South African National Defence Force to help with the collection of oxygen from Queenstown and transporting it 200km to the hospital in the Joe Gqabi District (around Aliwal North) “in case of our own capacity becoming exhausted”.

She said Afrox had kept its distribution centres open during the festive season and weekends to meet hospital oxygen needs. DM/MC

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Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
16 January 2021 by Guest

Another Bugs-eyed view of life in Lower Albany

Retired Makhanda entomologist Brian “Bugs” Wilmot is preserving a slice of Settler heritage with his light-hearted new book, LA Lore iii True Blue. Recording the wisdom and wit of local farming personalities in quirky Eastern Cape lingo, LA Lore by Wilmot and Quentin Hogg carries stories and anecdotes from the “boets” and “swaers” of the …

Retired Makhanda entomologist Brian “Bugs” Wilmot is preserving a slice of Settler heritage with his light-hearted new book, LA Lore iii True Blue.

Recording the wisdom and wit of local farming personalities in quirky Eastern Cape lingo, LA Lore by Wilmot and Quentin Hogg carries stories and anecdotes from the “boets” and “swaers” of the Lower Albany district…

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Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
14 January 2021 by Guest

SEE | 13 more cash-strapped Eastern Cape municipalities – and the biggest culprits owing Eskom money

The 2020 Auditor-General report indicated that 83% of municipalities in the Eastern Cape are facing significant cash flow restraints and the expenses of 38% of municipalities exceed their revenue. Twenty-four of the 39 municipalities in the province are unable to pay creditors within the 30-day legislated period. Fourteen local municipalities out of the 39 municipalities in …

  • The 2020 Auditor-General report indicated that 83% of municipalities in the Eastern Cape are facing significant cash flow restraints and the expenses of 38% of municipalities exceed their revenue.
  • Twenty-four of the 39 municipalities in the province are unable to pay creditors within the 30-day legislated period.
  • Fourteen local municipalities out of the 39 municipalities in the Eastern Cape are in “serious financial distress” and are unable to provide services.

The financial crisis at the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) in the Eastern Cape is just the tip of the iceberg because 24 of 39 municipalities in the province are standing on the edge of a fiscal cliff, the DA has warned.  

According to the 2020 Auditor-General (AG) report, 83% of municipalities in the Eastern Cape are facing significant cash flow restraints and the expenses of 38% of municipalities exceeded their revenue.

On Thursday, the DA wrote a letter to Cogta MEC Xolile Nqatha asking him to establish a specialised task team to evaluate the financial sustainability of all the municipalities in the Eastern Cape and to carry out a complete re-estimation of which municipalities were in distress so that the necessary measures could be taken to save failing municipalities.

This was in light of the announcement made by the ADM that it was in financial difficulty, so much so that it could not afford to pay its workers’ salaries for four months.

READ HERE | Broke Amathole District Municipality hired 900 employees who were ‘not needed’

During a DA press conference on Thursday under the theme “Unpacking total collapse of Eastern Cape municipalities”, DA MPL Vicky Knoetze warned that urgent intervention was necessary to prevent many municipalities from collapsing, like the ADM.

The party painted a picture to show that most municipalities were deep in debt, bankrupt and unable to provide services.

The municipalities are so broke, they are struggling to pay Eskom for bulk electricity and collectively owe it in excess of R1 billion.

The biggest culprits that owe Eskom money are: 

  • Enoch Mgijima in Komani, with debt of R490 million;
  • Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality in Cradock, which owed R190 million;
  • Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality in Graaff-Reinet with R150 million debt; and
  • Raymond Mhlaba in Alice which owed R25 million.

Knoetze said some municipalities’ financial statuses were partly due to bloated organograms which led to an unaffordable salary bill.

READ | No pay for workers for 4 months, says bankrupt Eastern Cape municipality

Knoetze said this was caused by the ANC’s policy of cadre deployment which led to jobs for pals. She said the policy was wreaking havoc across municipalities in the Eastern Cape.

“It is turning government into a glorified employment agency and it is protecting a small employed elite at the expense of delivering services to millions of people in this province,” said Knoetze.

DA provincial leader Nqaba Bhanga launched a scathing attack on the provincial government leadership.

“The premier and the MEC of Cogta are folding their arms, watching a match that they are supposed to be playing in. The ANC government and Eastern Cape government cannot be trusted to handle the affairs of the province.”

The party revealed that 14 local municipalities out of the 39 municipalities in the Eastern Cape were in “serious financial distress” and that they were unable to provide services.

The municipalities are:

  • Walter Sisulu
  • Enoch Mgijima
  • Raymond Mhlaba
  • Dr Beyers Naude
  • Mhlontlo
  • Koukamma
  • Makana
  • Great Kei
  • Amahlathi
  • Inxuba Yethemba
  • Ingquza Hill
  • Port St Johns
  • King Sabata Dalindyebo
  • Amathole

Bhanga said alarming levels of fruitless and wasteful expenditure amounted to an accumulated figure of R11 billion. He added that about 69% of the municipal debt in the province was irrecoverable.

The revenue collection rate at all municipalities was dismal, at only 84.5%, against the National Treasury benchmark of 95%.

Bhanga said:

  

Bhanga said had the DA not taken control of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro in Port Elizabeth, it might have been one of the 14 municipalities in distress.

“More than a third of municipalities in the province have been allowed to degenerate into a state of complete bankruptcy such as the example of [the] Amathole District Municipality, [which] will be unable to pay their staff, councillors [and] creditors for February, April, May, June. If this is not a crisis, I don’t know what a disaster is,” exclaimed Bhanga.   

ALSO READ | No money to pay workers: EFF wants administrator to take over bankrupt Amathole municipality

Knoetze also revealed that 24 of the 39 municipalities in the province were unable to pay creditors within the 30-day legislated period.

Called for a response to the DA’s statements, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and provincial government spokesperson Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha accused the party of spreading misinformation.

“What Nqaba Bhanga is saying, he is peddling misinformation and is ignorant of the responsibility that councillors and officials have in running the affairs of municipalities.”

He said:

Asked if he received the DA’s letter, MEC Xolile Nqatha said he had.

“I have received letters from MPL Knoetze which were always municipal specific. I have not received the general one calling for [an] assessment.

“Even if received, it is work we are doing through the Provincial Treasurer as we have [a memorandum of understanding] between the two departments, as it relates to supporting municipalities in the province.

“The work I’m doing is with the municipalities and communities not in the media where the DA has a permanent seat,” Nqatha said.

ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi had not responded to questions at the time of writing. His comment would be added once received.  


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Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
14 January 2021 by Guest

SEE | 13 more cash-strapped Eastern Cape municipalities – and the biggest culprits owing Eskom money

The 2020 Auditor-General report indicated that 83% of municipalities in the Eastern Cape are facing significant cash flow restraints and the expenses of 38% of municipalities exceed their revenue. Twenty-four of the 39 municipalities in the province are unable to pay creditors within the 30-day legislated period. Fourteen local municipalities out of the 39 municipalities in …

  • The 2020 Auditor-General report indicated that 83% of municipalities in the Eastern Cape are facing significant cash flow restraints and the expenses of 38% of municipalities exceed their revenue.
  • Twenty-four of the 39 municipalities in the province are unable to pay creditors within the 30-day legislated period.
  • Fourteen local municipalities out of the 39 municipalities in the Eastern Cape are in “serious financial distress” and are unable to provide services.

The financial crisis at the Amathole District Municipality (ADM) in the Eastern Cape is just the tip of the iceberg because 24 of 39 municipalities in the province are standing on the edge of a fiscal cliff, the DA has warned.  

According to the 2020 Auditor-General (AG) report, 83% of municipalities in the Eastern Cape are facing significant cash flow restraints and the expenses of 38% of municipalities exceeded their revenue.

On Thursday, the DA wrote a letter to Cogta MEC Xolile Nqatha asking him to establish a specialised task team to evaluate the financial sustainability of all the municipalities in the Eastern Cape and to carry out a complete re-estimation of which municipalities were in distress so that the necessary measures could be taken to save failing municipalities.

This was in light of the announcement made by the ADM that it was in financial difficulty, so much so that it could not afford to pay its workers’ salaries for four months.

READ HERE | Broke Amathole District Municipality hired 900 employees who were ‘not needed’

During a DA press conference on Thursday under the theme “Unpacking total collapse of Eastern Cape municipalities”, DA MPL Vicky Knoetze warned that urgent intervention was necessary to prevent many municipalities from collapsing, like the ADM.

The party painted a picture to show that most municipalities were deep in debt, bankrupt and unable to provide services.

The municipalities are so broke, they are struggling to pay Eskom for bulk electricity and collectively owe it in excess of R1 billion.

The biggest culprits that owe Eskom money are: 

  • Enoch Mgijima in Komani, with debt of R490 million;
  • Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality in Cradock, which owed R190 million;
  • Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality in Graaff-Reinet with R150 million debt; and
  • Raymond Mhlaba in Alice which owed R25 million.

Knoetze said some municipalities’ financial statuses were partly due to bloated organograms which led to an unaffordable salary bill.

READ | No pay for workers for 4 months, says bankrupt Eastern Cape municipality

Knoetze said this was caused by the ANC’s policy of cadre deployment which led to jobs for pals. She said the policy was wreaking havoc across municipalities in the Eastern Cape.

“It is turning government into a glorified employment agency and it is protecting a small employed elite at the expense of delivering services to millions of people in this province,” said Knoetze.

DA provincial leader Nqaba Bhanga launched a scathing attack on the provincial government leadership.

“The premier and the MEC of Cogta are folding their arms, watching a match that they are supposed to be playing in. The ANC government and Eastern Cape government cannot be trusted to handle the affairs of the province.”

The party revealed that 14 local municipalities out of the 39 municipalities in the Eastern Cape were in “serious financial distress” and that they were unable to provide services.

The municipalities are:

  • Walter Sisulu
  • Enoch Mgijima
  • Raymond Mhlaba
  • Dr Beyers Naude
  • Mhlontlo
  • Koukamma
  • Makana
  • Great Kei
  • Amahlathi
  • Inxuba Yethemba
  • Ingquza Hill
  • Port St Johns
  • King Sabata Dalindyebo
  • Amathole

Bhanga said alarming levels of fruitless and wasteful expenditure amounted to an accumulated figure of R11 billion. He added that about 69% of the municipal debt in the province was irrecoverable.

The revenue collection rate at all municipalities was dismal, at only 84.5%, against the National Treasury benchmark of 95%.

Bhanga said:

  

Bhanga said had the DA not taken control of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro in Port Elizabeth, it might have been one of the 14 municipalities in distress.

“More than a third of municipalities in the province have been allowed to degenerate into a state of complete bankruptcy such as the example of [the] Amathole District Municipality, [which] will be unable to pay their staff, councillors [and] creditors for February, April, May, June. If this is not a crisis, I don’t know what a disaster is,” exclaimed Bhanga.   

ALSO READ | No money to pay workers: EFF wants administrator to take over bankrupt Amathole municipality

Knoetze also revealed that 24 of the 39 municipalities in the province were unable to pay creditors within the 30-day legislated period.

Called for a response to the DA’s statements, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and provincial government spokesperson Mvusiwekhaya Sicwetsha accused the party of spreading misinformation.

“What Nqaba Bhanga is saying, he is peddling misinformation and is ignorant of the responsibility that councillors and officials have in running the affairs of municipalities.”

He said:

Asked if he received the DA’s letter, MEC Xolile Nqatha said he had.

“I have received letters from MPL Knoetze which were always municipal specific. I have not received the general one calling for [an] assessment.

“Even if received, it is work we are doing through the Provincial Treasurer as we have [a memorandum of understanding] between the two departments, as it relates to supporting municipalities in the province.

“The work I’m doing is with the municipalities and communities not in the media where the DA has a permanent seat,” Nqatha said.

ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi had not responded to questions at the time of writing. His comment would be added once received.  


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Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
13 January 2021 by Guest

Stellenbosch student dies from COVID-19 days after sister

Two sisters who attended Stellenbosch University have died from COVID-19 less than a week apart. Samantha Stander (27) died on December 27 and her sister, Bridget Stander (19) died on January 2. Samantha was diagnosed with COVID-19 on December 21 and hospitalised in her hometown of Cradock in the Eastern Cape. Bridget was diagnosed with …

Two sisters who attended Stellenbosch University have died from COVID-19 less than a week apart.

Samantha Stander (27) died on December 27 and her sister, Bridget Stander (19) died on January 2.

Samantha was diagnosed with COVID-19 on December 21 and hospitalised in her hometown of Cradock in the Eastern Cape. Bridget was diagnosed with COVID-19 and developed pneumonia in late December 2020, according to Union High School where she was a learner.

“Bridget, who commenced her studies towards a BCom (Financial Accounting) degree at the University of Stellenbosch at the start of 2020, was spending the December holidays with her family in her hometown of Cradock when she took ill,” Union High School said.

Ashleigh, Bridget and Samantha’s sister, said that Samantha shared her ventilator with Bridget in the state hospital as there was only one available which they got from a family friend, according to Netwerk24.

However when Samantha’s condition deteriorated, doctors tried to relocate her to the hospital in Port Elizabeth, but there were no beds available and she had to be transferred to Bloemfontein instead. Samantha died in the ambulance on the way.

Bridget was later hospitalised at St George’s Hospital in Port Elizabeth.

Samantha and Ashleigh both completed their Medical degrees at the University of Stellenbosch in 2020. “Now, every time I write ‘Dr Stander’ it will be for her,” Ashleigh said.

Picture: Facebook/Union High School

Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
11 January 2021 by Guest

Cradock Four family pushes NPA to make prosecutions

Fort Calata’s son Lukhanyo says they NPA has not told them why they are not prosecuting the Cradock Four case. The family of the Cradock Four are demanding that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) prosecute those behind the murders of their loved ones. In June 1985, apartheid security forces brutally murdered anti-apartheid activists, Matthew Goniwe, …

Fort Calata’s son Lukhanyo says they NPA has not told them why they are not prosecuting the Cradock Four case.

The family of the Cradock Four are demanding that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) prosecute those behind the murders of their loved ones.

In June 1985, apartheid security forces brutally murdered anti-apartheid activists, Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli near Port Elizabeth.

The 1994 Zietsman Inquest confirmed the Security Branch had carried out the killings. and in 1998, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) disclosed the identities of the suspects and recommended they be prosecuted.

To date, no one has been prosecuted for the murders of the Cradock Four.

Joanne Joseph speaks to the son of Fort Calata, Lukhanyo Calata, about the progress of the case.

The NPA has given us no reason, they have never said anything. They have completely ignored this case and they have completely ignored us hoping we would go away.

Lukhanyo Calata, Son of Fort Calata

The reason why we have been left to pursue this case and to push is because the NPA has not given us a reason why they have failed to prosecute thus far.

Lukhanyo Calata, Son of Fort Calata

Calata says the only thing they know is that former National Director of Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli had received political pressure about TRC cases.

Based on Vusi Pikoli and what he told us, we know there was political pressure from the ANC and the ANC government not to prosecute TRC cases.

Lukhanyo Calata, Son of Fort Calata

Listen to the full interview below…

190201-batohi-edjpg
Copyright :
Source : Kgomotso Modise/EWN


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Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
10 January 2021 by Guest

All systems go for matric marking

Matric marking centres opened their doors on Monday as marking of the 2020 final exam papers is set to start by Thursday  nationwide… This article is reserved for DispatchLIVE subscribers. Get access to ALL DispatchLIVE content from only R45.00 per month. Already subscribed? Simply sign in below. Already registered on HeraldLIVE, BusinessLIVE, TimesLIVE or SowetanLIVE? …

Matric marking centres opened their doors on Monday as marking of the 2020 final exam papers is set to start by Thursday  nationwide…

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Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
8 January 2021 by Guest

EC family battles to come to terms with death of daughters days apart

All Bridget Stander wanted to do before climbing into an ambulance, alone, to Life St George’s Hospital was to hug her parents — but she could not… This article is reserved for DispatchLIVE subscribers. Get access to ALL DispatchLIVE content from only R45.00 per month. Already subscribed? Simply sign in below. Already registered on HeraldLIVE, …

All Bridget Stander wanted to do before climbing into an ambulance, alone, to Life St George’s Hospital was to hug her parents — but she could not…

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Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
7 January 2021 by Guest

What’s cooking today: Hot Water Pie Crust

Pulled venison pies with a hot water pastry crust. (Photo: Tony Jackman) January is tight for many of us, and turning frozen leftovers into pies is an easy and cheap way to transform forgotten leftovers into a family meal. This madly easy pastry topping will work for almost any savoury pie. That early salary payment …


Pulled venison pies with a hot water pastry crust. (Photo: Tony Jackman)

January is tight for many of us, and turning frozen leftovers into pies is an easy and cheap way to transform forgotten leftovers into a family meal. This madly easy pastry topping will work for almost any savoury pie.

That early salary payment many people receive in mid-December is such a boon at the time, but the high CoC (Cost of Christmas) soon puts paid to that heady swirl of indulgence. Come early to mid-January, the next payday seems an aeon away. For those who have a freezer into which leftovers get tucked away in bakkies for a rainy day, now might be the time to see what’s in there and can go into a pie this January.

In our household, it’s often leftover curry that gets frozen for a later day, and curry, if boneless (or if you remove the bones), makes a great pie filling; whether mutton, lamb or chicken. The leftovers of a meaty potjie are also good for a pie, as is leftover roast chicken meat or the meat of any roast joint, whether pork, beef or lamb.

The trick is to revive whatever it is by making a suitable stock or sauce to bring it back to life and ensure that your pie filling is not dry. And to have a recipe to hand for a quick and fuss-free pie crust.

With this in mind this week, I investigated the freezer and found in it the remains of Oom Johan’s rhebuck (ribbok) leg which he brought over the road one day in late winter. I had slow-cooked it in a big pot in vegetable stock with various aromatics, and the leftovers, with a fair bit of said stock, were then frozen. On thawing it I discovered that the meat was just like soft pulled pork and there was so much stock left that it was far from too dry for use in a pie.

However, I took it a stage further, as I had to hand the tougher bits of some other venison from which I decided to make a fresh venison stock. Into a pot went these venison bits, with celery, carrots, onion, leeks, peppercorns, star anise, and juniper berries, which I reduced down to a shadow of its former self.

I added a glass of merlot (which I also happened to have to hand) along with 3 Tbsp of sweet soy sauce (or kecap manis) and salt and pepper. Once this was reduced to a nice syrupy sauce and seasoned with salt and pepper, it was ready for the pie.

The thawed venison meat from the formerly frozen ribbok leg only had to be pulled apart into slivers by hand and kept aside ready to go into a pie.

I poured the new sauce over the shredded venison meat in the pie dish, and put homemade hot water pastry over it, folding it over at the edges and crimping them with my fingers. A quick brushing of egg wash, a hole prodded at the centre with a blunt knife, and the pie was ready for the oven.

So, you can follow this method, more or less, for pretty much any leftovers you might have, and adapting your stock/sauce to fit whatever your meat is. For chicken you might prefer white wine instead of merlot, for pork something a little sweeter; for beef, red wine; for venison perhaps a muscadel, port or sherry. For chicken you might want to replace the juniper berries with fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary, for beef you might fry up some bacon bits to go in; for lamb, oregano thyme and mint, and of course garlic in everything.

The complete pie needs a 220? oven for between 25 and 35 minutes or until golden brown. If you use pastry underneath the filling, prick the base many times with a fork before adding the filling. In my version shown here, there was no pastry underneath.

Whatever your filling is, here’s a recipe for a strong and crunchy pastry with rich colour and pleasing texture. It’s super easy and comes to me from my Cradock friend Lani Lombard, who knows a thing or two about pie crusts.

Hot Water Pie Crust

1 cup/250 ml water

250 g salted butter

4 cups plain flour

Melt the butter and water together in a pot and simmer until all the butter has melted and it reaches boiling point. Put the flour into a bowl, make a well, and pour the hot water into it. Stir quickly with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, just to combine the liquid and flour. Then mix it with clean hands, while it is hot, to form a nice smooth, pliable dough. It does not need salt. (When the hot water mixes with the flour it will cool quickly so that you won’t burn your hands.)

It’s ready to use or you can cover it with cling film and refrigerate for use later. DM/TGIFood

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  • dawn-4243 says:

    I’m saving this Pie Crust recipe. Thank you.

  • Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
    5 January 2021 by Guest

    COVID-19 WRAP | South Africa records 12, 601 new Covid-19 cases

    January 04 2020 – 21:11 SA passes 30,000 confirmed Covid-19 deaths, with 434 in just one day SA passed another grim Covid-19 milestone on Monday night as the death toll from the respiratory illness passed 30,000. Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said in a statement that 434 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours, …


    January 04 2020 – 21:11

    SA passes 30,000 confirmed Covid-19 deaths, with 434 in just one day

    SA passed another grim Covid-19 milestone on Monday night as the death toll from the respiratory illness passed 30,000.

    Health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said in a statement that 434 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours, taking the national death toll to 30,011.

    Of the newly recorded deaths, 157 were in the Western Cape, 133 were in the Eastern Cape, 71 in KwaZulu-Natal, 36 in Gauteng, 25 in the North West, seven in Limpopo and two in the Free State.

    Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
    4 January 2021 by Guest

    COVID-19 LIVE UPDATES | ‘We’re fairly confident SA will have vaccines in quarter one’: Anban Pillay

    January 04 2020 – 08:15 ‘There is a lot of fighting behind the scenes’: Zweli Mkhize on race to secure Covid-19 vaccines Government’s plan to roll out Covid-19 vaccines will see recipients getting the jab at work, through outreach programmes and general practitioners and at vaccination centres. The department of health outlined its vaccine rollout …


    January 04 2020 – 08:15

    ‘There is a lot of fighting behind the scenes’: Zweli Mkhize on race to secure Covid-19 vaccines

    Government’s plan to roll out Covid-19 vaccines will see recipients getting the jab at work, through outreach programmes and general practitioners and at vaccination centres.

    The department of health outlined its vaccine rollout strategy in a briefing on Sunday evening, explaining government was targeting 67% of the population in its strategy to establish herd immunity.

    Director-general of health Dr Anban Pillay said phase one of the vaccine rollout, covering front line health workers, would see recipients vaccinated at workplaces.

    Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
    4 January 2021 by Guest

    3 die in Eastern Cape car crash

    Three people have died in a car crash and two others sustained serious injuries after a vehicle they were travelling in overturned on the R61 road towards Cradock in the Eastern Cape. The injured are receiving medical attention at Cradock hospital. Provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose has blamed the crash on reckless driving and speeding. …

    Three people have died in a car crash and two others sustained serious injuries after a vehicle they were travelling in overturned on the R61 road towards Cradock in the Eastern Cape.

    The injured are receiving medical attention at Cradock hospital.

    Provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose has blamed the crash on reckless driving and speeding.

    “It’s not clear who behind the wheel between these five men from the two that are recovering in the hospital. We are hoping to get information as to who was behind the wheel when the accident happened. A case of culpable homicide has been opened for investigation we believe that these were men that were heading to their places of work to Western Cape from Eastern Cape.”

    What to do if you are in a Road Crash! https://t.co/6XuxODztpI #ArriveAlive #RoadSafety #Crashes #CrashResponse pic.twitter.com/GgE9ImKeNk

    — Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) January 3, 2021

    On New Year’s Eve four members of one family were killed in a collision between two vehicles on the N2 between Butterworth and East London in the Eastern Cape.

    The deceased were burnt beyond recognition and five others were seriously injured after both vehicles caught fire.

    Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
    2 January 2021 by Guest

    2020 Fish River Canoe Marathon cancelled due to coronavirus

    The organisers of this year’s Fish River Canoe Marathon has decided to the cancel the race scheduled for 25-26 September due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The event has become the biggest paddling event in the country and was set to host the South African National K1 and K3 River Championships this year. “Although South Africa …

    The organisers of this year’s Fish River Canoe Marathon has decided to the cancel the race scheduled for 25-26 September due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

    The event has become the biggest paddling event in the country and was set to host the South African National K1 and K3 River Championships this year.

    “Although South Africa is currently operating under level 3 of the lockdown regulations, there is no indication when mass participation events and functions will be able to start, or what the protocols will be,” Roy Copeman, chairperson of the organising committee, said via a press statement.

    “Given the scale and budget of the Fish, and the impact that it has on so many spheres of the Cradock community, we had to make a decision now. We strongly believe our solution is the one that benefits our paddlers the most.”

    Copeman added that there were multiple factors that led to the cancellation of the two-day tournament.

    “Cross provincial travel restrictions might potentially ease during lockdown level two but the status of ‘hotspots’ can fluctuate and prevent travelling between provinces any time during lockdown,” he said.

    “Mass participation events will only be allowed to take place under lockdown level 0 and we are unsure of the time-frame of the various levels or when level 0 will happen.

    “There is also uncertainty around when supporting businesses can operate normally, such as accommodation establishments and restaurants. This has a huge impact on our event,” he added.

    Despite the cancellation the committee is still continuing with an open mind with the option of a social Fish River Canoe Marathon still on the table later in the year.

    “If the opportunity presents itself later in the year, we will organise a ‘Social Fish’. The possible plan will be to start Day One at Prospect and finish at Baroda. Day Two from Knutsford to Cradock, finishing at the Cradock Canoe Club.”

    – Compiled by Sport24 staff

    Category: NewsTag: cradock, news, online, south africa
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