South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday 3 December 2021

We’ve got all the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa you really need to know on Friday 3 December 2021.

Grim is the right word to use to describe the latest news. In yet another inhumane brutal farm attack in South Africa, farm attackers tried to push a six-year-old boy into the oven in an attempt to force the family to hand over money to them. The farmer watched in fear as farm attackers tried to push his six-year-old son in the oven during a brutal farm attack in Mpumalanga.

In more disturbing news a video of a Pakistani national getting shot in Fordsburg has shocked social media users across Mzansi. The footage was shared by Yusuf Abramjee via Twitter on Thursday afternoon

Meanwhile, a police officer in the Free State shot his girlfriend nine times before shooting himself in the mouth. And near Orania police discovered illegal explosives which have raised questions about what, exactly, the suspect was planning to do with these illegal explosives.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Friday 3 December

Farm attackers try to push a six-year-old child into oven

In yet another inhumane brutal farm attack in South Africa, farm attackers tried to push a six-year-old boy into the oven in an attempt to force the family to hand over money to them.

A family in Mpumalanga was attacked and overpowered by armed men in broad daylight on Saturday.

Niël Bierman (47), his wife, Sonja (43), and their children, Daniel (13), Jacobus (10), and Gideon (6), miraculously escaped unharmed from the attack. The family farm is near Ogies and they also run a guest house for contractors who spend the night in the area. They have been living on the farm for the past 15 years.

Sonja said she was on her way to take Gideon to the doctor at around 09:45 on Saturday when a woman and two men arrived at the house to inquire about accommodation.

“I had one eye on my laptop when I saw the two men leave the house. When I looked up again, a group of seven armed men suddenly stood in front of us. There was almost no time to react, and in the blink of an eye, seven men, armed with a shotgun and five pistols, tied up Niel and kept him in the kitchen,” she said.

Police officer shoots his girlfriend nine times before shooting himself in mouth

A Free State police officer allegedly murdered his girlfriend on Wednesday afternoon, 1 December, before shooting himself in the head. The Independent Police Investigation Directorate (IPID) is investigating the matter, which was reportedly carried out with a service firearm while the suspect was on duty.

IPID National spokesperson Grace Langa said the police officer, who was stationed at the Buffelshoek Police Station in Free State, shot his girlfriend nine times at approximately 16:35 on Wednesday.

WATCH: Pakistani man shot dead in Fordsburg after kidnapping bail

A video of a Pakistani national getting shot in Fordsburg has shocked social media users across Mzansi. The footage was shared by Yusuf Abramjee via Twitter on Thursday afternoon.

The video begins with the man walking across a street corner towards a shop. A man suddenly appears from behind him to shoot the victim at the back of his head.

The Pakistani national immediately fell to his death on the Fordsburg street. The shooter then took a second to seemingly confirm if the shot was successful before turning around to flee the scene.

A voice in the video’s background is heard yelling “he shot him in the head, point-blank,” the voice said.

“He just shot him. He took nothing. He just shot him.

SAPS discover stash of ‘illegal explosives’ near Orania

SAPS have praised officials working in the Hopetown district of the Northern Cape, after they discovered a trove of illicit ammunition and explosives at a plot near Orania. A 48-year-old man was swiftly arrested on Wednesday.

A court appearance beckons for the offender, as law enforcement officials try to uncover why the male suspect had such a large collection of illegal goods. Dozens of rounds of shotgun ammunition, more than 60 blanks, and even a trip flare were amongst the items found at the plot.

The police were tipped off by a concerned member of the public, which led to the operation being carried out yesterday. It didn’t take the search team long to find what they were looking for…

COVID-19: SA records more than 11 000 cases, positivity rate jumps to 22,4%

South Africa recorded more than 11 000 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, 2 December, according to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD). The 51 402 tests conducted over the past 24 hours represent a positivity rate of 22,4 percent up from yesterday’s 16,5 percent. Gauteng continues to drive the wave of new infections.

The 11 535 new COVID-19 cases detected in South Africa on Thursday brings the total number of active cases in the country to 47 328. Unfortunately, 44 more people died of COVID-19-related complications, according to the NICD, bringing the death toll to 89 915.

If this data from Gauteng doesn’t convince you to get a vaccine, nothing will…

What a difference a vaccine makes. Data shared by the Gauteng Government on Thursday paints the clearest picture yet of just how effective the COVID-19 jabs are when it comes to protecting us against severe illness – and it also appears that the shots are able to neutralise the threat of the Omicron variant.

Slides presented to the public on Thursday show how the rise in new infections, caused by the arrival of Omicron, has not translated into a high number of hospitalisations so far – and that’s almost exclusively down to the vaccine.

Comparative data reveals that the increase in cases requiring inpatient treatment over the last two weeks is LOWER than what we’ve seen at the same stage, in the previous three waves of COVID-19.

LATEST NEWS: WEATHER FORECAST, Friday 3 December

Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.

LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES FOR CAPE TOWN, JOHANNESBURG AND DURBAN

Stay one step ahead of the traffic by viewing our live traffic updates here.

HOROSCOPE TODAY

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip, and lucky numbers for Friday 3 December.

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On This Day: What happened on 3 December?

We look back on this day in history and remember the people and events that shaped the world we live in today. Every day is worth remembering.

Here’s a look at what happened on this day, 3 December, throughout history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.

ON THIS DAY: 3 DECEMBER

1689 | The first successful separation of coalescing twins Elisabet and Catherina Meijerin, completed by Swiss surgeon Johannes Fatio in Basel, was also recorded for the first time. 

1900 | The Boer War in South Africa dominated the day’s news and the British had 400 soldiers captured.

1992 | Manchester Bombing. Two IRA’s bombs exploded in Manchester, injuring 65 people.

1828 | Andrew Jackson, The seventh President of the United States was elected on this day.

1964 | Police arrested some 800 students at the University of California at Berkeley, a day after the students stormed the administration building and staged a protest rally.

ON THIS DAY: DEATHS

1999 | American actress, comedian, and singer, Madeline Kahn, 57.

2010 | Baseball player, Ron Santo, 70.

1999 | Finnish 12th General of The Salvation Army, Jarl Wahlström, 81.

2003 | Movie actress, Ellen Drew, 88.

2000 | American composer and producer, Hoyt Curtin, 78.

2002 |American illustrator, Adrienne Adams, 96. 

ON THIS DAY: BIRTHDAYS

1895 | Founder of child psychoanalysis and one of its foremost practitioners, was born in Vienna, Anna Freud. 

1981| Retired Spanish professional footballer who won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 held in South Africa also played as a striker for Japanese club Vissel Kobe, David Villa Sánchez.

1884 |The first President of India, Rajendra Prasad.

1991 | South African football defender, Lebogang Ester Ramalepe.

ALSO READ: What happened on 2 December?

SPORTS

1950 | The Browns defeated the Eagles as the last team in NFL history with no pass attempts.

ENTERTAINMENT

1930 | Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s musical  ‘Evergreen’  premiered for the first time in London on this day.

 AFRICA FACT

Angola has more Portuguese speakers than Portugal whose national language is Portuguese.

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Regional weather forecast (temperature and uvb index) 03 December 2021

Weather forecast data provided by the South African Weather Service. For a detailed forecast of your province, click here.

Severe Weather Alerts

IMPACT-BASED WARNINGS:

1. A yellow level 2 for severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and large amounts of small hail resulting in localised damages and disruptions is expected in places over extreme western parts of the North West Province and extreme north-eastern parts on the Northern Cape.

FIRE DANGER WARNINGS:

1. Nil.

ADVISORIES:

1. Nil.

Temperature and UBV forecast

Gauteng:

Temperature: Partly cloudy and warm with isolated afternoon showers and thundershowers.

The expected UVB Sunburn Index: High.

Mpumalanga:

Temperature: Partly cloudy and warm to hot with isolated showers and thundershowers except in the east where it will be hot.

Limpopo:

Temperature: Very hot in the Lowveld and Western Bushveld, otherwise partly cloudy and warm to hot with isolated showers and thundershowers in the south.

North-West Province:

Temperature: Partly cloudy and warm to hot, with isolated afternoon thundershowers, but scattered in the west.

Free State:

Temperature: Fine at first, otherwise partly cloudy and warm, becoming cloudy in the west, with isolated showers and thundershowers but scattered in the northwest.

Northern Cape:

Temperature: Fine in the south at first, otherwise partly cloudy and warm to hot, becoming cloudy in the late evening, with isolated to scattered afternoon thundershowers

Wind: The wind along the coast will be fresh southerly, becoming strong in the afternoon.

Western Cape:

Temperature: Fine and cool to warm, but hot in places over the West Coast District becoming cloudy to partly cloudy from the north west by the afternoon.

Wind: The wind along the coast will be light to moderate south-easterly along the south coast, otherwise fresh to strong.

The expected UVB Sunburn Index: Extreme.

Eastern Cape:

The Western half – Temperature: Cloudy in places in the morning and evening, otherwise fine and warm, but cool along the coast.

The Western half – Wind: The wind along the coast will be fresh in the east at first, otherwise light to moderate south-westerly, becoming southerly in the afternoon, but light and variable in the evening.

The Eastern half – Temperature: Cloudy in the east in the morning, otherwise fine and warm, but cool in places along the coast and adjacent interior, becoming cloudy in the evening. Isolated thundershowers can be expected in the northern interior overnight.

The Eastern half – Wind: The wind along the coast will be moderate south-westerly, becoming light easterly in the evening.

Kwazulu-Natal:

Temperature: Morning fog over the interior, otherwise cloudy and warm but partly cloudy and hot in the north-west, with isolated showers and thundershowers.

Wind: The wind along the coast will be moderate southerly to south-westerly becoming south-easterly in the afternoon.

The expected UVB Sunburn Index: Moderate.

Stay up to date by viewing our daily Regional weather forecast here.

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Tweets by SAWeatherServic

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Read it now: Your daily Love Horoscope for 3 December 2021

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Your daily Horoscope for 3 December 2021

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WATCH: Pakistani man shot dead in Fordsburg after kidnapping bail

A video of a Pakistani national getting shot in Fordsburg has shocked social media users across Mzansi. The footage was shared by Yusuf Abramjee via Twitter on Thursday afternoon.

PAKISTANI MAN KILLED IN FORDSBURG

The video begins with the man walking across a street corner towards a shop. A man suddenly appears from behind him to shoot the victim at the back of his head.

The Pakistani national immediately fell to his death on the Fordsburg street.

The shooter then took a second to seemingly confirm if the shot was successful before turning around to flee the scene.

A voice in the video’s background is heard yelling “he shot him in the head, point-blank,” the voice said.

“He just shot him. He took nothing. He just shot him.

Watch the video. *Warning: The scene is graphic.

Graphic: Shooting on the right of the footage. Warning https://t.co/vN8hkCX8Mk pic.twitter.com/G5qQD4tAFf

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) December 2, 2021

THE KIDNAPPING LAST MONTH

Thursday’s shooting of the Pakistani national in Fordsburg could be linked to the kidnapping that occurred in the area in October.

The suspects were cruising in a white BMW 3 series sedan in front of a dark Toyota Yaris, before the attackers slowed down to obstruct the Toyota in the middle of the road.

Three men jumped out to point firearms at the Toyota before directing a tall man towards the BMW before the video ended.

The violent drama followed a week after several reports of abduction in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Polokwane.

WATCH the Fordsburg kidnapping video here.

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Day 5 of 27: WIN R300 every single day with our Advent QUIZ!

The 2021 festive season is around the corner! In the spirit of giving, The South African is rewarding our loyal readers by giving you 300 reasons to make you smile this festive season.

We’ve created a special Advent Calendar that will give you a chance to win R300 – every day until 24 December 2021.

Stand another chance to WIN, by entering every day!

To stand a chance of putting more jingle into your pocket and even more cheer into your festive season, simply complete our quick reader survey – created to improve our offering to you – along with a short quiz, to be entered into the lucky draw.

• You may only enter once a day, but may enter on each day for the duration of the competition.


• Please note the answers to your survey will be checked and to qualify, you must get three correct answers in the quiz.


• Winners will be notified within three days of their entry in the competition.

CLICK HERE for more Advent Quizzes

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HARDER lockdown expected SOON? Govt COVID-19 advisor weighs-in

The spike in COVID-19 cases has prompted speculation of tighter lockdown restrictions being implemented any day from now. When President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday, he announced that South Africa would stay under level 1 of the lockdown – but said the situation would be reviewed in a week.

“We will then need to determine whether the existing measures are adequate or whether changes need to be made to the current regulations. We have started the process of amending our health regulations so that we can review the use of the Disaster Management Act to manage our response to the pandemic, with a view to ultimately lifting the National State of Disaster,” Ramaphosa said at the time.

While it’s nowhere near a week, the COVID-19 figures are on the rise – the latest show that over 8 500 new cases were picked up on Wednesday. If history has taught us anything it’s that nothing is set in stone, especially in how government handles the pandemic. This is partly why many have reckoned that Ramaphosa could impose tighter lockdown restrictions on us much sooner than we would expect him to.

Harder lockdown: Here’s what a government advisor says

According to Professor Kholeka Mlisana, the co-chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19, despite the dramatic hike in cases, it is still too early to tell whether enforcing tougher lockdown restrictions would be warranted.

“We continue to see the increase in numbers, especially in Gauteng. What we are seeing is that there is a different spectrum that we are seeing in that the majority of infections is from the younger age groups, which we had not been seeing before,” Mlisana said on eNCA.

She says for now, they don’t have enough data to analyse the severity of the latest COVID-19 infections.

“We are still watching this. We want to have it documented, the number of hospital admissions and which wards are being affected and whilst at the same time, the provinces need to make sure that the resurgence plans that are already in place, they now need to start kicking in so that they can be ready for the increase that we are seeing in admissions”

Professor Kholeka Mlisana, the co-chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19

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Health Department: Get R200 when you get the jab

The Department of Health has increased the Vooma Vaccination voucher on Wednesday to encourage more people to get the jab.

THE AGE GROUP HAS ALSO BEEN DECREASED 

Spokesperson Foster Mohale said the age group has also been decreased, as it was initially only aimed at those 60 years and above.

“Due to the low uptake, we have expanded the scope and now include those 50 years and older, and we increased that value of the voucher. So, from now on, the value of the voucher is at R200,” he said.

PURPOSE IS TO ENSURE THOSE AT HIGHEST RISK ARE VACCINATED 

He said the purpose of Vooma Vouchers is to ensure that as many people aged 50 and older get vaccinated ahead of the 4th wave because they are at the highest risk of getting severely ill or dying from Covid-19.

Mohale said the problem is that the rate of vaccination among older people is now very low. 

Photo: Health Department

“Fewer than 8,000 people 50+ are being vaccinated for the first time every day, which means that there will be close to 4 million 50+ unvaccinated at the end of the year. They are now at high risk with the approaching 4th wave,” he said. 

MAKING IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE TO GET A VACCINE 

“One of the reasons why people do not come forward for vaccination is that they still have to pay to get to the vaccination sites or may have other expenses associated with it, even though the vaccination itself is free. We want to try and make it as easy as possible for people to get vaccinated.

“The value of the Vooma Voucher has also been increased to R200 from Monday, 29 November, given the heightened urgency to ensure that all people aged 50 and older are vaccinated without delay,” Mohale said. 

ALSO READ: NICD: Vaccines likely to still offer protection against B.1.1.529 variant

The voucher can be used within 30 days at any Shoprite, Checkers, or U-save.

VOUCHERS ARE ONLY FOR THOSE GETTING JAB FOR THE FIRST TIME 

However, Mohale explains that the new increased value is only for those who are getting the jab for the first time.

READ MORE: Prizes in new lottery now up for grabs if you take the Covid-19 vaccine

“At this moment, we are encouraging all unvaccinated people; for now it does not apply for those who have received a jab.”

HOW DOES THE VOOMA VOUCHER WORK?

• For the month of November (starting 1 November for 60-year-olds and 18 November for 50-year-olds), every person who is 50 years and older and goes for their very first Covid-19 jab, will automatically receive notification of a R200 voucher as an SMS on the cell number they gave for vaccination. They can redeem it at any Shoprite, Checkers or Usave store. They will be invited to send an SMS to say “Yes” to confirm they would like to receive it. This SMS is free.


• Those people who do not yet have a free Money Market Account with Shoprite will need to register either in-store or by free USSD, WhatsApp or mobile App. This free service will ensure that the voucher can be traced and re-issued if it is lost and if it has not already been redeemed. It also means that people do not have to spend the full voucher all at once.


• The voucher is valid for 30 days after receiving it.


• Vouchers will be issued until the end of December 2021 or until vouchers run out, whichever comes first. So far, we have funding for 260,000 vouchers. Vouchers will only be given to people coming for their first dose (i.e. either J&J vaccine or first dose Pfizer). Vouchers will not be issued for the second Pfizer dose.

.

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Kaizer Chiefs reignite interest in Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder ahead of January transfer window!

Kaizer Chiefs are said to have re-ignited their interest in Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi ahead of the January transfer window.

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS MAKE CONTRACT DECISION ON DANIEL AKPEYI AHEAD OF JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW

The injury prone player has struggled for game time at Sundowns this season, and Chiefs could be set to take advantage of his situation, according to reports. 

Vilakazi has struggled for game time this season

The stiff competition at Sundowns has again, restricted Vilakazi to just five appearances for the Tshwane-based outfit so far this season. That, including the previous seasons where he has suffered a similar fate, could be tempting the former Bafana Bafana international to make a move away from the current DStv Premiership champions, with Chiefs said to be monitoring his situation. 

Sundowns beat Chiefs to his services in 2016

Known to be long-term admirers of Vilakazi, Chiefs missed out on signing the player while he was still at Bidvest Wits. For a long time it seemed as if Vilakazi was destined for a move abroad, before a reported tussle for his services ensued between the Amakhosi and Sundowns. In the end, the Chiefs management were rumoured to have bulked at the huge transfer fee Wits were asking for at the time, which then resulted in Sundowns having a clear path towards his signature.

READ | UNHAPPY MIDFIELDER WANTS OUT OF ORLANDO PIRATES!

Now, according to Soccer-Laduma, Chiefs are considering rectifying the mistakes of the past and securing Vilakazi’s signature this time. 

Amakhosi back in for Vila?

“According to well-placed sources, there is talk within the Amakhosi corridors that the club could make an approach for the player (Vilakazi), as Stuart Baxter continues to rebuild the side.” Wrote the publication.

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS MAKE A DECISION ON HAPPY MASHIANE’S FUTURE AHEAD OF THE JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW

What adds further fuel to the fire of this rumour is the fact that, Vilakazi was a member of the Bafana Bafana squad that reached the quarterfinals of Afcon 2019. That particular squad was coached by Baxter who is the current Chiefs coach. It would then seem as ‘Vila’ is a player who’s qualities, Baxter is fond off and maybe keen to reunite with the player at Naturena. 

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South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Thursday 2 December 2021

Are you keeping up with the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa? We’ve got the news you really need to know on Thursday 2 December 2021.

When Omicron was confirmed by South African scientists last week, the world shut its doors to the country. One country after the other imposed a travel ban from South Africa. 

The World Health Organisation critised these efforts to impose travel bans on southern African nations, stating that they place “a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods.” 

And now it looks like our ‘virus without borders’ was actually circulating the globe long before some countries decided to impose travel bans on South Africa. Omicron has now been detected in at least 27 countries worldwide, and the numbers are steadily growing.

On Wednesday South Africa recorded more than 8500 new COVID-19 cases, according to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD). 

In some better news, the preliminary findings reached on the Omicron variant, so far, given us all some ‘room for optimism’. 

Several leading scientists have already moved to quell fears about the new strain of COVID-19 – and even representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO) are buoyed by these early findings.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Thursday 2 December

COVID-19: SA records more than 8500 cases, positivity rate increases to 16%

South Africa recorded more than 8500 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, 1 December, according to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD). The 51 977 tests conducted over the past 24 hours represent a positivity rate of 16,5 percent up from yesterday’s 10,2 percent. Gauteng remains the most affected province.

The 8561 new COVID-19 cases detected in South Africa on Wednesday brings the total number of active cases in the country to 36 600. Unfortunately, 28 more people died of COVID-19-related complications, according to the NICD, bringing the death toll to 89 871.

Omicron now detected in 27 countries worldwide

When Omicron was declared by South African scientists last week, the world shut its doors to the country. 

The WHO has critised efforts to impose travel bans on southern African nations, stating that they place “a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods.”

It now looks like our ‘virus without borders’ was actually circulating the globe long before some countries decided to impose travel bans on South Africa. The new COVID-19 variant Omicron has now been detected in at least 27 countries worldwide.

The mild variant? WHO official encouraged by new Omicron data…

The preliminary findings reached on the Omicron variant have, so far, given us all some ‘room for optimism’. Several leading scientists have already moved to quell fears about the new strain of COVID-19 – and even representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO) are buoyed by these early findings.

In the cases of Omicron infections studied so far, an overwhelming majority of cases have been ‘mild’. That was the message shared by one WHO official on Wednesday, who also stated that vaccines would neutralise the mutation.

The SA Medical Association, several British scientists, and health officials in Israel have all gone on record to report that mild infections are prevalent in Omicron-positive cases. The first few indicators we have are reassuring, but it’s still too early to tell just how dangerous B.1.1.529 really is.

Ballito Rage 2021 CANCELLED after 36 test positive for Covid-19

The remainder of the Balito Rage 2021 has been CANCELLED.

Ballito Rage organisers have cancelled the remainder of the event after 32 guests and four staff members tested positive for covid-19.

“We take the safety of all our customers, staff and suppliers extremely seriously. It is for this reason that the event organisers have taken the decision to cancel the remainder of Ballito Rage,” organisers said in a statement on Wednesday.

The festival opened on Tuesday with unprecedented Covid-19 protocols in place, including mandatory vaccinations for all staff and guests and pre-arrival Covid-19 tests for all guests.

A testing facility was located near the event site and staff testing began on Monday, and of the first 122 staff tested, zero presented positively.

Watch: SA trucker’s illegal attempt to overtake at 100km/h ends terribly

Oh dear. What could be worse than crashing your lorry after making a fairly ridiculous attempt to overtake one of your fellow truckers? Well, we suppose having the whole incident captured on film and uploaded to the internet is up there.

Footage emerged online earlier today, showing the moment a cocky truck driver chanced his arm against another HGV. The decision to overtake – while going at over 100km/h and crossing over a solid white line – paid no dividends for this impatient road user.

Three angles of the incident tell us everything we need to know about this sorry tale. After clocking a dangerously high speed, the trucker swerves into the opposite lane, gambling his safety in the process. The passenger sitting in the cab remains unimpressed throughout.

Shell Wild Coast BLASTING: Natural Justice, Green Peace head to court

Environmental and human rights organisations supported by environmental law firm, Cullinan & Associates have filed an application for an urgent interim interdict against Shell in the Grahamstown High Court to prevent the fossil fuel firm from conducting seismic testing along South Africa’s ecologically sensitive Wild Coast marine environment.

Shell’s seismic testing was due to start off the Wild Coast on 1 December 2021. However, the matter is currently now before the court.

Cullinan & Associates delivered a certificate of urgency to the Registrar at approximately 12h45 on 29 November 2021 according to the organisation, Natural Justice, which is one the applicants along with Border Deep Sea Angling Association, Kei Mouth Ski Boat Club and Greenpeace Africa.

December petrol hike: A mistake was made with fuel price calculations

On Wednesday, after the December fuel price adjustment had already come into force at retailers across South Africa, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced it had made a mistake with its fuel price calculations.

Minister Gwede Mantashe, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced on Wednesday that instead of the 81c/l increase to petrol, it had erred in incorporating six cents into the price, which is already included in the September fuel price adjustment.

However, the adjustment should have been an increase of 75 cents a litre for all grades of petrol.

“The 6 cents difference is due to the fact that the adjustment of wages for service station workers had already been implemented in September 2021,” the department explained.

“Although it is for the very first time that such an error has occurred in the history of basic fuel price determination in South Africa, the DMRE profusely apologises for the inconvenience caused,” it said in the statement.

ANC cuts ties with convicted rapist mayor, pulls out of Kannaland coalition

The ANC officially pulled out of its coalition agreement with the Independent Civic Organisation (ICOSA) in Kannaland, Western Cape, where the mayor, Jeffrey Donson, is a convicted rapist. Donson was re-elected as mayor of the municipality after a coalition between the two parties secured enough seats to form a government.

Donson was convicted of statutory rape and indecent assault after raping a 15-year-old girl while he was mayor in 2008.

He has been under fire since it was announced that he would return to the mayoral position in Kannaland. The pressure extended to the ANC with NGOs and activists calling on the party to distance itself from the mayor.

Following the outcry, the provincial ANC said it would review the coalition agreement with ICOSA, 10 days ago, as coalition agreements should be based on the party’s principles and strict adherence to the rule of law, according to TimesLive.

LATEST NEWS: WEATHER FORECAST, Thursday 2 December

Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.

LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES FOR CAPE TOWN, JOHANNESBURG AND DURBAN

Stay one step ahead of the traffic by viewing our live traffic updates here.

HOROSCOPE TODAY

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip, and lucky numbers for Thursday 2 December.

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Classic fish and chips – How to make beer-battered hake

What is better than a weekend at home enjoying classic fish and chips with the family? This all-time favourite is as old as the mountains (well, almost!) but never fails to satisfy.

This classic fish and chips recipe includes the method to prepare beer-battered hake, a creamy tartare sauce and lemon aioli. This is a simple feast but absolutely mouth-watering.

If you have always looked for a chef’s secret recipe for classic fish and chips, you are at the right place. This recipe belongs to Executive Chef Nathan Hindmarsh at the Red Carnation Hotel Collection. Try this easy recipe once and you will never want to prepare hake any other way. The accompanying sauces are simply delightful and a taste sensation on the palate.

Next time the family asks for fish and chips, instead of going to your local fish and chips takeaway store, prepare your own restaurant-quality beer-battered hake. If you love this recipe as much as we do, let us know in the comments of this recipe.

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Classic fish and chips recipe

0 from 0 votes

Recipe by Dirnise Britz Course: MainCuisine: GlobalDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Total time

45

minutes

Ingredients

• Beer battered hake


• 
  

  150 g of tempura flour

  
  


• 
  

  1 egg

  
  


• 
  

  1 beer

  
  


• 
  

  10 g salt

  
  


• 
  

  5 g white pepper

  
  


• 
  

  100 g cake flour (or plain flour)

  
  


• 
  

  10 g salt

  
  


• 
  

  400 g of hake, fresh and cleaned

  
  


• Tartare sauce


• 
  

  80 g mayonnaise or home-made aioli

  
  


• 
  

  8 g capers, chopped

  
  


• 
  

  8 g onions, white brunoise

  
  


• 
  

  8 g gherkins, chopped

  
  


• 
  

  parsley

  
  


• Lemon aioli


• 
  

  1 egg yolk

  
  


• 
  

  1 teaspoon dijon mustard

  
  


• 
  

  2 g garlic paste

  
  


• 
  

  200 ml vegetable oil

  
  


• 
  

  1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

  
  


• 
  

  1 teaspoon lime juice

  
  

Method

• Beer battered hake


• Whisk together the flour and seasoning.


• Add the eggs and beer at the same time and whisk until combined into a smooth batter about the thickness of pancake batter. Keep chilled until ready to prepare the fried food.


• Add the hake in the seasoned flour, then in the batter and then deep fry until golden.


• Season and serve.


• Tartare sauce


• Finely chop and mix all ingredients together and fold into the aioli.


• Lemon aioli


• Smash up the garlic with 1 teaspoon of salt in a pestle and mortar (or use the end of a rolling pin in a metal bowl).


• Place the egg yolk and mustard in a bowl and whisk together, then gradually start to add your oil.


• Once you’ve blended in a quarter of the oil, you can start to add the rest in larger amounts.


• When the mixture thickens, add lemon juice.


• To finish, season to taste with salt, pepper and a bit more lemon juice, if needed.


• Serve with homemade chips and mushy peas, perfect for a Friday night dinner.

Notes

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For more recipes that will make your guests feel as if they are in a five-star hotel, have a look at our recipe page. We have so many tasty suggestions.

If you would like to submit a recipe for publication, please complete our recipe form here.

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Read it now: Your daily Love Horoscope for 2 December 2021

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Your daily Horoscope for 2 December 2021

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On This Day: What happened on 2 December?

We look back on this day in history and remember the people and events that shaped the world we live in today. Every day is worth remembering.

Here’s a look at what happened on this day, 2 December, throughout history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.

ON THIS DAY: 2 DECEMBER

1988 | Benazir Bhutto is sworn in as Prime Minister of Pakistan, becoming the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan.

1982 | First artificial heart transplant at the University of Utah Medical Center. Barney Clark became the first person to receive a permanent artificial heart and  lived for 112 days after the transplant.

1804 | Napoleon I is crowned King of France and became one of the most prominent political figures of his time.  His enthronement took place at Notre Dame de Paris, France on this day.

1917 | During World War I, hostilities were sling on the eastern front.

1961| Cuban leader Fidel Castro proclaimed in a nationally broadcast speech that he was a Marxist-Leninist and that he was going to lead Cuba to communism.

DEATHS

1993 |  Colombian drug dealer, Pablo Escobar, 47.

1859 | American activist, John Brown, 59.

1995 | TV actress, Roxie Roker, 66.

ALSO READ: What happened on 1 December?

BIRTHDAYS

1978 | Canadian singer-songwriter and producer, Nelly Furtado.

1983 | American football player, Aaron Rodgers was born on this day.

1963 | Inventor of Email, Shiva Ayyadurai.

2012 | United States youtube star, Maya Maxwell.

ON THIS DAY: SPORTS

2000 | England holds off a determined comeback by South Africa to claim their third Southern hemisphere rugby in the autumn with a 25-17 victory at Twickenham.

2008 | Ballon d’Or: Manchester United Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo wins his first award as the best football player in the world.

ENTERTAINMENT

2000 | The Smashing Pumpkins played their final concert In Chicago.

2014 | The DVD ‘One Direction: Where We Are Live From San Siro Stadium’ was released in the U.S on this day.

AFRICA FACT

The Sahara in northern Africa is the world’s largest hot desert and the climate in this area is very dry.

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Who is Maguette Ndiaye? The referee at the centre of the Bafana Bafana v Ghana storm

Senegal referee Maguette Ndiaye – or Ndiaye Maguette or even N’Diaye Maguette – is without question the most hated man in South African football circles at present.

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS TALISMAN KHAMA BILLIAT SET FOR 100TH AMAKHOSI APPEARANCE

He awarded a dubious penalty to Ghana in their final 2022 Soccer World Cup qualifier against Banana Bafana.

Black Stars veteran Andre Ayew calmly slotted the penalty to give Ghana a 1-0 win over South Africa which was enough to see them top the group and go through along with the other nine group winners to the next phase of qualifying.

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS IN WITH CHANCE TO SIGN TOP FRANCE-BASED MIDFIELDER!

Ultimately, the five countries to represent Africa at next year’s World Cup in Qatar will be determined after the next phase.

Maguette Ndiaye’s (let’s call him that) handling of the qualifier prompted SAFA to file an official complaint with FIFA requesting a replay of the match on the grounds that it was unlawfully manipulated. 

READ | KHAMA BILLIAT SET FOR SENSATIONAL RETURN TO ZEIMBABWE FOLD!

FIFA promised to investigate and report back last week already, but at the time of publishing we’ve heard nothing! That doesn’t sound like good news.

And SAFA are not happy!

But what do we know about Maguette Ndiaye – besides the fact he goes by several names!

Not much to be honest.

READ | KAIZER CHIEFS TO RIVAL MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FOR TOP PSL PRIZE!

Ndiaye was born on 1 September 1986, making him 35-years-old and he is the son of former international referee Pape Moussa Ndiaye.

Outside of refereeing, Maguette Ndiaye is employed as a physical education teacher at Maurice Delafosse Public Secondary School near the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar.

His earnings from his teaching job, based on the industry standard in the West Africa country, are roughly 430 000 XOF (approximately R14 000).

Maguette Ndiaye could face a lengthy ban

Ndiaye has officiated in World Cup qualifiers, the Club World Cup, CAF Super Cup, AFCON finals, Under-20 World Cup, Africa Nations Championship and CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup matches.

In recent weeks reports have surfaced suggesting Ndiaye will not be selected for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and could in fact face a ban from officiating.

IN CLOSING | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS OFFER INJURY UPDATE ON TWO KEY PLAYERS

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Day 4 of 27: Celebrate December, and WIN R300 in our ADVENT Quiz

December is here, and it’s beginning to feel like Christmas. To celebrate the 2021 festive season, The South African is giving you 300 reasons to make this festive season more jolly.

We’ve created a special Advent Calendar that will give you a chance to win R300 – every day until 24 December 2021.

Get all the answers right, and WIN every day!

To stand a chance of putting more jingle into your pocket and even more cheer into your festive season, simply complete our quick reader survey – created to improve our offering to you – along with a short quiz, to be entered into the lucky draw.

• You may only enter once a day, but may enter on each day for the duration of the competition.


• Please note the answers to your survey will be checked and to qualify, you must get three correct answers in the quiz.


• Winners will be notified within three days of their entry in the competition.

CLICK HERE for more Advent Quizzes

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ANC’s Jessie Duarte recovering in hospital, placed on medical leave

The African National Congress (ANC) has wished its deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte a speedy recovery after she was admitted to a hospital on Sunday over “gastrointestinal complications.” She has since been placed on medical leave.

“The DSG was admitted to hospital on Sunday, 28 November 2021 with gastrointestinal complications requiring various investigations, an interventional procedure and other treatment. Further results are awaited. The initial procedure has been successful. As a result, the DSG will be on medical leave for the next few weeks. She will discharge her duties and responsibilities in accordance with advice from her medical team,” says ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe.

PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA VISITS JESSIE DUARTE

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has already paid a visit to Jessie Duarte in hospital on Tuesday, 30 November 2021. According to Mabe, Ramaphosa found Duarte to be in good spirits and conveyed the best wishes of the leadership and membership to her and her family.

She is being treated by an excellent medical team headed by Professor Jose Ramos of the University of the Witwatersrand, Mabe added.

Duarte’s hospitalisation doesn’t necessarily mean Luthuli House (The ANC’s headquarters) will be brought to a standstill. The ANC says some of its NEC members and other officials will continue with work at the Office of the Secretary General.

“The work of the ANC in general, and the Office of the Secretary General in particular, will continue unabated. The DSG will be assisted in the execution of her duties and functions by full-time National Officials and NEC members based at ANC headquarters. The National Officials will make further announcements in this regard in due course.”

ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe

News of Duarte’s hospitalisation comes as the ANC has been hard at work, like most other political parties, following the local government elections. It’s been a busy couple of weeks at Luthuli House as it has been finalising coalition agreements in some of the 66 hung municipalities, while also trying to retain power in others.

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South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Wednesday 1 December 2021

Stay informed with the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa on Wednesday 1 December 2021.

Stats SA released the unemployment rate for the third quarter of 2021 (Q3:2021) on Tuesday. It said there were 660 000 fewer people employed in the third quarter of 2021 and the total number of jobless people in SA is 7.6 million. The unemployment rate increased to 34,9% – the highest it has ever been since quarterly tracking began in 2008. While we expected bad news on this front especially with the effect of the pandemic and lockdowns on the economy, but not to this extent.

While concerns are raised about the shocking unemployment rate, hundreds of teenagers have descended on Umhlanga, Ballito and other coastal towns to attend Matric Rage parties. This comes as the number of new infections rises in the face of the Omicron variant and Rage 2021 plans go ahead although the event was labelled a super spreader event last year. However, Rage organisers have confirmed that only vaccinated partygoers and staff will be allowed to attend the event.

Talk about vaccinations. Do you feel lucky? Everyone living in South African who has taken the Covid-19 vaccination by the end of the year will stand a chance of winning cash prizes of up to R100 000 in a lucky draw totalling R2 million.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Wednesday 1 December

COVID-19: SA adds more than 4000 cases, positivity rate jumps above 10%

South Africa recorded more than 4000 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, 30 November, according to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD). The 42 664 tests conducted over the past 24 hours represent a positivity rate of 10,2 percent.

The 4373 new COVID-19 cases detected in South Africa on Tuesday brings the total number of active cases in the country to 28 651. Unfortunately, 21 more people died of COVID-19-related complications, according to the NICD, bringing the death toll to 89 843.

There were 119 people admitted to hospital for COVID-19 treatment within the latest testing cycle. The 258 private and 407 public hospitals reporting to the NICD now have 2414 patients admitted.

Unemployment reaches record highs – but stats for youths are even more shocking

Statistics South Africa released the unemployment rate for the third quarter of 2021 (Q3:2021) on Tuesday, 30 November. In the second quarter (Q2:2021), the statistician general’s department said unemployment was the highest it’s ever been since quarterly tracking began in 2008 and that trend continued as the rate increased by half a percentage point.

When the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) Q2 results were announced in August, it was reported that South Africa had the highest unemployment rate in the world.

On Tuesday, Stats SA announced that the rate increased by 0.5 percent to 34.9 percent.The unemployment rate according to the expanded definition, which includes discouraged job seekers, increased by 2,2 percent to 46,6 percent in Q3 compared to Q2 in 2021.

Prizes in new lottery now up for grabs if you take the Covid-19 vaccine

Everyone living in South African who has taken the Covid-19 vaccination by the end of the year will stand a chance of winning cash prizes of up to R100 000 in a lucky draw totalling R2million.

The special lottery is managed by the DG Murray Trust, with the endorsement of the National Department of Health.

The DG Murray Trust notes on its website that the purpose of the lucky draw for cash prizes is to encourage people in South Africa aged 12 and older to come forward for the Covid-19 vaccination

Matric RAGE: ‘Super spreader’ warning as teens descend on Ballito

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has issued a strong warning to parents and matriculants not throw wild matric rage parties that could end up being Covid-19 super spreader events.                                              

Zikalala appealed to teenagers and parents not to organise or take part in events and celebrations that might flout the current Covid-19 safety protocols and endanger lives.                                                            

Zikalala’s warning comes as the number of new infections rises in the face of the Omicron variant and Rage 2021 plans go ahead although the event was labelled a super spreader event last year. However, Rage organisers have confirmed that only vaccinated partygoers and staff will be allowed to attend the event. 

Anti-apartheid icon Swaminathan Karuppa Gounden dies

Tributes have poured in for political activist and trade union leader Swaminathan “Swami” Karuppa Gounden, who died on Tuesday morning.

He was 94-years-old. Gounden was born in 1927 in Durban.

Gounden was popularly known as one of the last surviving ANC members who attended the historic signing of the Freedom Charter at the 1955 Congress of the People in Kliptown, Soweto.

He participated as an activist and leader in most of the major historical campaigns in the Struggle against apartheid in South Africa.

Fifteen years in jail for a text? New bill outlaws THESE types of messages!

As of Wednesday 1 December 2021, the Cybercrimes Bill will officially become law in South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined a set of measures that fall under the ‘Malicious Communications’ section, and certain types of messages sent online will now be PROHIBITED…

The maximum penalty for contravening these laws is a 15-year stint in prison. So it’s perhaps for the best that you brush up on the latest changes.

No matter how furious you are with someone, no matter how much you want to smash their stuff… you really shouldn’t put that in a text message. If you are caught encouraging others to partake in violence or property damage against an individual or a group, that will now go down as a criminal offence.

LATEST NEWS: WEATHER FORECAST, WEDNESDAY, 1 DECEMBER

Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.

LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES FOR CAPE TOWN, JOHANNESBURG AND DURBAN

Stay one step ahead of the traffic by viewing our live traffic updates here.

HOROSCOPE TODAY

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip, and lucky numbers for Wednesday 1 December.

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A whopping 600kg of cocaine recovered in Durban harbour

A whopping 600kg of cocaine was recovered in the Durban harbour by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team on Tuesday.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE OPERATION?

According to Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo the team received information about the MSC vessel sailing from South America to South Africa transporting containers with wooden flooring boards that had cocaine concealed within the consignment.

She said the containers were searched upon arrival on 25 November 2021.

ALSO READ: Watch: Man who was kidnapped in broad daylight in Benoni RESCUED

WHAT IS THE STREET VALUE OF THE COCAINE?

“It was discovered that between the boards, there were large black sports bags, each with bricks of cocaine.

“The drugs weighed 600 kilograms with an estimated street value of R240 million,” Mbambo said.

She added that no arrests had been made yet pending the ongoing investigation.

The Hawks’ National Head, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, who is pleased with the seizure, said he appreciated the efforts of the DPCI members disrupting the supply of the drugs.

NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE YET

“With the cargo safely in good hands, we shall now be focussing on the perpetrators.

“I have further appointed a team on the recommendation of the Deputy National Head to cover ground in dealing with the drugs that were stolen in a burglary incident,” Lebeya said.

ALSO READ: Two arrested for possession of four tortoises, 28 rare lizards

WHO ARE THE HAWKS?

Hawks South Africa is a special unit that was established to face the rampant problems of organised crimes and corruption.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation has been established as an independent directorate within the South African Police Service in terms of Section 17C of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 as amended by the South African Police Service Amendment Act, 2008 (Act 57 of 2008).

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation is now responsible for the combating, investigation and prevention of national priority crimes such as serious organized crime, serious commercial crime and serious corruption in terms of Section 17B and 17D of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 as amended.

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