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10 November 2020 - www.tametimes.co.za
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Joe Biden Wins
Second Wave The US Election Warning For South Africans
Democrat Joe Biden has won the White House, said US media on Saturday. This puts Trump in a small group of US presidents who didn’t serve a second term.
President Ramaphosa has expressed his concerns over the possibility of a coronavirus ‘second wave‘, and issued some salient advice to the public. Cyril Ramaphosa has published his weekly letter to the nation, just days before he is set to address South Africans in a televised broadcast. The president has highlighted the possible threat of a coronavirus resurgence, warning that a second wave would ‘choke the green shoots of an economic recovery’. FULL STORY ON PAGE 03
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The Trump presidency had America more divided than ever. Major Networks CNN, NBC and CBS called the race in Biden’s favour just before 11:30am (16:30GMT) as Biden took an insurmountable lead in Pennsylvania. “America, I’m honored that you have chosen me to lead our great country,” Biden said in a statement. “The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a president for all Americans – whether you voted for me or not. I will keep the faith that you have placed in me.” Trump responded to the statement saying that Biden falsely declared himself as the next president. “We all know why Joe Biden is rushing to falsely pose as the winner, and why his media allies are trying so hard to help him: they don’t want the truth to be exposed,” Trump said in a statement. “The simple fact is this election is far from over.” Biden has spent nearly half a century in politics, eight of which was as deputy to the first black US President Barack Obama. Trump made desperate attempts to claim fraud and stop the vote count. Trump, whose marathon press conferences, tweeting and raucous campaign rallies have made him a perpetual, noisy presence at home and abroad over the last four years, had no immediate reaction. But ever since the night after Tuesday’s election, when he prematurely claimed victory, Trump has been inhabiting a world increasingly disconnected from the reality of his approaching downfall. Earlier on Saturday, he left the White House for the first time since Election Day to play golf, tweeting: “I WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT!” This after a press conference on Thursday where he stated that the democrats “are trying to steal the election”.
02
10 November 2020
Is Jessica Weyers Murder Linked To Siam Lee’s Murder?
Lungisa Apologises For Racist Tweets
Durban mother and sex worker Jessica Weyers, whose mutilated body was discovered dumped at a sports ground in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Monday 2 November, was a source for investigators working on the Siam Lee case in 2018, it has been suggested. Similarities between the murders of the two Durban women are unmistakable. Both had been performing sex work prior to their deaths, and both were found with their bodies heavily mutilated. Weyers’ body was found with her throat severely cut and both her hands chopped off. Reports that Emergency rescue service Mobi-Claw911, who were involved in the search for missing Siam Lee, had turned to Weyers to assist them with information about the dark underbelly of Durban’s prostitution rings – and that the pair had known each other – have been disputed by investigators though. Mobi-Claw911 posted on their Facebook account that while they could not provide much detail, they had indeed spoken to Weyers in 2018. At the time of the investigation, they had allocated the alias “jane” to weyers. “We met jessica through our investigation in the siam lee murder case. We delved into the very dark side of durban involving prostitution and drugs,” they said. “Jane was a working girl who became a very reliable source of information that lead us into this dark underworld.” IOL claimed that a friend of Lee’s had met Weyers at Lees funeral, allegedly telling them that she recognised the 23-year-
Andile Lungisa, the convicted criminal and former Nelson Mandela Bay councillor, has apologised to the South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago for several offensive tweets. Lungisa reportedly apologised after criticising the governor and even calling him the K-word.
old’s face. “She worked in town. I met her at Siam’s funeral. This is all very sad. They were friends,” the woman is reported to have said. But investigators looking into the weyers case say that the link is merely an attempt at sensationalism. “It’s utter rubbish,” a source told the south african. “Reports that weyers and siam lee were friends or worked together are pure sensationalism. I was at the [lee] funeral and weyers was not there.” He said that while it is quite possible that mobi-claw911 had spoken to weyers while they combed the durban beachfront for clues, they would have been well off-track in terms of finding those responsible for
the killing, and that weyers and lee were involved in very different spheres of durban’s sex work industry. He said that the suggestion that the deaths are in any way linked merely gives Lee’s deceased murderer, Philani Ntuli, “another platform”, and “once again makes the monster real and frightening”. Police have yet to provide an update into the Weyers case, but said last week that no suspects have been arrested and that the investigation is ongoing. Weyers was last seen leaving an apartment on Pickering Street, near South Beach, at 5.30pm on Sunday 1 November, and her mother was forced to identify her daughter after she had been found at the sports field.
The Eastern Cape High Court has also confirmed that a settlement was reached between Andile Lungisa and Lesetja Kganyago after Lungisa’s racist rant. The Reserve Bank governor agreed to drop his defamation case against Lungisa in which he was seeking R500,000 but only if Lungisa apologised publicly and retracted his verbal attack. The Reserve Bank’s Thoraya Pandy said that Kganyago had accepted the apology. “There will be no payment but the apology is unequivocal, that Mr Lungisa must demonstrate that his apology is sincere by making sure that he also tweets about it on the platforms that he had first made those statements as well as to all media outlets in South Africa.” Lungisa is serving a twoyear sentence in Port Elizabeth for attacking a councillor with a glass during a council sitting in 2016.
10 November 2020
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2 Arrested For Staging Gauteng Cash-In-Transit Heists Hawks spokesperson, Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu, said the ‘robberies’ took place on Monday and Thursday. Mulami said Aaron Kgotso Matsotso (44) also known as “Terence” allegedly drove off after his crew went into a food outlet at Bellairs shopping centre to collect money. “Later the Hawks members proceeded to a crime scene where the same cash van was found, set alight, in Douglasdale. An undisclosed amount of money was found at the back of the cash van after it was extinguished. Matsotso was taken in for questioning and he was subsequently charged for cash in-transit robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, perjury, malicious damage to property, possession of explosives, and defeating the ends of justice,” Mulamu said. Malumu added that Matsotso appeared before the Randburg Regional Court and is remanded in custody. The matter is postponed to 11 November for formal bail application and further investigation. Meanwhile, the Hawks assisted by Crime Intelligence, the Provincial Specific Crimes, Counter Intelligence, K9, Bomb Disposal, and Tactical Response Team kept surveillance on the second suspect who was positively linked to the same incident. “He was apprehended at his home in Dube, Soweto in the early hours of Thursday. The joint team managed to seize an undisclosed amount of money, two vehicles, laptops, and Fidelity uniform. The 40-year-old man is expected to appear before the Randburg Regional Court on Monday facing similar charges with his co-accused,” Mulamu said. Investigations are still continuing.
A second wave warning from Cyril Ramaphosa The warning comes as government officials and advisors voice their increasing concerns about ‘COVID fatigue’. Some eight months into this lockdown, people have grown tired of the threat posed by the virus, choosing to ignore social distancing rules or failing to wear masks where required. Ramaphosa has urged the public to show a bit of teamwork: “A second wave at any scale will not just dramatically reverse our health gains. It will choke the green shoots of economic recovery that have emerged, and take us back from spring to winter. To prevent a second wave of covid-19 infections, we must observe the public health guidelines that remain in place.” “With the festive season approaching, it is critical that we do not become the architects of our own undoing. When we fail to wear a mask at a social gathering, when we attend crowded events, we are not only putting ourselves and others at risk. We are also putting our economic recovery in jeopardy. Let us all continue to play our part. Reasons to be cheerful President ramaphosa did, however, suggest that better days were on the horizon for south africa. If the public
continues to comply with the current health measures, then there’s no reason we can’t feel optimistic for the summer season ahead: “The positive actions of wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, and regular hand washing helped us overcome the worst effects of the pandemic. They are still our best defence. Let us remember the sacrifices we all had to make to contain the spread of the virus in the early
The sentiments of posts are analysed (Positive or Negative) across 70 topics, and seven broad categories such as reputation, pricing, customer retention and customer service. The net score index is determined by subtracting negative sentiment from positive sentiment. This year saw new entrants into the marker TymeBank and Discovery Bank, though sentiment around Bank Zero was not factored in as the bank is yet to officially launch. Overall net sentiment have shown that South Africans were overwhelmingly negative about local banks, with only one bank managing to score a positive score overall. Most complaints are around customer service and confusion over coronavirus relief measures implemented by the banks. Below are the responses: AFRICAN BANK African Bank managed to score a positive sentiment this year. “In its first year of being included in the index, African Bank achieved the highest net sentiment. It also received almost four times as many purchase enquiries from prospective customers, relative to the industry average. The demand
for African Bank’s products centred primarily on loans. More than half of these requests came as a result of the bank’s successful advertising. In particular, loans offering small sums for ‘tiding consumers over during tough times,” said BrandsEye. Capitec Bank scored the lowest negative sentiment, followed by TymeBank, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Absa, FNB and Discovery Bank.
CAPITEC Capitec Bank is still the most consistent incumbent bank, according to BrandsEye. Despite the negative score in 2020, it remains the incumbent with the highest net sentiment score, driven largely by its affordability. Negative sentiments centred around its new banking app – instances of downtime and other struggles in the digital space – especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic where digital banking became the norm .. NEDBANK Nedbank saw a 33-point drop in its score. This was due largely to reputational damage done by allegations that pricing of its home loans given to black customers was racist. A court case in February which awarded one customer R2 million rand, brought the allegations into the spotlight. DISCOVERY BANK Despite Nedbank’s drop, Discovery Bank was the lowest scoring bank. “Discovery Bank was the worst performer in the industry. It faced
CYRIL RAMAPHOSA
Read this story and others on www.tamtimes.co.za
Which Is The Best Bank In SA? BrandsEye published the 2020 South African Banking Sentiment Index, revealing how consumers feel about the large retail banks in the country. The index is based on over 2.5 million social media posts about local banks, between September 2019 and August 2020.
days.” “Even as most social and economic activity has resumed, we must still observe all the health measures. This is absolutely necessary if we are to rebuild our economy and put this crisis behind us. After a long and difficult winter, the beginning of a new season should fill us with optimism.”
major operational issued more than a year after its launch. Complaints were driven by a combination of low consumer confidence and poor customer service,” said BrandsEye. In one instance Discovery Bank client accounts suddenly reflected a zero balance. Another concern was not needing a CVV number to make online purchases. Customer service was also a concern of customers,“Customers reported having to reach out to multiple contacts at the bank to receive a response, and waiting long periods for help. This led to the bank hanging the worst response rate to social media queries, suggesting it lacks the requisite capacity to serve its customers,” BrandsEye said. OTHER BANKS TymeBank having a smaller customer base and less complex offering, thus a lower risk of issues helped TymeBank’s score a great deal. The bank’s response to queries were however rated as poor. Absa suffered from genera negative banking sentiment despite flying under the radar for any major social media mishaps. Its Response rate was exceptionally poor with two thirds of priority complaints left unresolved according to BrandsEye. Standard Bank was criticised by customers for failing to respond to queries as well as receiving backlash over its coronavirus relief measures. FNB suffered the most from negative sentiment towards its coronavirus relief measures, and had the highest number of cancellation threat from customers.
27 2020 2910October September 2020 November 2020
14 July 2020
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be fronting the respective international causes over two legs between the Test arch-rivals. If the cream of SA domestic franchises shifted emphasis to the other side of the equator, there would instantly be deeper After two weeks of inactivity, the Cheetahs curiosity every year over how our finest visit the Sharks in Durban for the weekend’s players weigh up against New Zealand first Super Rugby Unlocked fixture. Round counterparts - minus the intelligence 5 of Super Rugby Unlocked gets underway that would more customarily be gleaned on Friday night, and kicks off with a big SOCCER during the long Super Rugby slog. one in Durban between the Sharks and the In the Premier Springbok fullb Also to consider: it has always been Cheetahs at Kings Park. lost to Leicester, less than ideal (at least that’s how I feel) underwent an ap Manchester City’s that the Jaguares of Super Rugby simply after being rush An have enforced year in 2020, due ever-prestigious Six Nations steers clear The two sides two winsgap apiece in the reappear soon afterwards, in at least 95 the Premier leagu to of the Covid-19 but pandemic, would of - has surrendered more than a little Register your inte early stages the competition, only percent of playing-personnel cases, as the Meanwhile, Manc of its mystique. When the Bulls were in instantly heighten interest for the 2021 Lions tickets in So the visitors are unbeaten going into the Pumas in the Championship. 3-2 on Saturda competition, with a fresher feel and their 2007-10 heyday, for example, they encounter. Le Roux told Sun On that note, nobody has said much some sense of regrowth among the might find their Bok-laden side playing 100th-minute pe The fixture marks a return to action for yet about the fate of the Argentinean he had a stomach the Crusaders (just as crammed with four competing nations.rugby legends particithird straight w com and the #RugbyUnites legends be chelle van Eyden, the head of sponsorSouth African the men from the Free State, who enjoyed franchise if the SA sides do abandon which he thought By then, though, a tonic of another type top-bracket All Blacks) toward the end alleviating poverty. Hunger 2-1. In the Bund pated inofa matches, humanitarian course ges- ship at Vodacom, sad that the initiative Superinvolved Rugby inand the Australasian a bye in the previous round may have come into play for Springbok of ordinary season, then again in a key eaten. is not something that we can more postpone to Hoffenheim en had been part of #RugbyUnites under ture on Sunday, donating food parheavyweight countries cosy up while their game against the of Lions a enthusiasts: the lack a preceding Super knockout match. Just a few weeks beyond The 30-year-old s profoundly together. of 4-1. the sponsorship of Cell C before cels to poor families affected the many week prior was postponed after several of the same customers would Voda- and I know exactly how it feels. I have on Rugby tournament featuring players bythat, Wednesday be members from of the our Johannesburg franchise’s been there myself, not knowing where com came on board. Covid-19 lockdown. Players from the neck of the woods. gave him an injec squad tested positive for COVID-19. Bulls, Lions, That willVodacom come about if, inEmirates the interim, SA Cell C “We decided to partner with Cell C be- my next meal is going to come from,” FORMULA 1 the pain Two debutants been named the Stormers Rugbyhave shifts our four in existing franchise Valtteri Bottas ra Gqoboka started the However, Sharks, and DHL gathered cause it is a good cause they are doing. he explained. on Thursday, Le matchday participants 23 by Cheetahs coach Hawies into an expanded version at Loftus Park where they shopped Vodacom has always been a big sup- foundation to give hope to rural folk in with Hamilton coR Fourie, who loose forward Jeandré of gave the northern hemisphere’s PRO14 ... the Mediclinic Valtteri Bottasin toS KwaBhaca, where he grew up. for a brand a purpose,” she Bosch, for groceries to the value of R330,000. Tambwe, 10 Curwin 9 Sanele Cheetahs: 15 Claytonporter Blommetjies, 14 with a strengthening rumour,the fuelled by the Rudolph and lock Khutha Mchunu doctor said 1h34’00.364 with I grew7up in a place where we only got “The said. “Because12of Vodacom FanButhelezi, They then packed food hampers Nohamba; Super 8 Phepsi Henco Malcolm Jaer,which 13 William Small-Smith, murmurs fromfirst Australasia opportunity to earn their cap from that the two then removed,Lew wa in second. Venter (c), 6Saturday, Dylan Richardson, 5 Hyron Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Saturday Specman, which 10 Tianwas electricity last year; basically where held on included several essential food items: the bench.superpowers there wish to “go it alone” Andrews, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 JohnSchoeman, 9 Tian Meyer; 8 Aidon Davis, he was afraid tha onions, rice, bread, cooking for every point scored, Vodacom do- there are no opportunities. I thought took 3rd place af at Super potatoes, Rugby level in future. Another back-rower, Junior Pokomela Hubert Meyer, Dan 1there Ox Nche. Junior Pokomela (C), 6 Andisa Ntsila, session. wanted to kee that iswhich a lot of there are he nated R2500 andthem that ended up 2being oil, peanut butter, macaroni, on Monday, is talent in thebut 48-hour in contact with were tested. Dr. Jooste, The Lions will have 97 players unavailable A seismic shift like that, after quarter oftomatoes, a skippers the side, while Bok loosie, Oupa Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Luan de to other pro-era Super no opportunities, so I started anthe organ- least Saturday or Gqoboko sugar items. 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There is another first, in the Boan Venter, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Oupa Bholi, 21 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 22 Grant But it would remove quite a significant at bursaries other unions less clustered than initially thought. Open week “We give as wellexhibiting and last year prop, who initiated it in an players will be Henco distributed. Sharks camp, with flanker Venter The money for the Springboks afterwards if SPORTS NEWS TO: this that Mohoje, 20 Jeandré Rudolph, 21 Ruben de Williams, 23 Werner Kok. portion of theDr. “same old faces” look to the symptoms but testing negative, though Collins also confirmed that the two Rob Collins, team doctor, said that about the quality taking over the armband ladies was sitgroceriesfrom wasRugby raised during the return attempt to make a difference in the lives we gave two. One of the my appendix wou editor@tametimes.co.za Championship, coming as it traditionally Haas, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Chris Smit. The fixture kicks off at 18:55 (SAST), and no such had to be withdrawn as well Collins four players tested positive during World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am, who had sits dog to chew” and ting atsaid home for fisituation ve years had andbeen couldn’t scared needy families. of the Vodacom Super Fan Saturday at ofStormers Y andSEND can’t has, annually, in the immediate smoke Sharks: Manie Libbok, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 will stream live on Supersport Grandstand present at Ellis Park. because they came in contact with the the Vodacom mandatory round of testing earlier out the encounter. Loftus. After a 45-minute study because of fi nances. She is now Rugby Players shopping for the hampers donated R2,500 for evtrail of Super Rugby. SPORTS NE experiencing.” Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Madosh (Channel 201). for second the game against theman- conditions, Azare Lions thatthat became symptomatic after in thescored. week. SHARKS VS CHEETAHS TEAMS doing her year in project “We know poverty is one of the gi- Kick-off ery when point Especially the South African editor@tame Le Roux, who ha onThe Saturday be 16:30 the that match. players had shown challengeThe in Two Super Rugby has been by asymptoms agement. otherwill one dropped out Kovinic 6-1 6-2. we are facing and fighting in Cheetahs initiative was started #Rug- ants Springboks, is exp “One player symptoms and the rest of players who were our forceful one, with interest bythe at least country. It is developed such an amazing thing four years ago and now she is doing her In the Men’s sing byUnites in partnership withone the South September to pla team right to theRugby end ofLegends the finals series Dennis Novak. African Association. Mi- to see massive companies like Voda- second year in media” club. Verblitz are phase, the Championship - usually held over a double round, too, something the Blacks mentor Ste Le Roux has since
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