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Daily Maverick
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Letter to Mahlamba Ndlopfu: My jacaranda tree is a living metaphor for a country in flux
Ah, Chief Dwasaho! A giant jacaranda tree stands forlornly outside my window, stripped bare of the riotous purple blossoms that once danced like confetti across Pretoria's avenues in summer. It looks lonely and confused, as though it no longer understands its place in the world or the delicate art of statecraft. You might recall, my leader, how the erstwhile Chief Tenant of Mahlamba Ndlopfu, Thabo Mbeki, once waxed lyrical about the jacaranda trees to illustrate the splendour of our land. In a flourish typical of his philosophical bent, he ventured into uncharted territory, posing the rhetorical question: 'At times, and in fear, I have wondered whether I should concede equal citizenship of our country to the leopard and the lion, the elephant and the springbok, the hyena, the black mamba and the pestilential mosquito.' As I ponder the future of my homeland, my jacaranda tree stands as a living metaphor for a country in flux — confused, stripped of its splendour, yet stubbornly rooted in the hope that spring might one day return. Comrade Leadership, I'm going all philosophical on you because simple language and polite presuppositions can no longer suffice to explain the goings-on in the Republic of the Guptas — a land seemingly complete with its own Ministry of Crime tucked inside the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster. Now, to keep things precise, the word 'cluster,' according to the Oxford English Dictionary, means: Cluster (noun): A group of similar things growing or held together; a bunch. A bunch of ministers, a cluster of chaos Comrade Leadership, I'm rather fond of that last bit — a bunch. Stay with me for a second. Today, the Ministry of Police boasts a proper bunch of FIVE warm bodies. Yes, you read that right. It's a bona fide bunch of a ministry, the only one globally. First, you instructed our alleged underworld figure, Senzo Mchunu, to retreat to Zululand and tend to his chickens — on full pay — with the Blue Light Bullies (VIP police) trailing behind him. Then, in a plot twist worthy of a daytime soapie, you appointed Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, as Acting Minister of Police, effective immediately. He's merely holding the fort until Professor Firoz Cachalia assumes office in early August 2025, again in an acting capacity. Meanwhile, Mchunu will continue to shuffle between the Police Commission of Inquiry, chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, and his taxpayer-funded hotel suite or state house, as he fancies. So here we stand, with a ministry housing three ministers — real, acting, and acting-in-waiting — plus two deputy ministers, namely Shela Boshielo and Cassel Mathale, both ANC acolytes. The latter serve diligently, albeit in near-total silence, thus redefining the very concept of a bunch within a cluster. If we add their bag carriers, security detail, administrators, speechwriters, spokespersons, heads of office or chiefs of staff, we've graduated from a 'bunch' to a fully fledged ANC branch. It comes complete with the quorum for singing 'My President, My President' at a regional conference at the Birchwood Hotel & Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, Benoni. I digress. Coup plots and the people's bae My leader, within this convoluted environment, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, caretaker of state security, enters, wide-eyed but speaking in hushed tones. Ntshavheni — the people's bae, renowned for her fiery promise to 'smoke them out' when it comes to illegal miners and private sector players allegedly plotting to collapse the ANC-led government, is suddenly muted. This week, she dropped the political equivalent of a thunderclap, revealing 'plots of a coup d'état, or unconstitutional changes of government, orchestrated or encouraged by elements both domestic and external'. Yet, tragically, she followed this bombshell with a curious disclaimer: 'We are not alarmist, but vigilant. It is our duty to detect and neutralise threats before they destabilise the Republic. South Africa is not immune to the global trend of hybrid threats, where disinformation, cyberattacks and foreign interests combine with local actors to try to delegitimise the state or effect regime change.' My leader, I am utterly devastated by the minister's newfound reluctance to lead from the front and 'identify coup d'état plotters and smoke them out'. Why this sudden bout of shyness? Why are we, of all nations battered by history, suddenly so timid, so determined not to be alarmist, especially when the very foundations of the Republic might be under siege from forces skulking both inside and outside our borders? Where, I ask you, is this much-vaunted bunch of a Ministry of Police when we need them the most? In truth, the entire Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster should be on high alert, lest we witness a repeat of the proverbial July 2021 civil unrest. Those 12 so-called instigators, if you remember, were apparently identified by former police minister Bheki Cele in his sleep. Yet they somehow managed to outsmart, outfox, outwit and downright embarrass the entire security apparatus of the Republic. Barbarians at the gate And I'm left wondering, my leader: If the people's bae herself is now whispering instead of roaring, who exactly will stand guard when the jackals — or shall we call them the Barbarians — come sniffing at the gates of our democracy, specifically at Mahlamba Ndlopfu? In times like these, we, as a nation (Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi included) must be vigilant, aware and ready to take action to protect our homeland from imigodoyi and underworld figures. I say so, my leader, because our Special Forces, police and army appear distracted these days. A whole 'bunch' of them are now deployed to protect our freshly minted National Key Point, none other than Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who, as you know, has been dropping political bombs — or was it missiles — that could blow the roof off the entire Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster. Meanwhile, the army types are playing a very different kind of war game, marching in and out of courtrooms, their boots squeaking on polished tiles instead of battlefield dust. On 11 July 2025, 12 SANDF Special Forces operators appeared in the Randburg Magistrate's Court facing a cocktail of charges including murder, kidnapping, fraud, obstruction of justice, perjury and vehicle theft. Their alleged involvement in the murder of Hawks investigator Frans Mathipa, tied to a kidnapping case involving a suspected Isis associate, reads like a Hollywood script. Except this is no blockbuster film. It's real life, with consequences for the integrity of our security cluster and the safety of 'our people'. Mafia state? My leader, all of this leaves me grappling with a chilling question: are we teetering on the brink of a failed state, or have we become a fully fledged mafia state? Because it's becoming increasingly complex to tell the difference. One minute, we're standing tall, singing Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, our fists raised high, eyes glistening with patriotic fervour, tears rolling down our cheeks as we swear that ours is a land of peace, justice and freedom. The next minute, we're hunched over our smartphones, squinting through bloodshot eyes at news alerts that speak of ministers under investigation, Special Forces members frog-marched into courtrooms, and whispers of coups slithering like vipers through the corridors of power. New citizens Perhaps, like the philosopher king Mbeki, we should indeed consider extending citizenship not to humans, who seem so hellbent on betrayal and plunder, but rather to the lions, leopards and elephants — creatures that, at the very least, understand the sacredness of territorial integrity and the solemn duty of sovereignty. At least the lion, when he roars, roars for real, and not in carefully worded press statements drafted by spin doctors who've mastered the art of saying absolutely nothing in a thousand words. With lions, there would be no cosy clandestine meetings in smoke-filled rooms to plot tenders and sell out national secrets. At least the leopard, when he stalks his prey, does so with lethal purpose, not dithering behind endless commissions of inquiry or ducking questions from parliamentary committees. At least the elephant, in its grandeur, never forgets, a quality that would serve this Republic well, given how conveniently our leaders' memories seem to fail them whenever brown envelopes start changing hands. Brown Mogotsi, anyone? My leader, sometimes I wonder if the wild animals would better guard the gates of Mahlamba Ndlopfu than some of those currently holding high office.
The Independent
17-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
Ohio zoo cited after door separating two groups of lions broke, leading to death of a lioness
A zoo in Ohio has been cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture after the agency investigated the death of a female lion at the park. According to the USDA report, the Columbus Zoo self-reported an April 17 incident in which a sliding door meant to separate two groups of lions failed. The barrier was supposed to keep a male lion, named Roary, away from an adult female lion named Asali. The animals were separated after zoo officials deemed them incompatible, according to WBNS. All of the lions ended up in the same space, which ultimately led to both Roary and Asali suffering injuries from fights inside their enclosures. Veterinarians at the zoo treated the lions immediately after they were injured, but Asali's bite wounds were too severe and she had to be euthanized. Roary sustained minor injuries and recovered after the incident. Two younger lionesses were also living in the habitat, and neither were hurt. Columbus Zoo staff believe that the sliding panel that separated the groups of animals was actually broken by one of the animals. The USDA cited the zoo and asked it to fix the issue by June 20. The agency has also asked the zoo to make sure that its replacement is made of more durable material. The window in the paneling was, according to zoo officials, the weak point that allowed the door to break. 'Our lion shift doors are constructed with thick HDPE material, commonly used for this purpose. These doors were constructed to include a window that could be opened or closed - a tool commonly used in doors across accredited zoological organizations to safely facilitate animal introductions,' the zoo said in a statement. 'All doors and locks are checked daily by keepers, however during the night, this door gave way. We determined that the window that was manufactured into the door likely created a structural weak point.' Zoo officials conducted an internal investigation into the malfunction, and in doing so checked other, similar paneling throughout the park. A zoo spokesperson told WBNS that the organization is trying to make the best of a bad situation by learning from the incident and sharing that knowledge with other zoos and wildlife parks. 'Since the incident occurred, in addition to conducting a full internal review the Zoo has also taken steps to turn this tragedy into a learning opportunity—for us and for our peers. As part of our commitment to animal wellbeing and continuous improvement, we have shared details of the incident with other accredited zoos," the spokesperson told WBNS. 'Our goal is simple: if our experience can prevent even one similar incident elsewhere, then we have a responsibility to speak up." The spokesperson said the Columbus Zoo knows "the importance of not just holding ourselves accountable but helping elevate standards across the profession." 'The safety and wellbeing of our animals is—and always will be—our top priority," the spokesperson said. "We continue to grieve the loss of Asali and are committed to doing everything in our power to prevent an incident like this from ever happening again.'
Politico
10-07-2025
- Business
- Politico
Trump steps up attacks on Powell with tariff inflation muted
Businesses accelerated their imports prior to Trump's tariffs taking effect, which may have helped keep prices steady as they worked through existing inventories. The June Logistics Managers Index — which tracks freight activity and pricing — found that inventories expanded last month 'as importers scrambled to take advantage of the pause in the most punitive tariffs.' Trump's latest round of tariff threats may have little effect on overall costs, however. Samuel Tombs of Pantheon Economics said the sky-high 'reciprocal' levies that could hit Japanese and South Korean imports on Aug. 1 won't have a material impact on the overall tariff rate or inflation, given that the exports from both countries are largely covered by exemptions and sector-specific levies. What's more, there's some indication that certain exporters from overseas might be absorbing some of the costs by reducing prices for American importers. Economists at Goldman Sachs estimate that exporters have eaten a fifth of the costs so far — with Chinese exporters accounting for the lion's share — based on how product-level import prices have moved following the implementation of new import taxes. (Miran noted in his report that prices on imported goods began fading in 2023.) Still, the remaining costs are considerable. The U.S. has taken in almost $100 billion in tariff revenue this year — Bessent recently said the total could climb to as high as $300 billion by year-end — but evidence suggests those costs have largely been borne by companies. In the same report, the Goldman team estimated that tariffs have been responsible for less than a one-tenth of a percentage point increase in consumer prices this year — though the effects could still intensify. While businesses from Best Buy to Costco have raised prices due to import duties, many others are holding fire. 'Most businesses have not fully passed along the cost of the tariffs,' Neil Bradley, the chief policy officer and head of strategic advocacy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said during a panel on Wednesday. 'Part of that's a hope that the tariffs go down. Part of it is a concern about market share that they might have. Part of it might be uncertainty about the macroeconomy.' As long as that remains the case, high-level economic data will continue to provide Trump with arguments to go after Powell over borrowing costs — or make lowering interest rates a litmus test for anyone who might want to take his place.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
1k hectares grassland in Barda sanctuary to help more lions roar
Rajkot: Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Porbandar district is steadily coming into its own as a natural extension of lion territory. Once a quiet reserve, Barda is now at the heart of a major conservation effort to create a self-sustaining habitat for Asiatic lions . The forest department has launched a project focused on restoring native grasslands and strengthening the prey base — laying the groundwork for lions to thrive here on their own. Spread across 1,000 hectares, the sanctuary is undergoing a green revival. Invasive plant species are being cleared on a large scale, and native grasses are being cultivated to support herbivores that form the base of the lion's food chain. According to the latest lion census, Barda is now home to 17 lions. The first — a solitary male — arrived naturally. Soon after, five lionesses were translocated to the sanctuary, and their successful mating led to the birth of 11 cubs. With this, Barda has proven itself as a naturally viable habitat. Forest officials have taken a hands-off approach, allowing the population to grow organically. The groundwork for this success was laid years ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tecno Pova 7 Series starting at 12,999 - Catch the light. TECNO Mobile Buy Now Undo In 2014, the forest department set up a breeding centre for Sambar and spotted deer. Since then, hundreds of herbivores born in captivity have been released into the wild, helping to establish a solid prey base for the growing lion population. But restoring the landscape hasn't been easy. Deputy conservator of forests, Ravi Prasad Radhakrishna, pointed out that invasive species — such as single acacia (Acacia nilotica), Lantana camara, and Cassia tora — have posed a major challenge. "These alien species prevent native grasses from germinating," he said. "We've launched an intensive removal drive and are promoting native grass species to rebuild a healthy ecosystem for herbivores. " Experts believe birds may have unknowingly contributed to the spread of these invasives, either by carrying seeds on their feathers or excreting them after feeding elsewhere. "Barda is increasingly seen as Gujarat's second home for lions," Radhakrishna said. "With lions naturally dispersing into the area, we're shaping the habitat to support that expansion. In time, we expect the population to reach ecological saturation." The sanctuary now also hosts Nilgai and wild boar — adding further richness to the food chain. Officials believe Barda has the potential to support up to 40 to 50 lions in total. Recognizing its ecological promise, the forest department has also launched a jungle safari to boost eco-tourism and raise public awareness—inviting people to witness the quiet revival of a forest now finding its roar.
CTV News
07-07-2025
- CTV News
Lion owners arrested after an attack on woman and her 2 children in Pakistan
A 4-year-old lion named Simba, who was rescued from Syria by the animal rights group Four Paws, is released into an enclosure at the Lionsrock Lodge and Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, South Africa, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) LAHORE — The owners of a pet lion that escaped from a farmhouse and injured a woman and her two children have been arrested in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, authorities said Sunday. The arrest comes after dramatic video footage surfaced showing the lion leaping over a wall before attacking the victims in a residential area. The woman and her 5- and 7-year-old children sustained injuries to their faces and arms on Wednesday night when the lion escaped from its cage, police official Faisal Kamran said. According to a police report, the children's father told police that the lion's owners stood by and watched as the animal clawed at his family, making no effort to restrain it. The lion later returned to the owners' farmhouse and was relocated to a wildlife park, police said. Keeping exotic animals such as lions is considered a status symbol among some wealthy Pakistanis, despite the legal requirements and high fees associated with ownership. The Associated Press
