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3223596	有图 <p> <p> <p> <p> <p>Climate technologies are innovative solutions that aim to combat climate change by slashing emissions and capturing carbon from the atmosphere. According to experts, this industry could generate €600 billion in annual revenue by 2030.</p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <source srcset="https://www.bbva.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bbva-climatech-sostenibilidad-768x431.jpg"> <source srcset="https://www.bbva.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bbva-climatech-sostenibilidad-1024x575.jpg"> <source srcset="https://www.bbva.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bbva-climatech-sostenibilidad.jpg"> <source srcset="https://www.bbva.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bbva-climatech-sostenibilidad.jpg"> <img src="https://www.bbva.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bbva-climatech-sostenibilidad-150x150.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> Communications </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <i></i> Listen to audio <i></i> Leer en español </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p>Climate technologies are innovative solutions that aim to combat climate change by slashing emissions and capturing carbon from the atmosphere. According to experts, this industry could generate €600 billion in annual revenue by 2030.</p><p>These climate technologies fall within the broader concept of what are known as <i>cleantech</i>, which is short for clean technologies: those that aim to overcome environmental problems in general. Unlike climatech, cleantech is not just used to fight climate change but also to address the biodiversity crisis, waste treatment, and plastic pollution. A prime example of cleantech would be solar panels, which in countries like Argentina—thanks to BBVA’s Volunteering Plan and the Fundación Sumando Energías—are being used to harness solar energy to heat water in the homes of vulnerable families while also reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and combating climate change.</p><p>“Cleantech means innovative, non-polluting technology that helps cushion humanity’s impact on the environment and support both decarbonization and adaptation to climate change. They are applied across a broad spectrum of sectors, such as energy, water, air, industry, agriculture, mobility, and logistics. We can find examples in innovative renewable energies like green hydrogen, recycling and waste management processes, water reuse, and/or the development of bioplastics,” explains Bianca Dragomir, director of the Cleantech for Iberia initiative.</p>So what’s behind <i>climatech</i>?<p>Climatech refers to innovative technologies, products, or solutions that address the challenges of climate change and are capable of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted or present in the atmosphere: “This way, they help us adapt to climate change or eliminate CO₂,” remarks Dragomir. “Examples here include energy storage technologies, CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage), carbon removal and reforestation technologies, or <i>agri-tech</i>,” she explains.</p><p>For the head of Cleantech for Iberia, one of the most interesting and topical current projects in the climatech category is Climeworks. This company uses direct air capture (DAC) technology to reduce the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The ultimate goal is for its industrial plants to capture up to one gigaton (1 billion tons) of CO₂ by mid-century. It is estimated that some 35 billion tons of CO₂ are currently emitted annually worldwide.</p>How is the development of <i>climatech</i> financed?<p>According to Dragomir, the various technologies that make up the climatech and cleantech categories are constantly evolving thanks to research, innovation, and ongoing collaboration between industry players, governments, and the academic community.</p><p>“Broadly speaking, everything begins with a research and development phase, including prototyping and testing. Then comes the startup phase, where the business model is developed and the company obtains initial funding. If successful and provided that a significant market exists, the scale-up phase begins, in which companies prepare for industrial, consumer, or government use,” Dragomir explains.</p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <source srcset="https://www.bbva.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bbva-sostenibilidad-climatech.jpg"> <source srcset="https://www.bbva.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bbva-sostenibilidad-climatech.jpg"> <source srcset="https://www.bbva.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bbva-sostenibilidad-climatech.jpg"> <source srcset="https://www.bbva.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bbva-sostenibilidad-climatech.jpg"> <img src="https://www.bbva.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bbva-sostenibilidad-climatech-150x150.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p>“This requires massive capital investment from both public and private sources, along with support throughout the journey from innovation to impact. This includes grants, capital (including private equity and venture capital), venture debt, infrastructure investors, subsidies, and guarantees. The winning combination of technological innovation and diversified financing ramps up the growth of clean technologies,” concludes Dragomir.</p><p>According to the report <i>ClimateTech is the missing piece in the net zero puzzle</i> prepared by Allianz, the climate technology market could well reach €600 billion in annual revenue by 2030. “I’m optimistic about the power of technology in taking the fight to climate change,” adds Gideon Blaauw, regional leader of CleantechHUB.</p><p>“With relentless innovation in renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and sustainable practices, we are equipping society with the tools needed to make a real difference. The key lies in mass uptake and global collaboration to ensure that these technologies are not only effective, but also accessible to everyone,” he explains.</p> </p> </p> </p> </p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p>Keep reading about</p> Cleantech Energy Sustainability </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> What is climate technology or climatech?	查看 8609	西班牙对外银行	2025-07-30 15:45:15 2025-07-31 12:10:21	word
3223595	无图 <p>The Goldwater Institute filed a friend of the court brief yesterday in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to defend the rights of employers to express their opinions. That right should be protected by the First Amendment, but the court ruled that employers had no “standing” to sue, because the federal government—which issued an administrative “guidance” document blocking them from expressing their views about unionization—hasn’t yet threatened to prosecute them. The problem is, the mere risk of prosecution is enough to scare most businesses into keeping silent, and if people lack standing to challenge prohibitions on free speech until they’re literally threatened with punishment, the government can censor them with impunity.</p> <p>The case is just the latest example of the dangers to freedom represented by the Administrative State—the slew of government bureaucracies that make most of the rules that govern our daily lives. Not only do these agencies write legally binding regulations, despite the fact that they’re not elected, but they also issue a variety of commands that aren’t officially regulations, but which nevertheless carry the threat of punishment. These documents, sometimes called “sub-regulatory” documents or “regulatory dark matter,” consist of “guidances” or memos intended to guide bureaucracies in doing their jobs. That’s a problem, because regulations are at least limited by certain procedural rules that prevent agencies from doing whatever they like—but even a single bureaucrat can issue a guidance memo that has basically the same effect as a formal regulation.</p> <p>Any the chilling effect is the same either way. In this case, an official at the National Labor Relations Board issued a memo threatening to punish employers who want to talk to employees about the costs and benefits of organizing a union. The Board claimed that doing so is an “unfair labor practice” punishable under federal law. But the employers think they have a constitutional right to express their views—so, represented by our friends at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, they sued, only to be told by federal judges that they had no grounds for a lawsuit because they had not yet been actually subjected to prosecution for violating the law regulation memo.</p> <p>In our brief, we argue that this gets the whole theory of “chill” backwards. A person can’t be required to prove that he wants to speak before he can protect his free speech rights, because that would prevent people from speaking, in fear of prosecution—when the whole point of free speech is that the government shouldn’t threaten people that way. Worse, the employers in this case want to speak in order to prevent something. Yet the court’s ruling says they have to wait for that thing to happen before they can prove their constitutional right to speak—whereupon it’ll be too late.</p> <p>You can learn more about our work challenging the Administrative State here.</p> <p>Timothy Sandefur is the Vice President for Legal Affairs at the Goldwater Institute’s Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation.</p> Defending the Free Speech Rights of Employers Against the Administrative State	查看 3108	戈德华特研究所	2025-07-30 00:00:00 2025-07-31 09:37:29	word
3223594	无图 <p>박창달 前 의원을 단장으로 하는 대통령 베트남 특사단은 7.28.(월)-30.(수) 간 베트남을 방문, 또 럼(To Lam) 당서기장을 예방하고 이재명 대통령의 친서를 전달하였으며, 르엉 끄엉(Luong Cuong) 국가주석과 팜 밍 찡(Pham Minh Chinh) 총리도 각각 예방하였다.</p><p>※ 대통령 베트남 특사단은 박창달 前 의원(단장), 윤후덕 의원, 백혜련 의원으로 구성 </p><p>특사단은 베트남 국가지도자들과의 면담을 통해 ‘민주 대한민국’의 복귀를 알리고 우리 신정부의 국정철학 및 대외정책을 설명하였다. 특히, 특사단은 한-베트남 포괄적 전략 동반자 관계를 더욱 발전시켜 나가고자 하는 신정부의 강력한 의지를 전달하였다.</p><p>특사단은 7.29.(화) 오후 또 럼 당서기장 예방시 이재명 대통령의 각별한 안부 인사와 최근(7.19.) 하롱베이에서 발생한 유람선 침몰 사고 희생자에 대한 심심한 위로를 전했다. 또한 특사단은 한국은 베트남과의 관계를 중시하고 있으며 한·베 양국의 국가발전을 위해 계속해서 협력할 것이라고 하고, 특히 원전, 남북 고속철도 등 베트남의 주요 국책 사업 관련 최적의 파트너인 한국측의 참여를 적극 고려해줄 것을 요청하였다.</p><p>또 럼 당서기장은 하롱베이 유람선 침몰 사고에 대한 위로에 사의를 표하고, 특사 단장이 수교한 대통령 친서를 읽어본 후 한-베트남 관계 발전에 대한 이재명 대통령의 강력한 의지를 확인할 수 있었다고 하면서 한국 신정부의 대통령 특사 파견을 높이 평가하였다. 또한 또 럼 당서기장은 베트남의 국가발전을 위한 핵심적인 협력 파트너인 한국과의 협력을 기존의 교역‧투자 등에 더해 과학기술, 문화, 인적 교류 등 제반 분야에서 더욱 적극적으로 발전시켜 나가고, 유엔 및 APEC 등 다자무대에서도 긴밀히 협력해 나가기를 희망하였다. 또한, 가까운 시일 내에 이재명 대통령과 직접 만나 양국 관계 발전 방안에 대한 심도 있는 의견을 교환하기를 기대한다고 하였다. 또 럼 당서기장은 한반도의 평화와 안정에 대한 베트남의 일관된 입장을 강조하고 한반도의 평화를 위해 베트남도 계속해서 적극 노력해 나가겠다고 하였다.</p><p>특사단은 이어서 오후 팜 밍 찡(Pham Minh Chinh) 총리를 예방하고 우리 신정부의 양국 관계 발전 의지, 한반도 정책을 비롯한 대외정책을 설명하였다. 특히 특사단은 베트남에 진출한 1만 여개의 우리 기업들이 양국 경제협력 증진뿐만 아니라 베트남의 경제 발전에 적극 기여하고 있음을 설명하고 앞으로도 우리 기업이 베트남에서 원활히 활동할 수 있도록 필요한 지원을 계속 제공해줄 것을 요청하였다. 이에 대해 팜 밍 찡 총리는 베트남은 한국을 매우 중시하고 있으며 한국 기업의 특별한 기여를 잘 알고 있는바, 한국 기업의 활동과 한국 국민들의 안전한 체류를 위해 계속 관심을 갖고 지원하겠다고 하였다.</p><p>한편, 특사단은 7.30.(수) 오전 르엉 끄엉(Luong Cuong) 국가주석을 예방, 한-베트남 관계를 적극 발전시켜 나가고자 하는 우리 신정부의 의지를 전달하고 금년 10월 APEC 정상회의의 성공적 개최를 위해 르엉 끄엉 국가주석과 다수의 베트남 경제인들이 방한해줄 것을 요청하였다. 이에 대해 르엉 끄엉 국가주석은 앞으로도 한-베트남 관계 발전을 위해 적극 노력하겠다고 화답하면서, 양국이 2025년 경주 APEC 정상회의의 성공과 2027년 베트남 푸꾸옥 APEC 정상회의의 성공을 위해 긴밀히 협력해 나가자고 하였다. </p><p>이외에도 특사단은 우리 동포 및 경제인들과의 간담회를 갖고 베트남 진출 현황 및 애로사항 등에 대해 청취하였으며, 베트남 내 외국투자기업 최초의 독립 R&D센터인 삼성 베트남 R&D센터에 방문하여 기업 활동을 격려하였다.</p><p>붙임 : 계기별 사진. 끝.</p> 대통령 특사단 베트남 방문 결과 상세보기\|보도자료 \| 외교부	查看 1880	外交部	2025-07-30 08:00:00 2025-07-31 09:26:53	word
3223593	无图 <p>박지원 의원을 단장으로 하는 대통령 폴란드 특사단은 7.28.(월)-29.(화) 간 폴란드를 방문해 주요 인사를 면담하였다.</p><p>※ 대통령 폴란드 특사단 : 박지원 의원(단장), 어기구 의원(단원), 진선미 의원(단원)</p><p>특사단은 폴란드 정부 및 의회 주요 인사들과의 면담을 통해 국제사회에 ‘민주 대한민국’이 돌아왔다는 점을 알리는 한편, 새 정부의 국정철학 및 대외정책을 설명하였다. 특히, 금번 대선 결과는 국민주권을 평화적으로 되찾고, 한국 민주주의 역사의 새로운 장을 우리 국민의 힘으로 열었다는 점에서 역사적 의미가 크다는 점을 강조하면서, 새 정부는 국익 중심 실용주의 기조 하에 ‘세계질서 변화에 실용적으로 대처하는 글로벌 책임 강국’을 만든다는 비전을 바탕으로 대외정책을 추진해 나갈 것임을 소개하였다. 아울러, 북한의 핵ㆍ미사일 도발에는 단호히 대응하되, 군사적 긴장완화와 신뢰구축 조치를 통해 남북간 대화와 교류를 재개하고 한반도 평화와 공존의 길을 열어나기 위해 노력할 것이며, 이를 위해 폴란드와 긴밀히 협력해 나가고자 한다는 입장을 전달하였다.</p><p>방문 세부 일정으로, 먼저 특사단은 7.28.(월) 파베우 베이다(Paweł Bejda) 국방차관(장관 대리)을 면담하고, 양국 간 오랜 기간 협의를 거쳐 K2 전차 2차 이행계약이 조만간 체결될 예정임을 기쁘게 생각한다고 하였다. 특사단과 베이다 차관은 K2 전차 2차 이행계약을 통해 폴란드 현지 생산과 기술 이전 등 호혜적인 방산 협력이 더욱 심화될 것이라는 점에 공감하면서, 향후 잔여 계약을 포함한 다양한 무기체계 도입 추진 등 방산 파트너십의 지속을 위해 양국이 계속 소통해나가는 것이 중요하다는 점을 강조하였다.</p><p>이후 특사단은 2023년부터 우리 FA-50 전투기 운용 기지로 활용되고 있는 폴란드 민스크 마조비에츠키 공군 제23 전술비행단 기지를 방문하고, 기지 부대장과 한국항공우주(KAI) 대표 직원의 브리핑을 청취하였다. 이어서 특사단은 폴란드에서 활동 중인 우리 방위산업 기업인들과 대사관에서 도시락 만찬 간담회를 갖고 기업인들이 제기한 폴란드 방산 현장에서의 애로 및 건의사항을 바탕으로 한-폴란드 방산 협력을 지속 강화해 나가기 위한 방안을 함께 모색하였다.</p><p>특사단은 다음날인 7.29.(화) 라도스와프 시코르스키(Radosław Sikorski) 부총리 겸 외교장관과의 면담에서 한-폴란드 관계 강화에 대한 대통령의 메시지를 담은 도날드 투스크 총리 앞 친서를 전달하였다. 특사단과 시코르스키 부총리는 한국과 폴란드가 2013년 이래 10년 이상 발전시켜 온 전략적 동반자 관계를 바탕으로 최근 방산 분야에서 협력을 크게 증진해 왔다고 평가하며, 경제, 에너지, 인프라 등 주요 분야에서도 더욱 많은 성과를 이룰 수 있도록 실질 협력을 앞으로 더욱 강화해 나가기로 하였다. 아울러 특사단은 북핵 문제 해결과 한반도 평화 구축의 실질적 진전을 위한 우리 정부의 노력에 대해 각별한 관심과 지지를 당부하였다. 시코르스키 부총리는 이번 특사단 방문을 환영하며, 양국 관계의 지속적인 강화를 위해 각 급에서 긴밀히 소통해 나가자고 하였다.</p><p>이후 특사단은 보이치에흐 콜라르스키(Wojciech Kolarski) 대통령실 국제정책실장과 면담하고, 나브로츠키 대통령 당선인의 신임 대통령 취임 이후에도 양국 관계에 대한 폴란드 측의 변함없는 지원을 당부하였다. 특히 이번 방문은 처음으로 폴란드에 대한 대통령 특사 파견이 이루어진 결과임을 설명하면서, 이는 이재명 대통령이 한-폴란드 관계에 부여하는 중요성과 그간 양국 관계 발전상을 보여주는 단적인 예라고 언급하였다. 콜라르스키 실장도 한-폴란드 관계 발전에 대한 기대감을 표시하면서, 한국과 폴란드가 모두 신임 대통령 취임을 맞이한 가운데 앞으로 더욱 긴밀한 정상 간 소통을 바탕으로 양국 전략적 동반자 관계를 한 차원 더 도약시켜 나가기를 바란다고 하였다.</p><p>아울러, 특사단은 그제고쉬 스헤티나(Grzegorz Schetyna) 상원 외교위원장도 면담하였다. 특사단은 한국과 폴란드가 의회 차원에서도 지속적인 방문 교류를 실시해 오고 있음을 환영한다고 하였다. 특사단과 스헤티나 위원장은 양국 의회가 한-폴란드 간 다양한 협력 현안의 든든한 버팀목으로 역할할 수 있도록 의회 차원에서도 적극 지원해 나가겠다고 하였다.</p><p>끝으로 특사단은 폴란드에 진출한 우리 기업인들과 오찬 간담회를 갖고 유럽 진출의 거점기지 역할을 하는 폴란드에서 제조업, 배터리, 인프라 등 다양한 분야로 활발히 진출해온 우리 기업의 활동을 평가하였다. 특사단은 변화하는 통상 환경 속에서 우리 기업들의 애로사항 해결을 위해 정부가 계속 지원해 나갈 예정임을 강조하고, 폴란드 인사들에게도 우리 진출 기업에 대한 관심과 지원을 당부하였다고 설명하였다.</p><p>이번 폴란드 특사단 파견은 역대 신정부 출범 이후 폴란드에 대통령 특사를 파견한 최초 사례로서, 폴란드의 주요 인사들을 대상으로 한국 민주주의의 회복력을 강조하고 새 정부의 국정철학 및 대외정책 비전하에 양국 간 실질 협력 강화 방안을 심도 있게 논의함으로써 한-폴란드 전략적 동반자 관계를 더욱 공고히 하는 계기가 된 것으로 평가된다.</p><p>붙임 : 면담 사진. 끝.</p> 대통령 특사단 폴란드 방문 결과 상세보기\|보도자료 \| 외교부	查看 2595	外交部	2025-07-30 08:00:00 2025-07-31 09:26:53	word
3223592	无图 <p>한국과 아세안 간 환경 및 기후변화 대응 협력 강화 방안을 논의하기 위한 「제5차 한-아세안 환경·기후변화 대화」가 7.30.(수) 말레이시아 랑카위에서 개최되었다. 금번 대화는 한민영 외교부 기후환경과학외교국장과 프라섯 시리나파폰(Prasert Sirinapaporn) 한-아세안 대화 관계 조정관(태국 천연자원환경부 차관보)이 공동의장으로 주재하였으며, 아세안 10개 회원국 고위환경관리(ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment, ASOEN)들이 참석하였다. 온·오프라인 하이브리드로 개최된 이번 대화에는 우리 환경부, 해양수산부, 산림청, 한-아세안 금융협력센터, 한국환경연구원, 한국산업기술연구원, 국립환경과학원 등 관계 정부부처 및 기관 담당자들이 참석하였다.</p><p>이번 회의에서 양측은 환경 및 기후변화 대응 정책을 공유하고, 한-아세안 간 추진중인 환경 및 기후변화 분야 협력 사업의 현황과 성과를 점검하며 향후 추진 방안을 논의하였다.</p><p>우리측은 우리나라 국가 온실가스 감축목표(NDC) 이행, 배출권거래제도, 국가 기후위기 적응대책 등을 포함한 우리 정부의 환경·기후변화 대응 정책을 소개하고, 아세안과의 환경·기후변화 분야 협력 등 글로벌 사우스와의 협력을 지속 확대해 나갈 방침임을 설명하였다. 또한, 이를 통해 올해 아세안의 주제인 ‘포용성과 지속가능성’ 달성에도 기여하고자 함을 전달하였다.</p><p>특히 이번 회의에서는 한-아세안 간 추진중인 대기오염 대응 협력, 국외산림탄소축적증진사업(REDD+), 해양폐기물 저감 협력, 고형폐기물 통합관리시스템 구축사업, 녹색 금융 전환을 위한 아세안그린맵 등 주요 협력 사업의 성과를 소개하고, 파리협정 제6.2조 협력을 위한 양자 기후변화 협력 협정 체결, 한-아세안 메탄행동 파트너십(PARMA) 하 추가 협력 사업 발굴 등을 위한 아세안측의 관심과 협조를 당부하였다.</p><p>※ 파리협정 제6.2조 협력 : 국가 간 자발적 협력을 통한 국제감축사업에서 발급된 감축 실적을 국가 온실가스 감축목표(NDC) 달성에 활용</p><p>※ PARMA : 아세안 지역의 메탄 감축을 위해 우리 정부가 주도한 이니셔티브로, 제26차 한-아세안 외교장관회의(23.7.13.) 계기 출범</p><p>아세안측은 한-아세안 환경·기후 분야 협력 사업, 그린 ODA 확대 등을 통해 한국이 아세안 회원국의 환경 보호 및 기후변화 대응 역량 강화에 기여하고 있음을 평가하고, 곧 설립될 예정인 아세안 기후변화센터(ACCC)를 통한 협력 및 한-아세안 메탄 감축 협력 사업 등에 대한 기대를 표명하였다.</p><p>2021년 제1차 대화 이후 올해 5년 차를 맞이한 금번 대화에서, 양측은 한국과 아세안이 공동으로 직면한 환경 문제와 기후 위기를 극복하기 위한 호혜적 협력을 지속 확대해 나가기로 함으로써, 양자 간 포괄적 전략 동반자 관계의 발전에 기여한 것으로 평가된다.</p><p>붙 임 : 행사 사진. 끝.</p> 제5차 한-아세안 환경‧기후변화 대화 개최 상세보기\|보도자료 \| 외교부	查看 1466	外交部	2025-07-30 08:00:00 2025-07-31 09:26:53	word
3223591	无图 <p>김진표 전 국회의장을 단장으로 하는 대통령 호주 특사단은 7.29.(화)-31.(목) 간 호주의 캔버라와 시드니를 방문하여 리차드 말스(Richard Marles) 부총리 겸 국방장관 및 페니 웡(Penny Wong) 외교장관과 면담하고, 양국 간 ‘포괄적 전략 동반자 관계’를 지속 심화 발전시켜 나가는 데 대한 우리 대통령의 확고한 의지를 재확인하였다.</p><p>※ 대통령 호주 특사단 : 김진표 前국회의장(단장), 김영호 국회의원, 박용진 前국회의원</p><p>김진표 단장은 지난 6월 양국 정상 간 통화 및 G7 정상회의 계기 정상회담 등 한국의 신정부 출범 이후 양국 간 교류가 활발하게 이루어지고 있음을 상기하면서 APEC 계기 앤소니 알바니지 호주 총리의 방한을 고대한다고 하였다. 아울러, 김진표 단장은 우리 정부가 북한의 핵ㆍ미사일 도발에는 단호히 대응하되, 군사적 긴장완화와 신뢰구축 조치를 통해 남북 간 대화와 교류를 재개하고 한반도 평화와 공존의 길을 열어나가고자 한다면서, 이를 위해 호주와 긴밀한 협력을 지속해 가고자 한다는 입장을 전달하였다.</p><p>양측은 호주의 한국전쟁 참전 이래 이어져 오고 있는 양국 간 특별한 유대와 신뢰를 바탕으로 불확실성이 점증하는 국제사회에서 제반 도전과제에 대응하기 위한 긴밀한 공조를 지속해 나가기로 하였고, 양국 간 첨단기술, 교역·공급망, 국방·방산 등 제반 분야에서의 실질 협력을 더욱 심화해 가기로 하였다.</p><p>페니 웡 외교장관은 7.29.(화) 면담에서 이번 특사단의 호주 방문을 통해 한국 정부의 한-호주 관계에 부여하는 중요성을 재확인해 준 데 대해 감사를 표하고, 한국이 정치적 위기를 극복하고 민주주의를 회복한 것을 높게 평가하였다. 또한, 웡 장관은 전략적 도전이 심화되고 있는 국제 정세 속에서 한국과 같은 유사 입장국과의 협력이 여느 때보다 중요하다면서, 각 급에서 전략적 파트너로서 허심탄회한 소통을 지속해 나가길 기대한다고 하였다.</p><p>리차드 말스 부총리 겸 국방장관은 7.30.(수) 면담에서 이재명 대통령의 친서를 전달받고, 대통령 특사의 호주 파견을 통해 한국 정부가 호주와의 협력 강화 의지를 재확인해 준 것을 높이 평가하였다. 또한 말스 부총리 겸 국방장관은 최근 다국적 연합훈련 ‘탈리스만 세이버’에 참가한 한국군의 K-9 자주포 실사격 훈련을 자신이 직접 참관한바 매우 인상 깊었다고 언급하면서, 양국 간 국방·방산 분야 협력뿐 아니라 다양한 전략적 분야에 걸친 실질 협력을 강화해 나가기를 희망한다고 하였다.</p><p>한편, 김진표 특사단장은 7.30.(수) 호주 의회의 초청을 받아 특별 게스트 자격으로 호주 의회 본회의장을 방문하였다. 동 계기 호주 의회의 의원 전원이 우리 대통령 특사단을 박수로 환영하는 특별한 예우를 표하였으며, 이는 양국 간 특별한 유대를 상기하는 뜻깊은 시간이었다.</p><p>또한, 김진표 특사단장은 호주 현지 우리 방산기업 관계자와의 면담 및 우리 동포･기업인과의 간담회를 통해 우리 동포 및 기업인들의 애로와 의견을 청취하고, 우리 정부가 호주를 포함하여 해외 우리 기업 활동 지원에 최선을 다할 것임을 설명하였다.</p><p>아울러, 김진표 특사단장은 호주 국립 전쟁기념관을 방문하여 한국전 참전비에 헌화하고, 대한민국의 자유와 민주주의 수호를 위해 한국전쟁에 참전한 17,164명 호주 참전용사들의 헌신에 경의를 표했으며, 이들의 용기와 희생을 기렸다.</p><p>※ 호주군 총 17,164명 참전(육·해·공군), 이 중 전사 340명, 부상 1,216명</p><p>이번 호주 특사단 파견은 호주 정부 주요 인사를 대상으로 우리 민주주의의 회복력을 강조하고, 신정부의 국정철학 및 대외정책 비전 하에 양국 간 협력 강화 방안을 논의함으로써 한-호주 간 포괄적 전략 동반자 관계를 더욱 공고히 하는 계기가 된 것으로 평가된다.</p><p>붙임 : 계기별 사진. 끝.</p> 대통령 특사단 호주 방문 상세보기\|보도자료 \| 외교부	查看 1923	外交部	2025-07-30 08:00:00 2025-07-31 09:26:53	word
3223590	无图 <p>한-바레인 투자보장협정이 7월 31일부터 발효된다. 이는 2024. 12. 26. 바레인 마나마에서 동 협정이 서명된 후, 국회의 비준동의 등 발효를 위한 양국의 국내 절차가 완료된 데 따른 것이다.</p><p> 우리나라는 국회 비준동의(’25.3.13.)를 얻어 ‘25.3.21. 국내절차 완료 통보,</p><p> 바레인측은 ‘25.7.1. 동 협정 발효를 위한 국내절차가 완료되었음을 통보</p><p>투자보장협정이란 투자유치국 내의 외국인 투자를 보호 및 증대하기 위한 목적으로 외국인 투자에 대해 보호 규범을 규정한 조약으로, 우리 정부는 2014년부터 바레인과의 투자보장협정의 제정을 추진해 왔다.</p><p> 지정학적 요충지에 위치해 걸프 지역의 관문으로서의 입지를 가진 바레인은 높은 수준의 개방성과 비즈니스 친화적 환경을 보유하고, 주변 걸프협력회의(GCC) 국가들과의 차별화 전략으로 非에너지 분야 개발에도 집중한 결과 금융, 통신, 제조 산업이 발달하여, 우리 기업의 중동 진출 교두보로 인식되고 있다. 우리 정부는 우리 기업의 바레인 진출이 더욱 확대될 것으로 예상됨에 따라, 투자에 대한 법적 보호를 강화함으로써 우리 기업을 지원하기 위해 투자보장협정을 체결하였다.</p><p>※ 한-바레인 경제관계 현황</p><p> ㅇ 양국간 교역규모 : 5.9억불(‘24, 한국무역협회)</p><p> - 수출 : 2.0억불(자동차, 전력용기기 외)</p><p> - 수입 : 3.9억불(나프타, 알루미늄 외)</p><p> ㅇ 투자 : 한→바레인 : 2.8억불 / 바레인→한 : 1.6억불 (‘24년, 누계 신고기준)</p><p> ㅇ 삼성 ENG 등 우리 기업 8개 업체 진출</p><p>한-바레인 투자보장협정의 주요 내용은 다음과 같다.</p><p>첫째, 체약국은 상대국 투자와 투자자에 대하여 공정․공평한 대우, 내국민대우, 최혜국 대우의 의무가 있다.</p><p>둘째, 체약국이 상대국 투자자의 투자를 직‧간접적으로 수용하는 경우, 신속하고 적절하며 효과적인 보상을 지불할 의무가 있다.</p><p>셋째, 체약국은 초기자본금, 이윤, 청산대금 등 투자와 관련한 모든 대금의 자유로운 국내외 송금을 보장할 의무가 있다.</p><p>넷째, 투자유치국의 협정 위반으로 손해를 입은 투자자는 분쟁을 투자유치국 내 사법절차 또는 국제 중재절차에 회부할 수 있다.</p><p>다섯째, 법인 투자자가 본국 내 실질적인 사업 활동을 하지 않는 페이퍼컴퍼니인 경우, 동 협정상 혜택의 적용이 배제된다.</p><p>이송주 경제협정규범과장은 “우리나라가 바레인에 대해 투자진출국인 점, 바레인을 거점으로 우리 기업들의 중동 시장 확대가 예상되는 점 등을 고려할 때, 금번 협정 발효는 바레인에 진출하는 우리 국민과 기업의 투자를 자의적‧차별적 규제 등 비상업적 위험으로부터 보호할 수 있는 법적 기반을 마련한 점에서 의의가 있다”고 평가했다.</p><p>우리나라는 현재 총 101개국과 투자보장협정을 체결했다(그중 84개 협정이 발효). 우리 정부는 국제투자환경 및 투자규범의 변화를 반영한 투자보장협정의 제․개정을 지속 추진하여 우리나라 국민과 기업의 해외 투자를 보호하는 데 노력해 나갈 예정이다. 끝.</p> 한-바레인 투자보장협정 발효 상세보기\|보도자료 \| 외교부	查看 1576	外交部	2025-07-31 08:00:00 2025-07-31 09:26:53	word
3223589	有图 <p> They were tasked with using the Swift programming language to develop innovative apps which solve real-world problems. </p> <p> <img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Ben-and-Jason.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <p> <p> <p>, 13-year-old St John’s College student, Ben Anderson and third year University of Pretoria student, Jason Mayo. Picture: Supplied. </p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>Two students have put South Africa on the world stage after representing the country as leading app developers at Apple’s Swift Student Challenge.</p><p>In a world echoing with the clicks of keyboards and innovation, 13-year-old St John’s College student, Ben Anderson and third-year University of Pretoria student, Jason Mayo, were recently selected as Swift Student Challenge winners.</p>Competition<p>The duo’s participation, facilitated by iStore Education, was part of a global group of students tasked with using the Swift programming language from Apple to develop innovative applications that solve real-world problems.</p><p>Out of the thousands of students around the world, Ben and Jason were selected in the final group of 350 winners whose apps demonstrated excellence in innovation, creativity, social impact, or inclusivity.</p>Apps<p>Andersson’s app navigates the school day with scheduling periods, textbook management and school day prep.</p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Half a million white South Africans have left the country in 25 years </p> </p> </p><p>ALSO READ: WATCH: Apple brings ChatGPT to iPhone – Everything announced at WWDC</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Mayo’s app, Study Guard (formerly Regret Guard), converts screen time for university students into study time by requiring them to answer AI-generated flashcards based on their study notes before accessing their social media feeds.</p>‘Late nights’<p>Anderson said he spent a lot of time on his app.</p><p>“Many late nights were spent working on my app, and there were moments I wasn’t sure if the app was going to work. When I finally submitted my project, I didn’t expect much.</p><p>“I knew thousands of incredibly talented students from all over the world would be applying, and I saw so many amazing ideas shared online that I felt lucky just to be a part of that community,” Anderson said.</p><p> </p>‘Goals’<p>Mayo said his goal from the beginning was simply to learn, grow, and challenge himself by taking an app idea from start to finish.</p><p>“What makes this achievement even more meaningful is that the app I built addresses a challenge I face personally. In many ways, I created it for myself, which is why it’s so fulfilling to see that it resonates with others, too.</p><p>“This opportunity has been both humbling and inspiring, and I’m so grateful to have been part of something that celebrates and recognises young developers from around the world,” Mayo said.</p><p>ALSO READ: SA and China agree to collaborate on AI and innovation</p><p> </p>‘South Africans’ potential’<p>Michelle Lissoos, iStore Education Director, said the experience that this global competition offers its participants is immense.</p><p>“The preparation and the journey towards submission bring so much to our young developers from a skills and commitment perspective.</p><p>“Recognition from initiatives like this boosts confidence and highlights our potential as South Africans to achieve anything we set our minds to on the global stage,” said Lissoos</p>WWDC<p>Ben also had the unique opportunity of being selected to attend a special event for this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2025) at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California.</p><p> </p><p>They have both received exam codes to gain international certification for Swift, a year’s license to the Swift developer programme, and a pair of AirPods Max.</p><p>ALSO READ: Got R14m to spare? Get this home cinema and forget the sports car</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics apple apps Mobile South Africa tech United States of America (USA/US) </p> Two young app developers put South Africa on global stage	查看 4242	《公民报》	2025-07-30 10:37:49 2025-07-31 06:32:56	word
3223588	有图 <p> A routine drive turns tense when seven unpaid traffic fines resurface, proving adulthood is a constant battle with the past. </p> <p> <img src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=" rel="noopener noreferrer"><noscript><img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/The-day-unpaid-traffic-fines-came-knocking.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></noscript> <p> <p> <p>Photo: iStock</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>It started off like any other normal day. </p><p>I was cruising down a busy road, window down, music up, pretending I had my life together – when, suddenly, I saw them ahead of me: blue lights on both sides of the road. </p><p>Lots of blue lights. It meant only one thing. A roadblock. </p><p>I was surprised when I was pulled over to the side of the road and I rolled down the window with the confidence of someone who once paid a parking ticket on time back in 2016. </p><p>“Good afternoon,” he said. </p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Mystery surrounds death of e-hailing driver </p> </p> </p><p>ALSO READ: Bail for man who clocked 214km/h on N1 in Limpopo</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>“May I see your driving licence, please?” </p><p>He raised an eyebrow while checking the licence disc on my car’s windscreen and walked back to a trailer mumbling that he was going to run my details. </p><p>He returned with a printout that looked like a CV. </p><p>“Did you know you have seven outstanding traffic fines?” he said authoritatively. </p><p> </p><p>Seven? Seven! I felt nauseous. </p><p>ALSO READ: Easter road carnage: Are we focusing on the wrong numbers?</p><p>Apparently, Big Brother doesn’t sleep. Ever. </p><p>And he is real, judging from the list the grim officer held in his hand. </p><p> </p><p>“Is this your correct address?” he asked, tapping the paper while shoving it under my nose. </p><p>I nodded slowly, but before I could say anything about the postal service that has collapsed, or the fact that I am technologically disadvantaged, he sighed. </p><p>“I could impound your car today. Are you aware of that?” I gasped. </p><p>ALSO READ: Are motorists in Ekurhuleni getting a ‘fines holiday’? City clears the air</p><p> </p><p>“But officer, this car is practically held together by hope and cable ties. If you impound it, it might never emotionally recover,” I joked nervously, hoping he had a sense of humour while I tried gathering my composure. </p><p>He laughed. I think. It could’ve been a cough. Regardless, he handed me a sternly highlighted printout and said, “Sort it out. Soon.” I could hear the “or else” in his voice. </p><p>I promised I would, taking the printout with a shaking hand. I even made a calendar reminder while he watched. </p><p>Then I drove off – very slowly – wondering if adulthood is just a long game of unpaid invoices and avoiding eye contact with government agencies. </p><p> </p><p>I know that I have myself to blame for not knowing about these fines but being oblivious to a lot of things is such a wonderful feeling. I need to be more “with it”. </p><p>ALSO READ: Can you be forced to pay traffic fines at roadblocks?</p><p>I need to pay my fines. Because one day, when I least expect it, the past comes knocking … and it’s definitely wearing a badge.</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics Columns driver traffic fines </p> The day unpaid traffic fines came knocking \| The Citizen	查看 3512	《公民报》	2025-07-30 11:00:00 2025-07-31 06:32:56	word
3223587	有图 <p> Iran rejects Israeli claims and denounces the regime’s ongoing assault on Gaza as genocide backed by Western complicity. </p> <p> <img src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=" rel="noopener noreferrer"><noscript><img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/History-will-not-tolerate-Israel-regimes-deception-scaled.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></noscript> <p> <p> <p>Palestinians mourn a relative, killed the night before in an Israeli strike, during their funeral in Gaza City on July 29, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>In response to the remarks made by one of the representatives of the Zionist regime in The Citizen newspaper dated 14 July, 2025, the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Pretoria deems it necessary to share the following points with the vigilant people of South Africa and public opinion. </p><p>First and foremost, this statement is a response to the comments made by a representative of a terrorist and child-killing regime; a regime that, in just the past 20 months, has systematically massacred innocent people, including thousands of Palestinian women and children. </p><p>The ongoing daily genocide in the Gaza Strip committed by this regime is a stain on humanity and a clear sign of state fascism in the modern era. </p><p>The use of starvation as a weapon against the people of Gaza is another inhumane tactic employed by this apartheid entity, clearly in violation of international humanitarian law. </p><p>A regime that itself admits to possessing illegal nuclear arsenals, is not a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and escapes international oversight with the backing of certain Western powers, has not the slightest legitimacy to comment on other countries. </p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> SA pushes for two-state solution in Palestine: ‘Peace must prevail,’ says Lamola [VIDEO] </p> </p> </p><p>ALSO READ: Is GNU to blame for Powell’s resignation as DA’s international relations spokesperson?</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The remarks of this Zionist official are a desperate attempt to divert public attention from the widespread crimes and ongoing genocide against the people of Palestine. This effort is not only baseless but also morally bankrupt and unacceptable. </p><p>In this context, it is worth recalling that the direct aggression by the Zionist terrorist regime against the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran on 13 June, 2025 – carried out with the support and coordination of the US – led to the martyrdom of more than 1 100 Iranian civilians, including women, children, university professors, doctors and members of the media and emergency services. </p><p>Over 6 000 others were injured, many of whom were women and children. </p><p>These illegal strikes also targeted Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, which are fully under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency and have always remained transparent and compliant with international obligations. </p><p> </p><p>Iran has never sought nuclear weapons and continues to cooperate with global mechanisms. </p><p>ALSO READ: Hamas delegation travels to Turkey as Gaza ceasefire talks falter</p><p>What has been done by the Zionist regime and the US against Iran constitutes a blatant act of aggression. </p><p>In accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, Iran exercised its legitimate right to self-defence and responded to the aggression with calculated precision. </p><p> </p><p>Iran’s determined response not only disrupted the Israel’s military calculus but reaffirmed its strategic resilience and commitment to international law. </p><p>The record of the Zionist regime speaks for itself. </p><p>Over the past eight decades, Israel has carried out more than 3 000 terrorist operations inside and outside of the occupied territories. </p><p>ALSO READ: Trump contradicts Netanyahu, Palestinians in Gaza facing ‘real starvation’ [VIDEO]</p><p> </p><p>As a result of its crimes, more than seven million Palestinians have been displaced and made refugees, hundreds of thousands have been killed and over one million Palestinians have been imprisoned. </p><p>In just the past 21 months, nearly 200 000 individuals – mostly women and children – have been killed or wounded in Gaza. </p><p>Moreover, over 40 000 residential areas and infrastructure sites have been destroyed or severely damaged. </p><p>Iran has always defended the rights of all nations to self-determination and has called for a fair and democratic resolution to the Palestinian crisis through a referendum involving all original inhabitants of the land, regardless of religion or ethnicity. </p><p> </p><p>In this regard, Iran is the voice of the oppressed – not seeking imposition, but justice. </p><p>ALSO READ: Food arrives in Gaza after Israel pauses some fighting</p><p>Not seeking domination, but equity. </p><p>The Israel regime attempts to reverse the roles of oppressor and oppressed through false victimhood, but its hideous face is already known to the world and history will not tolerate such deception.</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics Iran Israel Opinion Palestine </p> History will not tolerate Israel regime’s deception \| The Citizen	查看 5373	《公民报》	2025-07-30 11:30:00 2025-07-31 06:32:56	word
3223586	有图 <p> Trump’s aggressive trade tactics threaten South Africa’s economic future, with no room for negotiation before the Friday deal deadline. </p> <p> <img src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=" rel="noopener noreferrer"><noscript><img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/US-tariffs-1200x798-1.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></noscript> <p> <p> <p>Picture: iStock</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>After his erratic behaviour since taking office in January – and his failure to carry out his threats, US President Donald Trump is called “Taco” by some of his detractors… meaning “Trump always chickens out”. </p><p>If only that were applicable to South Africa… which it clearly is not, because the alleged persecution of white people in this country has become a cause célèbre for him and his right-wing supporters. </p><p>Not only that, his bullying this week forced the European Union to agree to an unfavourable trade deal – and if he did that to them, what hope do we have of leniency? </p><p>ALSO READ: Economists question if SA has a plan for US tariffs, Tau says here it is</p><p>US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has also said there will be no extensions, for anyone, of the Friday deadline for new trade deals with the US to be finalised. </p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Will a repo rate cut make things better for SMEs? </p> </p> </p><p>While there is, undoubtedly, an element of enmity also involved in Washington-Pretoria relations, the truth is that Trump’s tariffs are not solely aimed at us, they are part of a broader assault on the existing norms of global trade. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The bottom line – a phrase Trump the deal-maker would love to use – we are going to be hurt by the US tariffs, so we should start finding new markets… and new friends.</p><p>NOW READ: ‘Open our eyes and ears’ – Ramaphosa on how to tackle US tariff hike on SA cars</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics Donald Trump European Union (EU) South African economy tariffs </p> South Africa has to cast its trade net wider \| The Citizen	查看 2218	《公民报》	2025-07-30 12:00:00 2025-07-31 06:32:56	word
3223585	有图 <p> KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi will be the first to be consulted. </p> <p> <img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Mbuyiseli-Madlanga-1.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <p> <p> <p>Deputy Chief Justice and chair of the commission, Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Picture: X/@centralnewsza</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga’s inquiry into KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police chief Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s allegations of criminal infiltration into the South African justice system is expected to cost taxpayers an estimated R147.9 million.</p><p>This was revealed to The Citizen by the department of Justice and Constitutional Development spokesperson Terence Manase on Tuesday.</p><p>“Regarding your specific inquiry, we can confirm that the department of Justice and Constitutional Development is responsible for the procurement process for services for the Commission in consultation with the Commission Chairperson and Secretary,” Manase told The Citizen.</p>Millions<p>Manase said that due to the timeframes, the department has applied for a “deviation from standard procurement processes” with the National Treasury for the Madlanga Commission and “is awaiting feedback.”</p><p>“The estimated budget for the Commission over a six-month period is R147.9 million.”</p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Zuma and MK party case should’ve started in High Court, ConCourt hears [VIDEOS] </p> </p> </p><p>On Monday, Madlanga said his team was treating the bombshell revelations by Mkhwanazi regarding police interference with the urgency they deserve.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>He outlined the process of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system at a media briefing in Sandton, which included scheduling Mkhwanazi as the first to be consulted.</p><p>ALSO READ: ‘Ramaphosa will go down in history as one of the most useless presidents’ – analyst</p>Judicial commission<p>President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his decision to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the serious allegations of political interference in police operations made by Mkhwanazi earlier in July.</p><p>During the briefing, Madlanga also revealed they would meet with Mkhwanazi in the coming days.</p><p> </p><p>“The imminent consultation that I referred to is going to be with Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi. One has no idea what the consultation will lead to.”</p>Allegations<p>Madlanga added that the timeline for the commission of inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system is “quite tight”.</p><p>“Regarding the timeline, we will conduct our work with the timeline in mind. Should the need arise for an extension, that is something we will address at the right time.</p><p>“Just looking at the allegations that were made on the 6th of July, they seem to cover quite a wide spectrum and, in consultations and investigations, are likely to yield a lot more than what was referred to in the allegations 6 July. So the timelines, I must say, do appear to be quite tight,” Madlanga said.</p><p> </p><p>The commission is expected to deliver a preliminary report in three months and a final report within six months of its formation.</p><p>ALSO READ: Has government been blue-ticking State Capture report recommendations? Ramaphosa answers</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics Commission Cyril Ramaphosa Editor’s Choice inquiry KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police South African Police Service (SAPS) </p> Madlanga inquiry: Probe into Mkhwanazi’s allegations to cost R147.9m	查看 3839	《公民报》	2025-07-30 12:27:44 2025-07-31 06:32:56	word
3223584	有图 <p> A whistleblower’s report has led to a formal probe into allegations of corruption and nepotism at Madibeng. </p> <p> <img src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=" rel="noopener noreferrer"><noscript><img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/North-West-signage.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></noscript> <p> <p> <p>Picture: iStock</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>Many years of maladministration, including allegedly unlawful appointments of officials and acts of nepotism at Madibeng local municipality in North West will come under scrutiny during a three-month investigation ordered by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa. </p><p>The Citizen has, over the years, reported on many cases of alleged nepotism and unprocedural appointments of senior officials under mayor Douglas Maimane. </p>Whistleblower raises alarm on irregular appointments<p>The problem was also reported to the public protector several times by a concerned resident. </p><p>North West MEC for cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs Oageng Molapisi is set to undertake the probe after Hlabisa’s instruction. </p><p>The matter was brought to the minister’s attention by a whistleblower who raised alarm about endemic cases of irregular appointments of municipal officials and service providers. </p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Rand Water CEO explains why Gauteng is often without water </p> </p> </p>Spotlight on the appointment of Quiet Kgatla<p>A prominent alleged irregular appointment was that of municipal manager, Quiet Kgatla. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Attempts to have Kgatla’s appointment reversed were frustrated by some councillors, apparently including Maimane, who stayed away from meetings, forcing the council not to quorate. </p><p>A number of council sittings collapsed due to stayaways by some councillors when the matter was on the agenda. </p><p>NOW READ: Court reinstatement of suspended Madibeng manager Quiet Kgatla</p>Internal audit flags unqualified appointees and favouritism<p>A recent internal risk-based audit review that found Kgatla had been irregularly appointed as he did not possess the prescribed qualifications – a bachelor’s degree in public administration or political science, social sciences or law. </p><p> </p><p>However, the official, in addition to his matric certificate, possessed other qualifications – a BCom degree, BCom (honours) and CA (SA). </p><p>The recruitment process was handled by Maimane’s office. The audit expressed concern about possible favouritism or nepotism leading to questions about fairness and an equal opportunity recruitment process. </p><p>The audit found that four other candidates were not shortlisted, although they met all the requirements for the position. </p><p>It suggested that the matter be referred to Maimane to resolve. It was recommended that the Madibeng council reconsider Kgatla’s appointment as it contravened the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act. </p><p> </p><p>The legislation provides for an appointment to be declared null and void if the person does not have prescribed skills, expertise, competencies or qualifications. </p>Bypassing of supply chain processes leads to suspensions<p>The audit also found Kgatla’s appointment was done outside the corporate support services. In another case, three senior officials were suspended pending an investigation of possible misconduct. </p><p>The officials, Ofentse Masilo, chief financial officer, Morufa Moloto and director of human settlements, Walter Phala, allegedly bypassed the supply chain management process and hired service providers irregularly last year. </p><p>ALSO READ: North West’s Madibeng municipality appeals ruling to reinstate ‘suspended’ official</p><p> </p><p>A forensic investigation recommended disciplinary action. </p>Allegations of nepotism linked to mayor’s family<p>It was previously reported by The Citizen that Maimane allegedly hired members of his family to administrative positions in his office, including his daughter while a son was allegedly offered municipal contracts. </p><p>He did not deny that his daughter was an employee in his office, but his son vehemently denied ever receiving any municipal contract. </p><p>Molapisi confirmed that he had invoked Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act to investigate allegations of maladministration and malfeasance in Madibeng. </p><p> </p><p>He appointed a law firm to conduct the probe pertaining to irregular senior appointments and service providers. </p><p>The MEC said the probe would start in three months. </p><p>“The allegations are of a serious nature and we expect councillors and officials of the municipality to cooperate and assist in providing the necessary information that will assist the investigation,” Molapisi said. </p><p>He requested councillors to fully cooperate with the investigation.</p><p>NOW READ: NWU eyes academic hospital as health department plans expansion</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) municipality nepotism North West Province </p> Probe into rot at North West's Madibeng local municipality \| The Citizen	查看 5355	《公民报》	2025-07-30 12:30:00 2025-07-31 06:32:56	word
3223583	有图 <p> StatsSA data shows dramatic improvements in infant and under-five mortality, alongside a steady decline in fertility rates. </p> <p> <img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/iStock-2199409783.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <p> <p> <p>Picture: iStock/Cristian Maciel</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>Those eulogising the “good old days”, when former president Thabo Mbeki was at South Africa’s helm, would do well to have a good look at the latest national life expectancy figures released by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA). </p><p>In 2025, life expectancy of men is 64 years and for women it is 69. In 2002, by comparison, life expectancy was 52 for men and 57 for women. </p><p>Those numbers explain the devastating impact Mbeki’s Aids denialism – coupled with his fight against the use of antiretroviral drugs – had on ordinary people afflicted by the HIV virus. </p><p>People died in their hundreds of thousands. </p><p>Another event which had a hard-hitting impact on South African life expectancy was the Covid pandemic, which saw drops for males of three years (from 62.8 to 59.8) and 3.6 years for females (from 68.8 to 65.2). </p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Ramaphosa cautions against those who may use national dialogue to ‘score political points’ </p> </p> </p><p>StatsSA says that as public health programmes expand and treatment coverage improves, particularly among women of reproductive age, the country’s long-term outlook continues to stabilise. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>ALSO READ: South Africans living longer: Here’s the life expectancy rate in 2025</p><p>The good news is that progress in health care has also resulted in major improvements in child survival. </p><p>The infant mortality rate declined dramatically, from 61.9 deaths per 1 000 live births in 2002 to 23.1 in 2025. </p><p>In the same period, the death rate among children under the age of five went down to 26.1 child deaths per 1 000 live births from 79.9 per 1 000 live births. </p><p> </p><p>And despite what many critics claim is our tendency to have too many children, StatsSA figures show the fertility rate has been declining over the years. </p><p>That is unusual for a developing country and different from the trend in many African countries. </p><p>Coupled with an increasing population of older people, the declining birth rate will mean headaches for social planners – for things like pensions and health care – in the future.</p><p>NOW READ: South Africans are living longer and need to plan for longer retirement – here’s how</p><p> </p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics HIV/AIDS Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) Thabo Mbeki </p> SA’s health recovery underway after deep scars left by Mbeki’s Aids denial \| The Citizen	查看 2877	《公民报》	2025-07-30 13:00:00 2025-07-31 06:32:55	word
3223582	有图 <p> Waves exceeding three metres above the tide level are possible along some coastlines </p> <p> <img src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=" rel="noopener noreferrer"><noscript><img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Tsunami-Pacific.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></noscript> <p> <p> <p>Residents and visitors found themselves backed up in traffic as they try to leave the the Ala Way Harbor, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii on July 29, 2025, after an 8.7 earthquake off of Russia’s far east prompted tsunami alerts. Picture: Eugene Tanner / AFP</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>One of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck Russia’s sparsely populated Far East early Wednesday, causing tsunamis of up to four metres (12 feet) across the Pacific and sparking evacuations from Hawaii to Japan.</p><p>The magnitude 8.8 quake struck at 8:24am (1:24am SA time on Tuesday) off Petropavlovsk on Russia’s remote Kamchatka peninsula and was one of the 10 biggest recorded, according to the USGS.</p><p>Russian authorities said a tsunami hit and flooded the port town of Severo-Kurilsk, while local media said one of between three and four metres high was recorded in the Elizovsky district of Kamchatka.</p>‘The walls were shaking’<p>A video posted on Russian social media appeared to show buildings in the town submerged in seawater. Authorities said the population of around 2 000 people was evacuated.</p><p>Several people were injured in Russia by the quake, state media reported, but none of them seriously.</p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Japan offers cash handouts to all citizens ahead of elections </p> </p> </p><p>“The walls were shaking,” an Elizovsky resident told state media Zvezda.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>“It’s good that we packed a suitcase, there was one with water and clothes near the door. We quickly grabbed it and ran out… It was very scary,” she said.</p><p>Officials from countries with a Pacific coastline in North and South America, including the United States, Mexico and Ecuador, issued warnings to avoid affected beaches.</p><p>In Japan, people evacuated by car or on foot to higher ground, including in Hokkaido, where a first wave measuring 30 centimetres was observed.</p><p>There were no injuries or damage reported in Japan as of midday (5am SA time).</p><p> </p><p>In Hawaii, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said residents and the thousands of visitors should get to safety on the upper floors of buildings or on higher ground.</p><p>“People should not, and I will say it one more time, should not, as we have seen in the past, stay around the shoreline or risk their lives just to see what a tsunami looks like,” Governor Josh Green said.</p><p>“It is not a regular wave. It will actually kill you if you get hit by a tsunami,” Green said.</p>Pacific warnings<p>Wednesday’s quake was the strongest since 1952 in the Kamchatka region, the regional seismic monitoring service said, with warnings of aftershocks of up to 7.5 magnitude.</p><p> </p><p>The epicentre of the earthquake is roughly the same as the massive 9.0 temblor that year, which resulted in a destructive, Pacific-wide tsunami, according to the USGS.</p><p>At least six aftershocks have further rattled the region, including one of 6.9 magnitude and another listed at 6.3.</p><p>The US Tsunami Warning Centres said waves exceeding three metres above the tide level were possible along some coasts of Ecuador, northwestern Hawaiian islands and Russia.</p><p>Between one- and three-metre waves were possible along some coasts of Chile, Costa Rica, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Japan and other islands and island groups in the Pacific, it said.</p><p> </p><p>Waves of up to one metre were possible elsewhere, including Australia, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, Tonga and Taiwan.</p><p>It described the potential conditions as “hazardous.”</p><p>At Inage Beach in Chiba prefecture in Japan, a security perimeter was set up, and a rescue worker told AFP that the seaside area was off limits until further notice.</p><p>“I didn’t expect there to be a tsunami; I actually made a joke about it when we heard (the alert),” Canadian tourist Leana Lussier, 17, told AFP.</p><p> </p><p>“We came here hoping to swim, but once we heard a tsunami warning had been issued, we didn’t go in at all, not even close to the water,” local Tomoyo Fujita, 35, told AFP as she left the area with her young daughter.</p><p>Television footage showed several whales washed up on a beach.</p><p>Workers at the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant in northeast Japan — destroyed by a huge quake and tsunami in 2011 — were evacuated, its operator said.</p>Aftershocks <p>Tsunami alerts were pushed to mobile phones in California, according to local AFP reporters.</p><p>“STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!” US President Donald Trump said on social media.</p><p>Tsunami sirens blared near Hawaii’s popular Waikiki surf beach, where an AFP photographer observed gridlocked traffic as Hawaiians escaped to higher ground.</p><p>The US Tsunami Warning Centres issued a Tsunami Warning, its highest level alert, for the entire US state of Hawaii, with the first waves expected at 7:17 pm local time (7:17am SA time).</p><p>“People are also advised to stay away from the beach and not to go to the coast,” the seismology centre said in a warning.</p><p>Vessels were ordered to head to open water ahead of the expected arrival of waves up to 2 metres, while government employees in Honolulu were sent home early.</p><p>© Agence France-Presse</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics Japan tsunami United States of America (USA/US) </p> Huge quake off Russia sparks tsunami warnings \| The Citizen	查看 5817	《公民报》	2025-07-30 13:00:09 2025-07-31 06:32:55	word
3223581	有图 <p> A third shack fire in July has taken the life of a six-year-old, with officials warning of rising fire risks during winter. </p> <p> <img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Tshwane-fire-toll-at-7-as-shack-fire-kills-child.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <p> <p> <p>Image for illustration. Picture: iStock</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>Another life has been lost in the third shack fire in Tshwane in less than a month. </p><p>City of Tshwane emergency services acting spokesperson Zwelithini Mnguni said a six-year-old child suffered fatal burn injuries in a shack fire over the weekend. </p><p>EMS responded to a shack fire in Mamelodi on Sunday evening, where three shacks had caught alight. </p>Three shacks caught alight<p>“The incident was reported to our emergency communication centre at 21.33pm,” he said. </p><p>“Firefighting resources were immediately dispatched from Mamelodi Fire Station to the scene. </p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Israeli strikes kill children collecting water in Gaza </p> </p> </p><p>“These included a water carrier and a bush pumper. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>ALSO READ: 15 rescued from burning building in Katlehong</p><p>“They immediately began firefighting operations and managed to stop the fire from destroying all three shacks. </p><p>“They protected the main house and one other shack,” he added. </p><p>The firefighters found a child in one of the shacks with fatal burn injuries. </p><p> </p>Shack fire claims child’s life<p>“Six other tenants survived the fire, including a child who had minor burn injuries and was treated on the scene by the Gauteng Emergency Medical Services. </p><p>“The child was then transported by ambulance to Stanza Bopape Clinic for further medical observation,” he added. </p><p>Mnguni said the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. </p><p>ALSO READ: One dead in a shack fire at informal settlement in Ekurhuleni</p><p> </p><p>Tshwane emergency services urged communities to be cautious during winter to prevent incidents of this nature, he said. </p><p>On 11 July, EMS firefighters responded to a shack fire that claimed the lives of five people in Olievenhoutbosch, Centurion. </p><p>On arrival, the firefighters found that the fire had already destroyed a four-roomed shack dwelling. Five family members, including a senior citizen, one adult and three minors, were fatally burned in the devastating blaze. </p>Third fire in July<p>The firefighters extinguished the fire completely as it was still smouldering. </p><p> </p><p>On 1 July, a two-year-old died after a candle apparently set alight a tent the family was sleeping in on a smallholding at Grootvlei Oos in Pretoria. </p><p>AfriForum disaster management specialist Tarien Cooks warned that the dangers of fires are more common in the cold winter months with the use of heaters.</p><p>NOW READ: Man and baby killed in shack fire, in Nigel Ekurhuleni</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics child City of Tshwane(COT) shack fire </p> Tshwane fire toll at 7 as shack fire kills child \| The Citizen	查看 3219	《公民报》	2025-07-30 13:30:00 2025-07-31 06:32:55	word
3223580	有图 <p> The Springbok coach said Australia may face tough Lions opponents, but his players train against fellow World Cup winners. </p> <p> <img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Rassie-Erasmus-Springboks-Australia.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <p> <p> <p>Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has defended his team’s preparation for the Rugby Championship. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has defended the preparedness of his charges ahead of the Rugby Championship despite facing weaker opposition than Australia in the build-up.</p><p>The Springboks play their first two matches of the tournament against the Wallabies, first in Joburg on 16 August and then in Cape Town on 23 August.</p><p>Speaking to the media during their two-week training camp in Johannesburg, Erasmus said the camp had been extended due to concerns among the coaches. They felt players weren’t getting focused training before and during their season openers.</p><p>He said cutting the squad from his initial 55 at the beginning of the season down to 37 will allow the coaches to give players more one-on-one attention.</p>Springboks train against Springboks<p>When asked whether the Springboks’ less-than-perfect performances in some areas—particularly in the first Test against Italy—had influenced the decision to extend the training camp, and whether playing the 10th and 11th-ranked nations offered less preparation than Australia’s build-up against the British & Irish Lions, Erasmus said no to both.</p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Springbok coaches zero in on players after trimming squad for Rugby Champs </p> </p> </p><p>The Bok coach explained that Springbok players training with other Springboks elevates intensity, while Italy and Georgia presented top-range preparation in the physicality of the sport.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>“If Eben Etzebeth trains against RG Snyman, or Lood [de Jager] plays against Ruan [Nortjé] or Siya Kolisi against Marco van Staden… if your training sessions are proper, and you have intent, you probably have eight weeks of good preparation,” Erasmus said.</p><p>“What Australia definitely have is, I wouldn’t say more talented, but more rounded players who are used to playing Super Rugby and British & Irish Lions now.”</p><p>The coach said by the time the Wallabies come to South Africa they will either be feeling sore from a 3–0 defeat at the hands of the Lions, or they will have won the last Test and feeling like the second one slipped their grasp, and so have more to prove against the Springboks.</p>Rassie expects Australia to come out guns blazing<p>“So it all depends on how Joe and his coaching staff and players handle that. We don’t know what players are going to get onto that flight. We just know that we’ve got another three weeks to prepare for them and it will be a team used to playing against New Zealand teams.</p><p> </p><p>“They will either be really battle-ready or they might be flat and punch drunk, and have three injuries in one position, and then they might be in trouble. But that’s being negative. I think they will take a lot of heart out of the previous game. I think they will do really well again this weekend.”</p><p>Erasmus added the Wallabies will have new energy with the arrival of their new coach, Les Kiss, on the horizon. </p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics Rassie Erasmus Springboks (Bokke/Boks) The Rugby Championship </p> Springboks are not less prepared than Australia after Italy, Georgia Tests — Rassie \| The Citizen	查看 3694	《公民报》	2025-07-30 13:52:38 2025-07-31 06:32:55	word
3223579	有图 <p> The presence of politicians near murder suspects and failure to act on Zondo’s report signal deep systemic decay. </p> <p> <img src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=" rel="noopener noreferrer"><noscript><img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/When-politicians-and-criminals-blur-lines.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></noscript> <p> <p> <p>Former chief justice Raymond Zondo’s critiqued President Cyril Ramaphosa’s failure to implement recommendations of the commission of inquiry into state capture. Photo: Gallo Images/Veli Nhlapo</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>Two recent events highlighted a perceived intermingling of South African politicians with the criminal underworld – and the ANC’s utter inability to fix this. </p><p>The first event was Kenny Kunene pitching up at the home of a murder suspect at the centre of a web of alleged politically tainted criminality. </p><p>The second was former chief justice Raymond Zondo’s critique of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s failure to implement recommendations of the commission of inquiry into state capture. </p><p>Kunene’s stated reasons for being at Katiso Molefe’s home were implausible to radio, TV and social media audiences. </p><p>Even his long-time friend and political boss, fellow ex-convict Gayton McKenzie, knew the position was indefensible. </p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> McKenzie wants Liam Jacobs to replace Kunene: Here’s 5 things you need to know about him </p> </p> </p><p>ALSO READ: Why the ANC remains a safe haven for corruption</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Molefe was mentioned in KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s media conference on 6 July, where allegations were made about senior police machinations. </p><p>Molefe should have been off-bounds for any media-savvy politician. Kunene has not only reinforced the common perception that politicians are not to be trusted. </p><p>It goes deeper. In an environment where whistle-blowers are slain with impunity, the link to a murder suspect could give rise to more sinister inferences. </p><p>Impunity is also at the heart of Zondo’s concerns, where he detailed failures of the justice system. </p><p> </p><p>As chief justice, he found it painful to swear-in Cabinet ministers who had serious state capture findings against them. </p><p>ALSO READ: Now we wait for accountability, Mr Mayor</p><p>“It was like the president was saying: ‘I don’t care what you have found about these people. I think they are good enough to be promoted.’” </p><p>Zondo’s words are a vote of no confidence in Ramaphosa by arguably the most respected judge in the country. Zondo lacks faith that crooks will be brought to book under Ramaphosa’s presidency. </p><p> </p><p>Indeed, in South Africa, most culprits get away with murder and much else. Only around 6.8% of murder cases with arrests lead to convictions. In many cases, there are no arrests. </p><p>So, the percentage of murder convictions per total number of murders (with and without arrests) will be lower. This picture contributes to the impunity with which criminals, including politicians, operate. In every sphere, crooks carry on because they know the chances of being convicted are slim. </p><p>Proper implementation of Zondo’s recommendations would have changed this perception. </p><p>ALSO READ: The real national dialogue has begun</p><p> </p><p>On Monday, the Presidency reported “significant progress” in implementing reforms. Ramaphosa claimed 48% completion of actions from Zondo’s recommendations, adding that high-profile cases are scheduled for 2025-26. </p><p>Given the lack of success in cases thus far, it is hardly reassuring to hear that cases are pending. Where are the significant arrests? </p><p>Why did Ramaphosa choose for his Cabinet from people implicated in Zondo’s report? Zondo has every right to feel disappointed. </p><p>After sitting for four years, hearing 300 witnesses, producing 8 655 530 pages of documents and spending R1 billion of taxpayers’ money, implicating more than 1 438 people, his team felt “their efforts were for nothing”. </p><p> </p><p>Many South Africans will agree. Why are so many of the people implicated in the Zondo report now sitting in parliament instead of being in court or in jail? </p><p>ALSO READ: RET faction gains ground as Ramaphosa falters</p><p>And ex-con politicians link themselves to murder suspects. When politicians and criminals are indistinguishable from each other and the underworld are overlords, it’s time to revolt.</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics Columns Kenny Kunene politicians Raymond Zondo </p> When politicians and criminals blur lines \| The Citizen	查看 4838	《公民报》	2025-07-30 14:00:00 2025-07-31 06:32:55	word
3223578	有图 <p> The rapper’s show will debut on Mzansi Wethu this Thursday. </p> <p> <img src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=" rel="noopener noreferrer"><noscript><img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/l-tido-podcast-dstv.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></noscript> <p> <p> <p>L-Tido and Ney The Bae. Picture: Screenshot/YouTube</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>Rapper L-Tido, real name Thato Madonsela, has landed a broadcast deal, with his podcast officially joining the DStv platform.</p><p>The L-Tido Podcast will air every Thursday at 9:30pm on Mzansi Wethu, channel 163 on DStv.</p><p>Launched in 2022, the podcast has featured a range of unfiltered interviews with some of Mzansi’s biggest celebrities, including the late AKA, Boity, Pearl Thusi, Emtee, and, most recently, Anele Zondo.</p><p> <p> <p> </p> <p><svg><g><g><g></g></g></g></svg></p><p> <p>View this post on Instagram</p> <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> <p> </p><p>A post shared by l_tido 🇿🇦 (@l_tido)</p><p>ALSO READ: ‘It’s a kiss; there was no nudity’: L-Tido responds after YouTube restricts episode visibility</p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> PODCAST: 222kW Amarok interesting addition to bakkie game </p> </p> </p>DStv backs podcast shows<p>In March, MultiChoice announced that eight original podcasts would be broadcast across its DStv platforms.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Since the announcement, the broadcaster has cut ties with at least two shows — Lasizwe’s Awkward Dates and MacG’s Podcast and Chill.</p><p>READ MORE: Lasizwe cuts ties with MultiChoice amid podcast payment dispute</p><p>DStv’s digital distribution partner, Leading Edge Growth CEO Lufuno Maliavusa, indicated in May that the first seasons of both shows were coming to an end, paving the way for new content.</p><p>NOW READ: ‘The most profoundly painful thing God has ever done to me’ — Mona Monyane on losing her children, heartbreak and more</p><p> </p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) podcast </p> L-Tido’s podcast secures broadcast deal with DStv	查看 2210	《公民报》	2025-07-30 14:16:45 2025-07-31 06:32:55	word
3223577	有图 <p> Jacob Zuma and the MK party are seeking to invalidate President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to place Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence and appoint Feroz Cachalia. </p> <p> <img src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=" rel="noopener noreferrer"><noscript><img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Ramaphosa-and-Zuma-2.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></noscript> <p> <p> <p>President Cyril Ramaphosa and former president Jacob Zuma. Photos: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen; Gallo Images</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>Another battle is expected to play out in the Constitutional Court as the MK party and its leader, former president Jacob Zuma, challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to place Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on special leave and appoint Wits law professor Feroz Cachalia as acting police minister.</p><p>The apex court has agreed to hear the matter on Wednesday, 30 July.</p>MK party application<p>Jacob Zuma and the MK party are seeking to invalidate Ramaphosa’s decision to place Mchunu on a leave of absence and appoint Wits law professor Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister.</p><p>Zuma said Ramaphosa “openly dodges” the clear distinction between the power to appoint a minister and the different power to appoint an acting minister.</p>Cachalia appointment<p>In the head of arguments filed at the Constitutional Court this week, Ramaphosa defended his decision to place Mchunu on a leave of absence and appoint Cachalia, saying it is to protect the integrity of law enforcement agencies and to safeguard public trust.</p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> WATCH LIVE: MK party takes Ramaphosa to ConCourt over Mchunu, Cachalia and Madlanga Commission </p> </p> </p><p>He justified the additional expenditure in appointing Cachalia as necessary to maintain the legitimacy and integrity of the criminal justice system during the investigation into the serious allegations against Mchunu.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>ALSO READ:Here’s why Zuma’s MK party wants Ramaphosa removed in ‘urgent’ motion of no confidence</p><p>“I acknowledge that the appointment of Professor Cachalia as the acting minister of police, pending the outcome of the investigation by the commission of inquiry, has cost implications.</p><p>“The expenditure of additional resources for the appointment of a person from outside Cabinet could, however, only be avoided by assigning Minister Mchunu’s powers and functions to an existing minister (or to appoint a deputy minister as a minister to enable such assignment),” Ramaphosa said.</p>Cost<p>Ramaphosa added that Cachalia is meant to hold this position for the duration of the commission of inquiry, which is intended to complete its work with the “urgency that it deserves, and in a maximum of six months.”</p><p> </p><p>“It was based on these considerations that, mindful of the expenditure associated with the appointment of Professor Cachalia, I deemed this expenditure justifiable in the circumstances to maintain the legitimacy and integrity of the criminal justice system.”</p>Mchunu<p>In the MK party’s papers, Zuma argued there was no express constitutional power allowing Ramaphosa to impose special leave on Mchunu.</p><p>“There is nothing said in the president’s affidavit which justified placing Minister Mchunu on ‘special leave’ and thereby causing him to retain his ministerial title, salary and other perks or privileges at the expense of the long-suffering taxpayer.”</p>Leave of absence<p>However, Ramaphosa denied in the “strongest terms” that his decision to place Mchunu on special leave rather than dismissing him amounted to special treatment of an ally.</p><p> </p><p>“This allegation is based on pure speculation and conjecture. I deny it in the strongest terms. I have dealt with Minister Mchunu in accordance with my constitutional powers, having exercised my judgment regarding the appropriate course of action to adopt in the particular circumstances of this case.</p><p>“Far from revealing bias on my part, the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the allegations reveals the seriousness with which I take the allegations against Minister Mchunu,” Ramaphosa said.</p>Implications<p>Ramaphosa, in his heads of argument, said the urgent application initiated by Zuma directly to the Constitutional Court without approaching lower courts will have “far-reaching and punishing consequences” for the apex court.</p><p>“Despite this, the Court has been asked by the applicants to convene itself on hyper urgent timelines, and to determine alone, and finally, the meaning of constitutional provisions that will have far-reaching consequences for the exercise of power by the President well into the future.</p><p> </p><p>ALSO READ:Ramaphosa appoints Gwede Mantashe as acting police minister</p><p>“It will also have far-reaching and punishing consequences for this Court because if it concludes that this case engages its exclusive jurisdiction, then all cases involving Cabinet reshuffles and arguments that the President has in some or other way not upheld and defended the Constitution will come to this Court without first going before any other court. The implications for this Court’s overburdened workload and its developing jurisprudence will be profound,” Ramaphosa said in his heads of argument.”</p>Madlanga commission<p>Ramaphosa’s papers also deal with his decision to establish a commission of inquiry.</p><p>While Zuma does not oppose the idea of a commission itself – and agrees it may be necessary – what he challenges is the appointment of a judge (Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga) to chair it, given that the judiciary is among the institutions implicated by Mkhwanazi.</p><p> </p><p>However, Ramaphosa disputes this.</p><p>“First, the applicants allege that the President’s decision is reviewable because it requires Justice Madlanga to ‘potentially investigate himself’. However, there is no evidence whatsoever that Justice Madlanga is implicated in any of the allegations of illegality that fall within the Madlanga Commission’s terms of reference,” Ramaphosa said.</p><p>“The allegations of impropriety do not pertain to justices of the Constitutional Court, and relate to criminal proceedings. No reasonable apprehension of bias can be said to arise at this stage. Even if Justice Madlanga allegedly became conflicted while the Madlanga Commission conducted its investigations, those allegations and any conflict of interest can be dealt with then.</p><p>“The very remote possibility of that conflict arising does not mean the entire Madlanga Commission cannot proceed—certainly not when the Madlanga Commission’s mandate extends beyond allegations of impropriety against judicial officers,” Ramaphosa argued.</p>Relief<p>The MKP wants the court to decide urgently on the matter because Cachalia will assume office on 1 August.</p><p>However, Ramaphosa argued a case has not been made by the MK party.</p><p>“In their heads of argument, the applicants say that they may request interim relief at the hearing of this matter. But the terms of this interim relief do not appear anywhere in the notice of motion, are undefined, and no proper case has been made out for it in the founding papers. No such interim relief should therefore be granted on any basis”.</p><p>Ramaphosa said even if the MK party establish some ground of review, the proper remedy would be “remittal and not substitution”, adding that the apex court cannot act instead of the President in the appointment and removal of ministers.</p><p>ALSO READ:MK party slams Ramaphosa over missed Mandela Day deadline</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics Constitutional Court Cyril Ramaphosa Jacob Zuma Police Senzo Mchunu South African Police Service (SAPS) uMkhonto weSizwe (MK Party/MK ) </p> Ramaphosa vs Zuma: Battle in ConCourt over Mchunu and Cachalia	查看 8005	《公民报》	2025-07-30 14:24:34 2025-07-31 06:32:55	word
3223576	有图 <p> Polokwane municipality has rejected corruption allegations as politically motivated, claiming the tender processes were lawful. </p> <p> <img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Corruption-1200x800-2.webp" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <p> <p> <p>Picture: iStock</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>The non-profit civil rights group, Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), has called on relevant authorities to investigate allegations of more than R50 million worth of corruption involving the Polokwane mayor and municipal manager. </p><p>Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage was reacting to allegations that mayor John Mpe and municipal manager Thuso Nemugumoni awarded a R56.3 million tender to a company linked to a Zimbabwean national believed to be close to them. </p>Whistle-blower report prompts Outa’s call for action<p>The allegation surfaced recently after the matter was reported by local media and shared on social media. </p><p>“These allegations should be investigated, more so if the anonymous whistle-blower provides sufficient evidence/facts about the allegations,” Duvenage said. </p><p>“The extent of corruption and patronage in municipalities is outrageous. All oversight entities and the criminal justice system must act with urgency to assess the facts, suspend the individuals concerned and ensure accountability and if necessary, criminal charges are applied soonest.” </p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Feeding scheme or feeding scam: KZN education department responds to food tender ‘corruption’ </p> </p> </p>Opposition reveals scale of irregular contracts<p>DA councillor Jacques Joubert said the allegations contained in the documents “show that there were irregularities with about 28 foreign-owned companies awarded tenders amounting to more than R740 million. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>“The spreadsheets outline bid numbers and contract values mostly awarded between 2022 and 2023,” said Joubert. </p><p>ALSO READ: DA wants Joburg tenders linked to Kenny Kunene investigated </p><p>“According to the documents, the tenders were given to people with proximity to the high-level officials. Where there is smoke, there is often fire. </p>Mayor urged to support independent investigation<p>“The outcome of the investigations that we want on the matter should be made public to ensure full transparency and accountability. If the mayor and city manager indeed feel they have nothing to hide, they should welcome any independent investigation into the matter. </p><p> </p><p>“I understand the mayor has ambitions to become premier, so he would need to tackle this cloud over his name.” </p>Polokwane municipality dismisses allegations<p>Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala denied the allegations and said it was a smear campaign aimed at discrediting the two officials. </p><p>Selala defended the mayor and municipal manager. “We would like to address the recent defamatory claims circulating on digital platforms. </p><p>It is both necessary and urgent to clarify the facts and expose the political motives behind a series of orchestrated attacks aimed at undermining the integrity of the municipality and its leadership. </p><p> </p>Officials blame political motives and selective outrage<p>“The people of Polokwane deserve the truth, not sensationalised fiction designed to destabilise the municipality that is focused on service delivery, clean governance and inclusive development,” Selala said. </p><p>“We have noted with concern, contempt and disappointment the continued circulation of unfounded, malicious and misleading allegations on anonymous online platforms. </p><p>ALSO READ: Man sentenced for defrauding Amtola Water Board in tender scam</p><p>“These claims attempt to falsely implicate the mayor and manager and we reject these allegations as baseless, defamatory and politically motivated.” </p><p> </p><p>Selala said the matter was an orchestrated smear campaign and politically motivated. </p><p>“These attacks often resurface around politically significant periods and are part of a broader agenda by individuals and factions that have lost democratic influence.” </p><p>He added that the municipality did business with more than 100 companies and service providers across diverse categories of work. It was concerning and suspicious that only a select few were being singled out. </p>‘Why is Polokwane municipality being singled out?’<p>“It is also important to note that many of the companies listed in recent allegations have been awarded contracts through lawful, competitive bidding processes, before the appointments of both the mayor and municipal manager.” </p><p> </p><p>He said that some of the accused companies and others had ongoing relationships with the municipality as far back as 2017, 2018 and 2020 – well before the current leadership team. </p><p>“Why is Polokwane municipality being singled out? The answer lies not in procurement irregularities – of which there are none – but in an intensifying campaign of targeted misinformation.”</p><p>NOW READ: Gauteng health maintains court ‘misinterpreted law in waste tender matter</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics corruption Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) Polokwane tender </p> Outa urges probe into R56 million Polokwane tender scandal \| The Citizen	查看 5427	《公民报》	2025-07-30 14:30:00 2025-07-31 06:32:55	word
3223575	有图 <p> A doctor has elaborated on the possible long and short-term consequence of such early drug use. </p> <p> <img src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=" rel="noopener noreferrer"><noscript><img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Pipe.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"></noscript> <p> <p> <p>Image for illustrative purposes: iStock</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>A community uproar led to an all-night ordeal to save a young child from potential abuse.</p><p>Community activists on Tuesday night went on a crusade to rescue a three-year-old boy who was filmed allegedly inhaling narcotics through a makeshift pipe.</p><p>The activists broadcast much of their mission to find the boy’s family and get assistance from police and medical professionals.</p>Community response<p>Community anti-drug activist Curt van Heerden, founder ofthe Institution of Grace, described how the pipe was lit before the adults encouraged the small boy to inhale.</p><p>“What makes it worse and even more heartbreaking is that they actually coach him how to smoke,” said Van Heerden as he was filmed driving to the residence of those in the video.</p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Mistakes to avoid when applying for a protection order against alleged abusers </p> </p> </p>WATCH: Van Heerden‘s explanation <noscript></noscript><p> </p><p> </p><p>Upon arriving at the block of flats where they believed the implicated adults lived, Van Heerden and his colleagues interrogated residents.</p><p>The boy’s mother was located and taken to Sophiatown police station by Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers.</p>Child received medical attention<p>Police confirmed on Wednesday morning that the mother and two men, all aged between 28 and 36, had been arrested in connection with the incident.</p><p>“[They] will be charged with child abuse under domestic violence. They will appear before the Johannesburg Regional Court on 31 July,” police spokesperson Brenda Muridili said in response to The Citizen‘s enquiry.</p><p> </p>Medical treatment <p>At roughly midnight, Van Heerden was with the father of the child at Sophiatown police station.</p><p>By 1:30am, the child had not received any medical attention, and by 2:15am, Van Heerden was driving the child and his grandmother to a hospital in the Johannesburg CBD.</p><p>Van Heerden relayed that by 3am the boy was receiving treatment and he reported at 4.45am that the “child’s health was intact”, although he was left in the custody of social services.</p><p>“It rips my heart. He didn’t want to let go. He just kept on holding me. It is very hard for a gran to let a child go,” said the child’s grandmother.</p><p> </p><p>Van Heerden was in Newclare throughout Wednesday search for an additional male suspect who is believed to have been present at the time of the incident.</p>Medical doctor issues warning<p>Dr Marlin McKay elaborated on the possible long and short-term consequence of such early drug use.</p><p>McKay said that, depending on the quantity consumed, the child’s mother risked severely damaging the child — or worse.</p><p>“An overdose in such a small body can be fatal due to the immature development of the child’s organs,” McKay told The Citizen.</p><p> </p><p>He noted that the child’s undeveloped brain, heart and liver could potentially fail, as could the lungs.</p><p>Other than the physical dangers, the child was at severe risk of lasting developmental impediments that would result in mood disorders, aggression, ADHD, and many other behavioural disorders.</p><p>Even if the incident was a once-off, McKay said that by exposing the boy to such behaviour created the likelihood that they would be repeated in the future.</p><p>“Yes, there are the stresses of life and times are hard but that really isn’t an excuse. One thing that changes when you become pregnant is the desire to be a proud mom and expose your child to everything that is positive,” he explained, urging parent to be good role models.</p><p> </p><p>McKay warned that expecting mothers who smoked and drank alcohol were equally at risk of hampering their child’s development or exposing them to foetal abnormalities.</p><p>“Our children should be protected at all costs but it really should start at pregnancy,” McKay concluded.</p>‘Visionary leadership’ needed<p>A study by the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) showed that less than 1% of children exposed to drugs were under the age of 10.</p><p>Van Heerden told The Citizen that this specific type of incident was rare but that addiction was a daily occurrence in the communities he serves.</p><p>He has worked to help rehabilitate addicts for 10 years and said he was spurred into action because “it is something close to my heart”.</p><p>Striving to give addicts hope, Van Heerden said building functioning communities required guidance from the ground, up.</p><p>“This is a generation without fathers. There are various causes, mainly tied to poverty, but it is such a multi-layered problem,” he said on Wednesday.</p><p>“It must be dealt with systematically. The problem did not occur over night and it will take visionary leadership to lay a pathway to deeper societal change,” he added.</p><p>NOW READ: ‘Why were alarm bells not sounded sooner?’ – Jayden-Lee Meek’s mother denied bail</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics community drugs Editor’s Choice mother South African Police Service (SAPS) </p> Mother in custody after video of 3-year-old boy allegedly smoking drugs [VIDEO] \| The Citizen	查看 5691	《公民报》	2025-07-30 15:14:52 2025-07-31 06:32:55	word
3223574	有图 <p> Van Rooyen just in, Bezuidenhout just out, of top 70 rankings. </p> <p> <img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Erik-van-Rooyen-3-1.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <p> <p> <p>Erik van Rooyen will be chasing a good finish at this week’s Wyndham Championship. Picture: David Berding/Getty Images</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>This week’s Wyndham Championship is the final event on the PGA of America’s regular tour in 2025 and the last chance for golfers to qualify for the FedEx playoffs – the tour’s grand finale.</p><p>That adds a lot of extra spice and betting interest to the tournament that tees off at Sedgefield Country Club in North Carolina on Thursday.</p><p>Only 70 players qualify for the first FedEx playoff, the St Jude Classic, the following week – the top performers who’ve amassed the most points over the whole season.</p><p>Nicolai Hojgaard is the man currently in 71st position, so he’ll be on the charge at the Wyndham.</p><p>The PGA’s official website ranks the Dane at No 1 in its Power Rankings of this week’s competitors – following a solid showing at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush earlier this month, when he tied for 14th place.</p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Oosthuizen on playing LIV Golf event in SA: ‘It will be an unforgettable experience’ </p> </p> </p><p>Yet Hojgaard is not favourite to win the Wyndham, languishing at 53.00 in the Betway odds. That is a clear value proposition – as is his 3.50 to make the Top 20, 6.55 for the Top 10 and 13.00 for the Top 5.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Topping the boards is England’s Matt Fitzpatrick at 19.60, with emerging talent Ben Griffin next at 23.80, Aaron Rai at 25.10 and Keegan Bradley at 25.40.</p><p>Bradley is the only world top-10 ranker in the 156-strong field as, understandably, most of top players – comfortably FedEx qualified – are taking a tournament break ahead of the playoffs.</p><p>The only South Africans in the FedEx top 70 are Aldrich Potgieter at a safe 42nd and Erik van Rooyen at a febrile 64th. The latter is playing this week and is priced up at 145.00 the Win.</p><p>Christiaan Bezuidenhout, in FedEx position 74, will be among those trying to usurp his countryman’s slot and the bookmakers give him a 55.00 chance of winning in Greensboro.</p><p> </p><p>The PGA’s Power Rankings have Bezuidenhout in 13th place, so a tickle at 3.80 for Top 20 appeals.</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics Golf PGA tour </p> Last chance for golfers to make FedEx playoffs \| The Citizen	查看 2662	《公民报》	2025-07-30 15:16:01 2025-07-31 06:32:55	word
3223573	有图 <p> According to Arryadia, a Riyadh sports newspaper, Felix will earn $10 million a year. </p> <p> <img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Joao-Felix-Ronaldo-scaled.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <p> <p> <p>Joao Felix (right) with Cristiano Ronaldo during the World Cup match between Portugal v Ghana , in Doha, Qatar, in November 2022. Felix has joined Ronaldo at Al Nassr. Photo: Foto Olimpik / NurPhoto via AFP</p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>Portuguese forward Joao Felix has signed a two-year deal with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, where he will join Cristiano Ronaldo, the club announced Tuesday.</p><p>Felix, now 25, made a blockbuster move from Benfica to Atletico Madrid in 2019, but has since seen his fortunes decline.</p><p>“I’m here to spread joy. Let’s win together,” said Felix in a video posted on the Riyadh club’s X account. A separate post said he had signed until 2027.</p><p>Felix remains one of the most expensive transfers in history, following his move to Atletico for 127.7 million euros ($147.3 million) six years ago.</p><p>He has since failed to score more than 10 goals a season, despite stints at Barcelona, AC Milan and Chelsea.</p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Ex-Pirates star compares Nkota to Bale </p> </p> </p><p>According to Arryadia, a Riyadh sports newspaper, Felix will earn $10 million a year.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Saudi Arabia has shaken up football by spending heavily on stars from Europe, starting with Ronaldo’s arrival in 2023, and the conservative desert nation will host the World Cup in 2034.</p><p>Many of the signings have been ageing stars, but Felix bucks the trend along with Mateo Retegui, 26, the Serie A top-scorer who joined Al Qadsiah last week.</p><p>French international Theo Hernandez, 27, left AC Milan for Al Hilal in a reported $29 million deal earlier this month.</p><p>Top coaches have also been lured to Saudi Arabia, including Italy’s Simone Inzaghi who led Al Hilal to an upset win over Manchester City at the Club World Cup.</p><p> </p><p>At Al Nassr, Felix will be working under Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who was sacked by Al Hilal in May following their defeat in the Asian Champions League semi-finals.</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) Saudi Arabia </p> Portugal's Joao Felix joins Ronaldo at Al Nassr in Saudi	查看 2495	《公民报》	2025-07-30 15:24:58 2025-07-31 06:32:55	word
3223572	有图 <p> When the victim became pregnant as a result of rape, her father gave her R1 500 to terminate the pregnancy. </p> <p> <img src="https://media.citizen.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Limpopo-rape-court-bail-1.jpg" rel="noopener noreferrer"> <p> <p> <p>Image: iStock </p> </p> <p> <p> <i></i><p> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> <i> </i> </p> </p> </p> </p><p> </p> <p> <p>A 64-year-old father from Mamelodi has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court for the repeated rape of his daughter for more than ten years. </p><p>On Wednesday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence, which also includes additional protective measures for children in the family.</p><p>The court declared the man unfit to work with children or possess a firearm. His name was ordered to be added to the National Register for Sexual Offenders. </p><p>The court also directed that his two granddaughters be referred to the children’s court for investigation and inquiry.</p>Decade of abuse<p>The systematic abuse began when the victim was just nine years old in 2010 and continued until she reached 19 in 2020. </p><p> <p> <p> <p> Read more </p> Cop and prosecutor get bail in R1.6 million extortion case </p> </p> </p><p>Lumka Mahanjana, NPA Regional Spokesperson for the Gauteng Division in Pretoria, explained that the abuse occurred during specific periods when the child was most vulnerable.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>“The abuse occurred during weekends and school holidays when the victim would visit her father,” Mahanjana added.</p><p>The victim’s parents were not married and only shared custody of the child. </p>Continued manipulation and control<p>Before the abuse started, the father employed psychological manipulation to normalise his criminal behaviour. </p><p>“Before the abuse started, the father told the victim that the abuse was normal in households,” Mahanjana explained. </p><p> </p><p>She said the father warned the victim not to tell her mother because she had a heart condition. </p><p>This manipulation continued throughout the abuse, keeping the child trapped in a cycle of violence and secrecy.</p><p>ALSO READ: Jayden-Lee Meek murder: Mother may be killed in jail, says lawyer as she considers bail appeal</p>Pregnancy and forced termination<p>The abuse escalated in 2018 when the victim was 16 years old. During one of the many sexual abuse incidents, while being assaulted by her father, the condom broke. </p><p> </p><p>“When the father realised that the condom was broken, he told her to track her menstrual cycle and if she misses it, she should inform him,” Mahanjana said.</p><p>According to the NPA, the victim became pregnant as a result of the rape, and her father gave her R1 500 to terminate the pregnancy.</p><p>Despite this traumatic experience, the sexual abuse continued unabated.</p>Truth emerges<p>The decade-long nightmare came to light in 2021 through an unexpected revelation. </p><p> </p><p>The victim had begun dating and confided in her boyfriend about her experiences, still believing her father’s lies that such behaviour was normal.</p><p>She told her boyfriend that her father was the only person she had been intimate with. </p><p>She genuinely believed this was standard household behaviour due to years of manipulation and grooming.</p><p>The boyfriend recognised the gravity of the situation and informed the victim’s mother. </p><p> </p><p>When confronted, the victim finally understood that what had happened to her was criminal abuse.</p><p>“After realising what had been happening was wrong, the victim opened the case at the Mamelodi East police station on 16 January 2021, and the father was arrested on the same day,” Mahanjana stated.</p><p>ALSO READ: Police arrest 183 rape suspects in one week</p>Court proceedings<p>During the trial, the father maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to all charges. </p><p>However, Regional Court Prosecutor Anton Burger presented compelling evidence that established the father’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. </p><p>The prosecutor’s case demonstrated the systematic nature of the abuse and the psychological control exercised over the victim.</p>Sentencing arguments<p>When facing sentencing, the father attempted to secure leniency by highlighting his financial responsibilities. </p><p>“He cited his role as a breadwinner for his wife, three other children, and two granddaughters.”</p><p>Burger opposed any reduction in sentence, presenting several aggravating factors. </p><p>He argued that the father showed no remorse for his crimes and had betrayed his fundamental duty to protect his daughter.</p><p>Burger also emphasised the broader context of gender-based violence in South Africa and the need for deterrent sentences.</p><p>The prosecutor highlighted one of the most disturbing aspects of the case.</p><p>“Furthermore, Burger said the father instructed his own daughter to terminate a pregnancy after realising that he was going to father his daughter’s child,” Mahanjana explained.</p><p>The systematic nature of the abuse was particularly shocking to court officials. </p><p>Mahanjana noted that the court found that the father had deliberately planned and prepared for the sexual abuse before it began.</p><p>ALSO READ: National Assembly agrees to revive motion to investigate statutory rape </p>Rape impact on victim<p>The court heard a Victim Impact Statement facilitated by court preparation officer Kgomotso Lodi. </p><p>The statement revealed the devastating psychological toll of the prolonged abuse.</p><p>The victim told the court that she cannot recall life without rape. </p><p>She described losing her teenage years to the trauma and explained that she now suffers from depression and low self-esteem.</p><p>Acting Regional Court Magistrate Pierre Wessels delivered a strong message when imposing the life sentence. </p><p>He contextualised the case within South Africa’s broader crisis of violence against women and children.</p><p>The magistrate described violence against women and children as a pandemic in the country. He emphasised that courts have a duty to combat such offences through appropriate sentencing.</p><p>The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances that would justify deviating from the mandatory life imprisonment sentence.</p><p>ALSO READ: Police hunt suspect who raped and hammered 60-year-old Free State woman in her home</p>NPA response<p>Mahanjana emphasised the NPA’s commitment to supporting survivors and ensuring accountability.</p><p>“The NPA welcomes this sentence, reaffirms its dedication to eradicating GBV, a pervasive crisis in South Africa, by supporting survivors and ensuring perpetrators face severe consequences,” Mahanjana said.</p><p>She noted that this case exemplifies their resolve to foster safe environments where children’s rights to dignity and safety are upheld.</p><p>The NPA has used this case to issue a broader call for community involvement in combating gender-based violence. </p><p>Mahanjana said the organisation recognises that legal prosecution alone cannot solve the crisis.</p><p>Working together with justice partners, the NPA is calling on communities to stand united against gender-based violence. </p><p>It emphasised and encouraged the reporting of abuse as a way to break the silence and protect future generations.</p><p>READ NEXT: Khayelitsha court hears disturbing details of seven-year-old’s rape and murder</p> </p> <p> Read more on these topics Crime and Courts mamelodi National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Rape </p> Mamelodi father sentenced to life for decade-long rape of daughter	查看 7729	《公民报》	2025-07-30 15:30:12 2025-07-31 06:32:55	word

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