‘I’m fine’: deputy minister after positive virus test
Deputy social development minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu has tested positive for Covid-19, her ministry announced on Monday. Bogopane-Zulu, who is in self-isolation, said she was in good spirits. “I feel fine and will continue fulfilling my functions from home over the next 14 days. I have shown no symptoms, so far,” she said. She encouraged South Africans to do all they could to prevent getting infected: “I would like to appeal to South Africans to wear their masks, practice social distancing and wash their hands regularly.”
Cop, soldier, lawyer held for church slaughter
A police officer, a member of the defence force and a lawyer are among 41 people arrested for a fatal hostage drama at the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. Five people were left dead during the hostage and shooting situation at the church in Zuurbekom, west of Johannesburg. According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the group made a brief appearance in the Westonaria magistrate's court on Monday.
Restaurant body seeks legal advice over liquor ban
The Restaurant Association of SA says it is seeking legal advice on what action to take against the government on restrictions of liquor licences and the curfew regulations. “We are seeking council today [Monday] with our attorney and advocates Mooney Ford to see what claim we have against government for damages on non-performance and restrictions of our liquor licences and the regulations regarding the substantiation on the curfew and how we can leverage this angle to put pressure on government,” said the association's Wendy Alberts. This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the ban on the sale of alcohol “with immediate effect”. He also announced the reintroduction of a 9pm-4am curfew.
Cops bag war vet and pet puma …
A former Polish soldier who fled into a forest with his pet puma to avoid handing it over to a zoo, gave himself up to police on Sunday after a three-day manhunt. About 200 officers were deployed to track down the former Afghan war veteran and the big cat. The former soldier "Kamil Stanek voluntarily turned himself over to police in Zawiercie and was later released", the police in the southern Polish city said on Facebook. The puma was transferred to the care of a zoo following the drama. "We're pleased to report that [the puma called] Nubia is surrounded by the professional care of employees at the zoo in Chorzow," they said. Keeping such dangerous animals is banned in Poland, and the man had been ordered by a court to turn the animal over to a zoo. - AFP
… but can’t catch homeless ‘Rambo’
In scenes reminiscent of the film Rambo, police in Germany's Black Forest are hunting for a homeless man wearing combat gear and armed with a bow and arrow, among other weapons. About 100 officers were combing the forest with the help of special forces, helicopters and sniffer dogs as the search entered its second day on Monday. Police in Oppenau, in southwestern Germany, warned locals to stay at home and not pick up any hitchhikers. They released a photo of the 31-year-old, who has a bow and arrow, a knife and at least one gun and is known to the police for previous offences, including illegal possession of firearms. The authorities did not name the suspect, but the Bild tabloid identified him as Yves Rausch, also publishing a photo of him dressed in military fatigues. - AFP
More gin, Ma’am? Palace touts its tipple
Britain's royal family has begun selling dry gin infused with lemon, verbena, hawthorn berries and mulberry leaves collected from Queen Elizabeth II's gardens at Buckingham Palace. The "small batch" gin is on offer for £40 (R844) a bottle from the Royal Collection Shop, but only for delivery in the UK. ”Hand-picked botanicals from Buckingham Palace's exceptional garden have been combined to create this unique and flavoursome gin," the bottle says. It recommends “a measure of the gin in an ice-filled short tumbler before topping up with tonic and garnishing with a slice of lemon”. Elizabeth's favourite tipple is a gin and Dubonnet, although she drinks in moderation. - Reuters
Tuesday, July 14 2020
THE BIG ISSUES
LEADING THE AGENDA
As Zindzi Mandela’s family reels, SA mourns a ‘special soul’
She’ll be remembered as a foot soldier who ‘picked up her mother’s banner and kept her spirit alive’
Black lives matter. Farmers’ lives matter. They don’t exclude each other
If you’re shouting ‘all lives matter’, you misunderstand the issue or don’t believe that lives matter equally
The dressing-room is where we change everything but racism
Yet SA still produces outstanding black athletes despite these unfriendly spaces
Cotton On to the fact that black lives matter
An online social media war featuring mommy bloggers has contributed to a discussion on diversity and racism
SMART NEWS
IN ONE TAKE
‘Give us a break,’ say many as Mkhize tries to explain booze ban
Minister says it’s inexcusable to clog beds with drinkers, but citizens point to apparent double standards
Bittersweet victory for ‘Isis mastermind’ as bombing case is ditched
A two-year probe into Verulam ‘terror attacks’ comes to nought, but state warns that accused mustn’t rest easy
It’s a car crash! Judge slams Road Accident Fund as courts in chaos
Claimants suffer after the RAF canned its lawyers, despite a judge’s order, leading to mayhem at trials
Lockdown has gone to the birds as newbies flock into town
Birding enthusiasts have noticed an increase in special sightings that should not really happen in Joburg
IDEAS
FEEDING YOUR MIND
EDITORIAL | The first step is admitting we have a problem
Say what you like about the booze ban, it is the result of a collective shame we need to acknowledge
Hallelujah! In the ANC church, this is a time of ‘science’ and wonders
Have faith, people, the ANC is in charge, yanking our chains, keeping the talentless in power and hoping for the best
‘But, seriously’... maybe we just don’t deserve nice things
Oom Cyril might be treating us like kids by taking away our toys, but if we behave like brats that’s what we deserve
WORLD
THE NEWS YOU DON'T NORMALLY GET TO HEAR
LIFE
ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT MATTER
Zanele Muholi: a fighting spirit that illuminates the dark
The artist and activist talks about the changing face of activism in the wake of the pandemic
A salacious plunge into artist Lucian Freud’s life of madness
William Feaver’s biography explores the youth of a man who was happy in stately homes and sordid dives
Blast from the past: Two one-two finishes for SA Olympians
Today in SA sports history: July 14
SNAPSHOT
Image: Esa Alexander
6 things you need to know
‘I’m fine’: deputy minister after positive virus test
Cop, soldier, lawyer held for church slaughter
Restaurant body seeks legal advice over liquor ban
Cops bag war vet and pet puma …
… but can’t catch homeless ‘Rambo’
More gin, Ma’am? Palace touts its tipple
THE VISUAL SIDE
A severe storm hit Cape Town overnight on July 12 as areas were battered by gale force winds and heavy rain. A high school in Nomzamo was left partially destroyed and many homeless people were left exposed across the city.
CROSSWORDS
GIVE YOUR BRAIN SOME EXERCISE