Environment
15.2.2019 07:15 am
Hong Kong seizes $1m of rhino horn in record airport haul
Two men carrying at least 24 severed rhino horns were arrested in Hong Kong airport by customs officers who said it was their largest ever seizure of rhino contraband smuggled by air passengers.
The haul -- worth some HK$8 million ($1 million) -- was transported brazenly through the terminal in two cardboard boxes, the customs department said.
Hong Kong seizes $1m of rhino horn in record airport haul
Two men carrying at least 24 severed rhino horns were arrested in Hong Kong airport by customs officers who said it was their largest ever seizure of rhino contraband smuggled by air passengers.
Politics
Not one word on Bosasa in Ramaphosa’s #SONAreply
In the second-to-last speech in the debate, DA MP Solly Malatsi said Ramaphosa refused to release the contract between his son and Bosasa.
Load Shedding
Load shedding ‘not likely’ on Friday – Eskom
Eskom was not likely to implement load shedding on Friday, the power utility said.
Education
Lesufi wants ongoing scrutiny to stop sex pest teachers
Lesufi said he would meet with other education MECs and Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga to work out a new approach.
State Capture
McBride is ready to spill Ipid capture beans
Former president Jacob Zuma, ministers and senior state officials are expected to be among those implicated by McBride.
Government
Don’t sign Aarto Bill, Ramaphosa – lobby groups
It ‘presents far too many flaws and loopholes’ and ‘will not pass constitutional scrutiny’.
General
New labour rules require secret ballots before strikes, lockouts
Trade unions and employers are now required to conduct a secret ballot among their members before going on strike, or starting a lockout.
Politics
Rain or shine, ANC manifesto launch in Limpopo will go ahead
In case of more torrential rain falling, more marquees will be erected, the Limpopo ANC says.
General
Enel Green Power invests big in SA power-generating solutions
Enel already operates more than 520MW of wind and solar plants in the country.
Politics
Blackouts will hurt ANC at polls – analysts
This year is ‘likely to be the most difficult elections for the ANC since 1994, as the opposition will use Eskom and state capture as weapons’.
Courts
Constitutional Court faces Jacob Zuma conundrum
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng asked whether the court would be expected to deliberate on a decision which could’ve involved political considerations.
Politics
Expect more ‘politics of gossip’ attacks on ANC – analyst
Many accusations of ‘selling out’ have been heard recently, including one by EFF leader Julius Malema that Nelson Mandela sold out to apartheid authorities.
World
Desperate Venezuelans sneak across Colombia border to peddle scrap
In the thick vegetation along the Colombian border, bands of Venezuelans make their way unseen, puffing under the heavy loads of scrap metal on their backs like leaf-cutter ants, covered in filth and trying to make enough money to simply survive.
World
Trump puts on weight, but in ‘very good health:’ doctor
President Donald Trump is technically obese and has put on weight since last year, but his official doctor declared him Thursday to be in “very good health.”
Africa
Prickly pears: ‘humble’ cactus brings hope to Algeria
For generations Algerians like the Gueldasmi family have barely eked out a living growing prickly pear fruits, but thanks to the cactus’s new found virtues their lives are steadily improving.
Society
Man and dog mauled by pitbull on Durban’s Bluff
The pitbull escaped from a yard along Marine Drive in the Bluff and attacked the man and his dog who were on their walk.
Local News
Unplanned power outages in Roodepoort ‘should be fixed by Friday’
As the supply may be restored at any time, customers are urged to treat their electricity supply points as live at all times.
Politics
Focus on SA, not ‘historical distortions’, Kathrada Foundation tells Lekota, Mapaila
The comments by both Lekota and Mapaila are unwarranted and come across as being malicious, said the Foundation’s Neeshan Balton.
Society
PICS: Mass wedding ceremony on Robben Island to mark Valentine’s Day
This year, the Garrison church, where the ceremony is held, hosted the first same sex marriage.
Politics
Ramaphosa hits back at Lekota’s spy claims
The president cautioned Lekota that the stories he was spreading were ‘dangerous’.
State Capture
Jiba ‘extremely displeased’ as Agrizzi ditches Mokgoro inquiry
Agrizzi testified at the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture, and some of his allegations were to be tested at the Mokgoro inquiry.
News Update
Six missing after ship burns in Durban harbour
Durban’s emergency services including Portnet Fire Department, Durban Fire Department and Ambulance Services are on the scene.
News Update
Seven more bodies at Gloria coal mine yet to be retrieved
Rescue workers found the bodies after the rescue operations were put on hold for safety reasons, but while they were still underground.
State Capture
Mokgoro to decide if Agrizzi affidavit will be used in inquiry
Agrizzi was expected to testify before the Mokgoro Inquiry on Friday, but today said he was not in a position to give evidence.
Courts
ConCourt spotlight on Zuma’s infamous late-night Cabinet reshuffle
A ‘dodgy’ intelligence report allegedly sparked the reshuffle in which Zuma demanded that Gordhan cut short his investor roadshow abroad.
General
Durban ‘miracle baby’ unofficially named, doing well
The little girl has been unofficially named Sibanisethu – meaning ‘our light’ – by residents of the neighbourhood where she was found.
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