Mthembu’s #vibrators slip-up has SA in stitches
First, President Cyril Ramaphosa accidentally donned his face mask like a Ninja Turtle during a live TV broadcast. Now, minister in the presidency Jackson Mthembu has made a Freudian slip that has social media in stitches. During an interview with Newzroom Afrika on Sunday, the minister mistakenly said “vibrators” instead of “ventilators” while explaining what equipment hospitals will need in preparation for the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Mthembu has since apologised for his on-air gaffe. Despite the two words being similar enough to make such a mistake, many people have found it amusing, which explains why #vibrators has shot onto the Twitter trends list.
‘Missing’ Kim: a new train of thought
A special train believed to belong to Kim Jong-un has been spotted at the east coast resort of Wonsan, fuelling speculation that the North Korean leader may be staying there while being treated for health problems. Satellite images reviewed by 38 North - the Washington-based North Korea monitoring project - seem to show a train similar to Kim's in the so-called leadership station, reserved for the Kim family, on April 21 and 23. It comes amid varying rumours that Kim, said to be 36, recently had cardiovascular surgery and was either recovering or possibly in "grave danger". Worst-case scenarios have been played down by the South Korean government and Donald Trump. – © Telegraph Media Group Limited (2019)
‘Dreadlock man’ bust for impersonating soldier
Five people have been arrested in separate incidents for impersonating a police officer, a soldier and member of the emergency services - complete with flashing lights - Gauteng police said on Monday. Capt Mavela Masondo said a 25-year-old man was arrested in Heidelberg on Sunday after he was walking about, dressed in a full military uniform. Residents had alerted police to the “dreadlock man”, who was also found in possession of suspected stolen property. In Johannesburg, a 40-year-old man was arrested for driving a vehicle fitted with red lights and a siren, and police also found an unlicensed firearm with ammunition as well as SAPS traffic cones. In Tshwane a former reservist and two of her accomplices were arrested for impersonating police officers and common robbery last week.Police recovered a SAPS uniform, a police docket, trays of eggs and chickens.
‘Fascist’ too much even for far-rightists
Germany's far-right AfD party said it had suspended a longtime spokesperson, reportedly after he described himself as a fascist and praised his "Aryan grandfather". Die Zeit newspaper wrote that Christian Lueth was relieved of his duties at the request of senior party figure Alexander Gauland following an internal review. "He has been suspended," a spokesperson for the AfD's parliamentary group confirmed. Lueth had allegedly "repeatedly described himself as a fascist and referred to his grandfather's Aryan lineage", the paper wrote in its online edition, citing party sources. Lueth's grandfather was a submarine commander during World War 2 and received an Iron Cross from Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, the paper said. - AFP
Taxi driver with ‘no passengers’ bust for gun
A taxi driver who told police at a roadblock that fearful passengers had abandoned the vehicle, leaving behind their luggage, was arrested when police found an illegal firearm in one of the bags. Police minister Bheki Cele, accompanied by Gauteng community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko, provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela, Tshwane metro police chief Johanna Nkomo, and other law enforcement agencies carried out several roadblocks on Saturday evening in Gauteng. A total of 97 suspects were arrested for various contraventions of the Covid-19 lockdown regulations. The arrests were for possession of an illegal firearm, exceeding the permitted loading capacity of vehicles, transporting passengers with no valid permits, selling of liquor, failure to confine to place of residence and possession of drugs.
Virus seals fate of ancient custom
With efforts to promote telecommuting lagging despite the coronavirus crisis, Japan is taking another look at an ancient custom that stubbornly remains an analogue anomaly in an otherwise hi-tech nation: the need to stamp documents with seals. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called on citizens to stay at home, aiming for a 70% to 80% reduction in contact , but the goal has proved elusive. In particular, many workers have been forced to commute to their offices because of a reliance on hard-copy paperwork for key contracts and proposals, and the need for much of this to be stamped with a traditional "hanko" or seal. Abe told cabinet ministers to overhaul regulations and identify inconvenient and unnecessary steps in administrative procedure. - Reuters
Tuesday, April 28 2020
SMART NEWS
IN ONE TAKE
Two Freedom days. 1994’s had hope. Does 2020’s?
As I think back on the first election, and see the injustices Covid-19 has exposed, I can’t help worrying
Slashed wages just the start of spiralling misery
Unorthodox financial methods are required to avoid social unrest driven by severe hardship, say experts
Stage 4 will be a gemors that the state will battle to control: experts
Different levels for different provinces and metros are a recipe for confusion that government isn’t up to managing
Older teachers ‘terrified’ of returning to the classroom
Unions and a principals’ group demand to know from the minister how at-risk teachers will be treated
SA group flown home from Miami spend just two days in quarantine
Instead of a virus test they filled out a form, were given a leaflet and then sent on their way
Cash to splash? It’s a buyer’s market in SA’s swishest burbs
The latest instalment of the SA Wealth report unpacks the country’s most exclusive streets and areas
IDEAS
FEEDING YOUR MIND
EDITORIAL | SA’s locked-down youth have become our teachers
Adults should take to heart these ingenious and challenging insights from young South Africans
The state can’t get Covid funds and food to the needy on its own
If it doesn’t partner with the private sector and civil society, the stimulus package will fail miserably
It’s what Cyil does after the virus that will really count
Ramaphosa has been given the perfect opportunity to be strong and decisive in sorting out SA’s future
The fun fusion of tiddly songs and snooty send-ups can be too terrible
A column to satisfy your inner grammar nerd
SNAPSHOT
Image: Esa Alexander
6 things you need to know
Mthembu’s #vibrators slip-up has SA in stitches
‘Missing’ Kim: a new train of thought
‘Dreadlock man’ bust for impersonating soldier
‘Fascist’ too much even for far-rightists
Taxi driver with ‘no passengers’ bust for gun
Virus seals fate of ancient custom
THE VISUAL SIDE
Smuggling between SA and Zimbabwe is rife in Musina, Limpopo. Zimbabweans, facing a dire food security situation, can no longer buy food in the town as the coronavirus pandemic has led to the closure of the border to SA. Despite the erection of a R37m fence, which was completed on April 20, food is still regularly being smuggled into Zimbabwe.
CROSSWORDS
GIVE YOUR BRAIN SOME EXERCISE
Today’s cryptic crossword
It's time to put your brain to work
Today’s quick crossword
How fast can you get it done?
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