8 Thursday, August 12 2021 THE STAR

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■■PRETORIA MAN WHO BAGGED R17M POWERBALL JACKPOT PLANS DREAM WEDDING ■■D-DAY FOR CYRIL RAMAPHOSA AT STATE CAPTURE opinion INQUIRY: WHAT WILL HE REVEAL? OOPINION

EDITORIAL COMMENT REPERCUSSIONS FOR THOSE WHO FAIL TO DELIVER

THE rampant corruption and malad- ministration in municipalities across the country remain a major cause for HELMO PREUSS concern, and something needs to be done to stop the rot. Every now and then, we witness shocking incidents and allegations Regulatory levelled against those tasked with the management of these institutions. More shocking is the fact that munic- measure on ipalities are the sphere of government closest to the people on the ground. tech companies The spate of fraud, corruption, maladministration, theft, infighting and, lately, alleged involvement in is not unique political killings against those tasked with leading the institutions, threatens to China South Africa’s developmental agenda. A recent Independent Media news report looked at how a certain district SOUTH African investors may per- mayor was allegedly part of a bid pro- ceive that the Chinese government is cess that hired additional bodyguards, unfairly treating Chinese technology which exceeded the budget, and companies in their recent regulatory donated money to an oil company. moves, but the reality is that many He also allegedly interfered with the governments around the world worry municipality’s administrative duties. about the monopolistic and anti-com- In Umkhanyakude the IFP and petitive behaviour of large technology ANC have been squabbling since companies such as Amazon, Apple, the beginning of the year. The IFP Facebook and Microsoft. snatched control of the municipality Anti-monopoly legislation in fact and appointed Tim Moodley as mayor goes back to the 19th century in the in March after the ANC boycotted a US. The 1890 Sherman Act was aimed council meeting. The ANC has been at being a “comprehensive charter of trying to take it back through various economic liberty aimed at preserving motions that have been unsuccess- free and unfettered competition as the ful. This has severely affected service rule of trade”. One of the act’s main delivery. We stand with Palestine provisions outlaws all combinations In eMadlangeni in Dannhauser, the that restrain trade between states, ANC had fought internally over who Unjust actions committed by Israel offend letter and spirit of AU charter while a second key provision makes it should be appointed speaker. illegal for attempts to monopolise any The Alfred Duma Municipality part of trade or commerce in the US. mayor in Ladysmith, Vincent Madlala, ON BEHALF of the South African guide us such as the Universal Dec- economic challenges, straining exist- Firms found in violation of the act was recently arrested, together with his government, I recently had to com- COMMENT laration of Human Rights, the Cov- ing systems that are already grappling can be ordered dissolved by the courts, three sons, for their alleged involve- municate our objection to the unjust enants on Civil and Political Rights with numerous difficulties. and it was used in the 1990s against ment in politically related killings. and unwarranted decision of the AU and Economic, Social and Cultural The pandemic has further exac- Microsoft, where the US Department Newcastle mayor Ntuthuko Mahl- Commission to grant Israel observer Rights, as well as the Declaration on erbated the challenges faced by civil- of Justice found that Microsoft had aba recently appeared in court on status in the union. the Granting of Independence to Colo- ians and vulnerable groups, especially attempted to create a monopoly posi- charges of theft, assault and malicious The commission has taken this nial Countries and Peoples (1960), we women, girls, people with disabilities tion in Internet browser software. damage to property. decision unilaterally without consul- ask, why is it that, over half a century and children, including those in the Google has already settled one anti- This is just the tip of the iceberg. tation with its member states. The later, the question of Palestine remains Occupied Territory. Containment trust lawsuit in France after paying Under Chapter 7 of the Constitu- decision to grant Israel observer status unresolved and why is it that the measures have affected access to $270 million in fines and agreeing to tion, a municipality has the right to is even more shocking in a year in DR NALEDI people of Palestine are denied many of socio-economic necessities. change some of its business practices. govern, on its own initiative, the local which the oppressed people of Pal- PANDOR the rights contained in these seminal In this regard, it is paramount that This is similar to the $2.75 billion government affairs of its community, estine were hounded by destructive documents? the occupying power fulfil its obliga- fine that Alibaba paid for monopolistic subject to national and provincial leg- bombardments and continued ille- power and a people, resisting occu- South Africa, along with many tions in terms of international law behaviour in April 2021. The differ- islation, as provided for in the Con- gal settlements of their land. The AU pation”. in the UN membership have long and together with the international ence between China and other coun- stitution. strenuously objected to the deaths The Palestinian narrative evokes accepted and supported a two-state community ensure that all barriers to tries is that China has only recently There should be major repercus- of Palestinians and the destruction experiences of South Africa’s own his- solution, with Israel and Palestine liv- accessing health care are eliminated. enacted anti-monopolistic legalisation, sions for those who fail to fulfil their of civilian infrastructure. The com- tory of racial segregation and oppres- ing side by side in peace. Decades of The illegal settlements leading to so investors still need to figure out the constitutional obligations. Especially mission’s decision in this context is sion. As oppressed South Africans, we aggression have made this internation- dispossession and displacements and “rules of the game”. for those entrusted with leading the inexplicable. experienced first-hand the effects of ally recognised concept improbable. human rights abuses are incompatible China’s anti-monopoly laws were interests of the poor. The unjust actions committed by racial inequality and discrimination South Africa urges the interna- with international humanitarian law only passed in 2007, years after the Israel offend the letter and spirit of and we are well aware of the long-term tional community and in particular and international human rights law. Chinese big tech companies were the Charter of the AU. The union impact and consequences of racial and the UN to ensure the safeguarding of The policies and practices of Israel, as founded, so when they expanded there embodies the aspirations of all Africans other forms of discrimination. the rights of the Palestinian people. In the occupying power are in flagrant were no rules of the game in place. and reflects their confidence that it An unwavering commitment is this regard, we welcome the initiative violation of UN General Assembly and Tencent was founded in 1998 and can lead the continent through the required to eradicate discrimination to convene a Special Session of the Security Council resolutions and con- Naspers took a significant early stake, FOUNDED 1887 practical expression of the goals of the and policies of exclusion completely Human Rights Council on the grave travene international law. while Alibaba was founded in 1999 Editor Sifiso Mahlangu charter, especially on issues relating to and permanently the world over. It human rights situation in the Occu- It is therefore imperative that the and Baidu in 2000. The State Admin- Newsdesk 011 633 2410/2411 self-determination and decolonisation. is paramount that the global system pied Palestinian Territory. Security Council, as the body entrusted istration of Market Regulation, which Agency Sales 011 639 7100 Israel continues to illegally occupy deepens its efforts to eradicate the South Africa supports the recent to maintain international peace and has to apply the anti-monopoly laws, Direct Sales 011 633 2417 Palestine in complete defiance of its scourge of racism and discrimination adoption of the UN Human Rights security, take concrete steps against was only established in April 2018, so Legal Notices 011 633 2568 international obligations and relevant and allow those whose basic rights Council Resolution which estab- these illegal acts and go beyond mere it is only 40 months old. Subscriptions 0860 326 262 UN resolutions. The world continues have been violated, to enjoy the inher- lishes an International Commission rhetoric condemnation. China has recently noticeably Deliveries 0860 326 262 to witness some of the most horrific ent human rights that others enjoy on of Inquiry to Investigate Violations The recorded failures of the council stepped up supervision over its inter- scenes of brutality and violence exer- a daily basis. in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in ensuring respect for and the uphold- net companies, and it is at pains to say cised against Palestinians living in the Since its inception in 1945, the including East Jerusalem, and in Israel. ing of the rule of law has dented the that the regulatory moves should not Mail: Box 1014, Johannesburg 2000 E-mail: [email protected] Occupied Palestinian Territory. UN has championed the principles of However, action in this regard must be integrity of this august organ and be misunderstood as a signal that the Web: iol.co.za/the-star We have witnessed the senseless equality, non-discrimination and the peremptory to avoid reducing these highlighted the urgent need for the country wants to punish those compa- Facebook: facebook.com/The StarSA taking of young, innocent lives, the right to self-determination as an inte- initiatives to “feel good talk shops”. council reform. nies as a warning. The aim is to usher Twitter: @TheStar_news / @ReporterStar destruction of civilian infrastructure gral element of basic human rights and We are currently living in unprece- in an era of orderly and sustainable Instagram: @thestar_news and livelihoods in an “unbalanced fundamental freedoms. With interna- dented times. The Covid-19 pandemic Pandor is the Minister of International development of internet firms, which power equation between an occupying tional human rights instruments to has presented enormous social and Relations and Co-operation protects consumers and allows space for smaller competitors to develop. The aim now is to extend regulations on Chinese private enterprises. GROUP OMBUD The regulations are aimed at curb- ing corporate excesses, such as the Yogas Nair Paramilitary police force the new normal? [email protected] so-called 996 work culture, where Complaints can be sent to: workers have to work from 9am to Office of The Group Ombud (Arbitration) PROFESSOR THEODORE PETRUS of the historical and contemporary Is the endgame of the chaos in policing problem. Create instability in 9pm six days a week. In particular, con- [email protected] context of the SAPS suggests that there SAPS to ultimately create a restructured the police leadership. Create a percep- sumers are worried about data security. Legal matters IN THE latest episode of the controver- is an observable pattern that points to paramilitary police force? In a previous tion of the police as corrupt and involved This is by no means aimed at crack- [email protected] sies within the top leadership of the the systematic weakening of the SAPS article, I alluded to the problem-reac- in criminality. At the same time, ing down on private internet compa- Subscription Complaints and non delivery [email protected] SAPS, the Supreme Court of Appeal since the 1990s. tion-solution strategy employed by allow crime levels to rocket and paint nies. Rather, it is aimed at genuinely https://www.independentmediaombud.co.za/ dismissed the appeal by SAPS National Post-1994, the need to transform those in authority to convince the public the police as inadequate in addressing establishing rules, building an envi- Commissioner General Khehla Sitole, the police and gain the trust of com- to accept a particular course of action. high crime levels. ronment conducive to protecting com- The Star is printed by Insights Publishing, 47 to overturn the decision made by the munities became a priority. Unfortu- In short, a “problem” is created. In This, in turn, has led to increasing petition and accelerating the overall Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Street, Johannesburg, High Court that he and both of his nately, certain key events since the this case, the problem is the systematic calls from various sectors of the public development of internet companies. Gauteng. The copyright in the literary and artistic works contained in this newspaper and deputies were found to be politically 2000s, in which the SAPS played a sig- weakening of the SAPS that has been for the military to be brought in to Foreign investors remain upbeat its supplements, as well as in the published compromised, putting the interests of nificant part, have not only served to going on for decades. The problem is assist the police to quell crime. Most about the long-term performance of editions and any other content or material the ANC above those of the country. undo the efforts to transform the police, then allowed to escalate to crisis levels, recently, the military has been called in overseas-listed Chinese companies (including in any online version), belongs The SCA judgment preceded the but have arguably weakened them as a until the public react in a way where to assist in addressing the violent loot- with strong fundamentals, though exclusively to Independent Newspapers (Pty) chaos of the looting and violence that credible bulwark against crime. they demand that the authorities step ing that has happened in the country. regulatory uncertainties may have Limited unless otherwise stated. The copyright, including the reproduction and adaptation of any swept across Gauteng and KZN in July, The death of Andries Tatane in in and resolve the issue. This is then It is conceivable that we are perhaps clouded their short-term prospects. content or material contained in this newspaper and that once again exposed, among 2011 and the Marikana incident in the desired “reaction”. being prepared for a new permanent Firming up the rules of the game and its supplements, is expressly reserved to other things, the perceived inability of 2012 were two major events that The authorities may then at this paramilitary police force. Whether or may provide more policy predicta- the publisher, Independent Newspapers (Pty) the SAPS to adequately address public exposed the inherent weaknesses in point introduce their “solution”, not this will in fact materialise remains bility, so the shares of overseas-listed Limited, under Section 12(7) of the Copyright Act violence of this scale. the SAPS. Subsequent to these, exces- which in this case could be the cre- to be seen. But if this is the endgame, Chinese companies, such as Tencent of 1978. The circulation of The Star is certified The controversies surrounding sive force in their handling of protests, ation of a paramilitary policing struc- an even more significant question is – are expected to bounce back. by the Audit Bureau of Circulations, which can be contacted at PO Box 47189, Parklands, General Sitole are also not new. He growing allegations of police corrup- ture, with the support of the public. what will this mean for our rights and This view by foreign investors 2121, South Africa or Suite 5, Ground Floor, 158 has been embroiled in conflicts within tion and criminality, and the fact that If this was the case, what was the freedoms as citizens? should give comfort to investors in Jan Smuts, 9 Walters Ave, Rosebank, 2196, the most senior leadership structures most national commissioners left their strategy? Create conditions where the Naspers. Johannesburg. Cover price: R11.50 (includes VAT of the SAPS. But what is the bigger posts under a cloud further weakened public could be systematically condi- Petrus is an associate professor of at 15%). picture of this latest situation involv- the SAPS’ public image and its ability tioned to accept paramilitary policing Anthropology at the University of the Preuss is an economist at Forecaster ing the country’s top cop? An analysis to properly combat crime. as a viable solution to the country’s Free State Ecosa