Cape Town – The Blue Bulls have confirmed the return of former Springbok Morne Steyn to the franchise for the start of the 2020 Super Rugby season.
The 34-year-old has played over a 100 games for French club Stade Francais since joining them in 2013 but had to settle at fullback in recent months after the club signed Argentine Nicolas Sanchez to back up Frenchman Jules Plisson at flyhalf.
Steyn represented the Bulls in 124 games between 2008 and 2013 and is still the leading all-time points scorer for the franchise. He also represented the Springboks in 66 Tests between 2009 and 2016.
Bulls CEO Alfons Meyer believes Steyn still has much to contribute to the franchise.
“It is great for us, he is a very experienced player who can still play at the highest levels.”
Meyer was extremely happy to have Steyn return to the fold.
“We are very pleased to have him back in the Bull kraal,” he concluded.
The captors of SA photojournalist Shiraaz Mohamed have split into two groups, with one continuing their demands for a ransom and the other pushing for him to be released unconditionally.
This new information was released by humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman on Tuesday after a second video of Mohamed was posted to social media by Mohamed’s captors.
It has been more than two years since Mohamed was captured in Syria while on his way back to the Turkish border after accompanying Gift of the Givers.
Two drivers captured with Mohamed were released immediately and were told he was being held for “questioning”.
It is believed that he has been held in captive since then, although very little information has emerged since his disappearance.
New information
After proof that he was alive emerged in April, a US$1.5m (R21.5m) ransom demand was made in exchange for Mohamed’s release.
News24 previously reported that Gift of the Givers made it clear that they could not pay the ransom as they did not have that kind of money at their disposal.
Letters from religious leaders were also sent to the captors asking for Mohamed to be freed unconditionally.
“After having received the ransom request of 1.5m USD we communicated with the intermediary on May 5, 6, 8 and 12,” Sooliman said on Tuesday.
“The intermediary has been very good and understanding and says he is trying to convince the captors to release Shiraaz unconditionally.”
Sooliman added that the letters and information that the ransom could not be paid was met with mixed reaction by Mohamed’s captors.
“One group still wants the ransom. We didn’t pursue the discussion to reduce the amount as that creates expectancy. The second group said release him unconditionally.”
“There is no finality which way it is going as yet.”
Second video
In April, a video was released which showed a masked man clad in a black top and camouflage pants, with an assault rifle, standing behind Mohamed as the photojournalist begs for help.
“Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, my South African president, my family, my friends, the international community, anyone that can help… I need your help,” he said.
“I live in fear of my life… I am scared. The area that I am in is being bombed by the Russian air force… the bombs are getting closer and closer and closer. I need your help. Please help me.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Sooliman said after the second video of Mohamed was brought to their attention, they checked in with the individual who sent the first video.
“He was very surprised to hear of this and was not aware of it,” Sooliman said.
“It seems to be a modified version of the one that was initially sent to us so we are not paying too much attention to it.”
Sooliman added that the intermediary said communicating with the captors is far more complex now with all the bombing.
“However, he has sent a message today to ask for an explanation on who circulated the new video and what its purpose was.”
Middle Eastern governments approached for help
Sooliman said the intermediary, of his own volition, had approached two Middle Eastern governments to assist with the payment of the ransom.
Both governments, which were not named, declined to help.
The intermediary also emphasised that the real concern right now is the intense bombing on Syria.
You would have to be living in a cave to have missed the CBD (cannabidiol) craze that is sweeping across America: New products are cramming store shelves as the market explodes for what many Americans believe to be a miracle cure-all.
Everything from oils to gummies to pills, creams and ointments are now for sale at supermarkets and specialty chains. You can even get massages infused with CBD, or cosmetics laced with the drug.
A ‘flood’ of products
All of these products contain cannabidiol but not THC, the ingredient in pot that provides a “high”. But what do scientists really know about the health benefits and risks of CBD?
Precious little, experts say, and consumers should take care that they aren’t wasting their money.
“You have a flood of CBD products that are coming from hemp that are going out onto the market, and you’ve got all sorts of claims being made about those from people are trying to sell them,” said Timothy Welty, chair of the department of clinical sciences at Drake University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, in Des Moines, Iowa.
The flood of CBD products has become so overwhelming that the US Food and Drug Administration recently stepped into the fray.
The agency has whipped out a flurry of warning letters to companies marketing CBD products, telling them to stop making unfounded health claims for the substance.
Companies have falsely claimed that CBD can stop cancer cells, slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, ease nerve pain and fibromyalgia, and curb withdrawal symptoms for people undergoing substance abuse treatment, the FDA letters state.
What started the craze?
The agency will hold a public hearing regarding CBD products and their safety, and it has formed a working group to consider new laws and regulations to govern this Wild West market.
CBD products have swamped the market not because of any new medical evidence, but because of a change in federal law, Welty noted.
Late last year, Congress passed a farm bill that lifted a decades-old ban on growing hemp. As long as the plant contains less than 0.3% THC, hemp can be grown legally anywhere in the United States by licensed farmers.
The bill specifically said the US Drug Enforcement Agency cannot regulate hemp products like CBD, Welty said. So, it’s now up to the FDA to regulate the CBD craze.
The body contains a system of receptors that respond to the compounds in marijuana, including both THC and CBD, noted Dr David Copenhaver, director of cancer pain management and supportive care for the University of California, Davis Health Center.
Because of this, researchers have been highly interested in the potential benefits of CBD regarding a number of different health problems.
Potential to treat anxiety disorder
To date, there’s only one use for CBD that has significant scientific evidence behind it – curbing the symptoms of rare forms of epilepsy.
The FDA last year approved the drug Epidiolex to treat two forms of childhood epilepsy. The medical evidence has shown that the highly purified CBD in Epidiolex can ease seizures.
For the rest of CBD’s potential uses, there is simply too little evidence to make a firm conclusion.
The next potential medical use for CBD could be for the symptoms of anxiety disorder, said Welty and Yasmin Hurd, chair of translational neuroscience and director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai.
Clinical trials suggest that CBD could help treat anxiety, but Welty feels there needs to be more study. Hurd is slightly more convinced, but agrees more study is needed.
Other uses
“There is published evidence that CBD does decrease anxiety,” Hurd said. “That’s another indication where I can say I can believe the data; however, we still don’t know the dosing regimen that would be effective for anxiety. Those are studies that are ongoing.”
Other uses – as an anti-inflammatory, an aid for substance withdrawal, a sleep aid, a pain reliever – haven’t been conclusively proven.
In some cases, the evidence runs counter to what people might suspect.
There’s not much reason to believe CBD would be an effective means of pain relief, said Dr Ajay Wasan, vice chair for pain medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
“If you think of it as a medicine, it would be a weak analgesic,” Wasan said. “It’s really the THC component of medical marijuana which is the compound that gives you pain relief.”
Possibility of harm
CBD might actually make the eye disease glaucoma worse, according to a study published last December in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.
Researchers found that CBD eye drops increased ocular pressure in mice, even as THC appeared to reduce pressure – which might explain why medical marijuana has had mixed results when it comes to studies on glaucoma treatment.
“I’ve been surprised how much CBD has taken off and exploded with very little data,” Wasan said. “Most of the other herbal supplements, there are at least some studies on it before it becomes really popular. But for this, I haven’t seen anything.”
The bottom line, researchers said, is that people who want to try CBD for one reason or another should talk with their doctor first. Welty noted that Epidiolex can be put to “off-label” use for other conditions if a doctor feels it might work.
Besides that, consumers might consider buying CBD products from a state-run programme. Some states like Iowa have established such programmes to make CBD available medicinally, Welty said.
“Those products are more reliable, because they have a system to monitor the purity of content,” Welty said. “You’re a little more sure that you’re getting what you’re paying for.”
Many unregulated products
Welty is much less sure of the “artisanal products” containing CBD that are available in stores and dispensaries, and for good reason – studies have shown that most of these products fail tests for content and purity.
A 2017 study concluded that nearly seven of 10 CBD products didn’t contain the amount of cannabidiol promised on the label, according to findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Nearly 43% of the products contained too little CBD, while about 26% contained too much. Worse, about one in five CBD products contained the intoxicating pot chemical THC.
“The CBD products that come through that route, there’s essentially no control, and you as a consumer have no way to know what you’re getting,” Welty said.
Copenhaver believes other legitimate uses for CBD could be found, but it will require a more extensive knowledge of the way the human body responds to marijuana’s different compounds.
People might do best to wait until the dust settles regarding the medical evidence, rather than being caught up in the CBD craze, Hurd said.
“It’s like we do this every 30 years or so,” Hurd said. “We romanticise something, that this is going to be the cure-all for every disorder. We’ve never found that.”
Details of alleged interference, fraud and an intricate network of corruption linked to eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and councillor Mondli Mthembu have been laid bare in the Durban Commercial Crime Court.
Gumede was arrested on Tuesday morning, before making her appearance in a packed court room, after she and Mthembu handed themselves over to police.
While Gumede was granted bail of R50 000, details by investigating Hawks officer Lieutenant Colonel Ngoako Mphaki implicate her and Executive Committee (exco) councillor Mthembu in a web of corruption in Durban Solid Waste (DSW).
An affidavit by Mphaki, read out by senior State prosecutor Ashika Lucken, also put eThekwini Metro Deputy Head of Strategic and New Developments Robert Abbu, at the center of the multimillion-rand scandal.
The three are accused of using political position to influence the awarding of a Durban Solid Waste (DSW) contract.
Among others, they face charges of breaching sections of the Municipal Finance Management Act, Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act, Prevention of Organised Crime Act and the Local Government Municipal Services Act.
“Gumede and Mthembu played a major role in the award of the contract to the four suppliers. Collective evidence obtained indicates that Abbu, Gumede and Mthembu and the four suppliers conspired during the period that the process related to the appointment was processed,” Mphaki’s affidavit read.
How did they allegedly do it?
According to Mphaki, DSW allegedly appointed service providers to collect refuse in eThekwini for three years.
The contract was expiring in or around 2016, and the Supply Chain Management (SCM) process to appoint suppliers for a new term was to commence at least a year before the expiry of the existing contract.
Abbu allegedly circumvented normal procedure by using the “Section 36 clause” – a clause that allows certain decision to be taken due to an emergency.
He restricted invitations of quotations to four suppliers including Ilanga La Mahlase Projects Pty Ltd, Omphile Thabang Projects and El Shaddai Holdings Groups CC.
Mphaki said he then divided the scope of work that was undertaken by 27 contractors and recommended it be performed by four suppliers.
“He also amended the scope of the original tender to include a line item in respect of illegal dumping, with no limit amount to what the four suppliers could claim from eThekwini. The annual budget for eThekwini illegal dumping was R5m,” the affidavit said.
Mphaki said he facilitated and processed recommendations that the four suppliers be awarded the contract for refuse collection for a period of three months, at a cost of R45m, with an unlimited budget for illegal dumping.
“Illegal dumping was then used by the four suppliers to bill eThekwini with impunity, to the extent that more than R130m in six months was billed, despite having approved R5m for illegal dumping and a total budget of R45m for the entire refuse collection contract.”
Corruption and intimidation
Mphaki said he obtained evidence indicating that Gumede influenced the appointment of senior personnel at the components of eThekwini responsible for SCM, legal and human resources using her political status.
He said head of the City’s integrity and investigation unit (CIIU) highlighted political interference from Gumede and Mthembu on various occasions.
They did so by influencing the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), the Executive Committee (Exco), as well as the Auditor General (AG).
Mphaki also said Gumede would instruct the Bid Specification Committee (BSC), Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC) and the Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) – mayors are not allowed to be involved in tender specification processes.
“The SCM committees remain dysfunctional, as they continue to be directed by Mayor Gumede and Councillor Mthembu in their operational functions.”
Mthembu also summoned the four suppliers to City Hall, where he instructed them to sub-contract their illegal dumping portion of the contract to other suppliers
“This amounts to councillor Mthembu approving an award of a sub-contractor without following the SCM protocol, as well as him as a councillor descending into the SCM arena.”
He added that, in April 2019, Gumede incited a march to City Hall to request the removal of the city manager on the grounds that he refused to take orders from her to make irregular payments in respect of the DSW tender.
He said there was evidence that Gumede and Mthembu orchestrated the march.
Bail was set at R50 000. The case will resume on August 8.
CATALOGUE TEAM LEAD in Cape Town | Other Professions | Job Mail | 4439467
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Desired Experience & Qualification RESPONSIBILITIES: Management of a team that is responsible for the catalogue data in defined product categories – quality checking and upload of new catalogue listings and editing of existing catalogue listings across both Retail and Marketplace listings. Development and implementation of an appropriate training & skills development plan Management and resolution of all escalations in the team. Ownership of the initial debugging of data quality issues and appropriate escalation to ensure immediate resolutions where possible. You will have a team of between 10-15 Catalogue Agents. Package & Remuneration MUST HAVE REQUIREMENTS: Matric Relevant tertiary qualification is a significant advantage. 2+ years’ experience in managing a team against defined target metrics. 5+ years’ experience in a data-focused operational environment. e-commerce experience is a plus Self-guided learner with a keen interest in data science/quality. Strong data analysis skills and able to use data to make decisions. Ability to motivate and effectively manage a team and align on business strategy. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to collaborate with diverse teams Data science exposure in a retail or e-commerce environment is a plus. Interested? If you are a match for this position, please REPLY with your CV (updated & detailed) and your current CTC salary per month to priscilla@mhgroup.co.za
EXPERIENCED INTERNAL SALES CONSULTANT in Durban North | Client Services/Sales Support | Job Mail | 4439437
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EXPERIENCED INTERNAL SALES CONSULTANT DURBAN BASED CANDIDATES ONLY NEED APPLY. The ideal candidate must have at least 2yrs+internal sales experience and be fully computer literate. Be good with clients and accurate with administration duties and reception. Be fully computer literate. MUST HAVE NO NOTICE PERIOD PLEASE,POSITION URGENT!!!!!!!!!!! Young experienced & vibrant is the key to securing this position. EMAIL DETAILED CV TO lilian@unificationrecruitment.co.za
Pretoria, Tuesday, 14 May 2019 – Two former SARS Customs auditors were sentenced to three years direct imprisonment for corruption in Durban last week, 9 May 2019.
Pranesh Maharaj from La Mercy and Reuben Moodley from Newlands West were both caught red-handed with a cash bribe of R100 000 in a brown paper envelope in their pockets in a police operation in March 2018.
The two auditors acknowledged that they had issued a notice to a well-known KwaZulu-Natal businessman in February 2018, advising him of an imminent audit of companies where he was a director. During a follow-up meeting, they solicited a bribe of R200 000 from him “to make his tax problems disappear”.
Later the same day, Maharaj contacted the businessman, asking for an advance payment of R10 000, which was duly paid. Maharaj did not inform Moodley of this arrangement, nor shared the money with him.
The businessman, however, reported the matter to the police. A decision was taken to set up a police trap in terms of section 252A of the Criminal Procedures Act. The businessman provided the cash, which was divided into two envelopes, each containing R100 000.
The Police pounced on the accused as they were walking away, after the businessman handed them the envelopes in the parking lot of the Standard Bank, Kingsmead Branch on 2 March 2018, as was arranged between them.
The Durban Regional Court also sentenced the two auditors an additional two years imprisonment, conditionally suspended for five years. Maharaj offered to repay the R10 000 that was paid to him by the taxpayer.
Both employees resigned during a SARS disciplinary process on in August 2018.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter welcomed the sentence, adding that there is no place for dishonest employees at SARS.
“We have a zero tolerance for dishonesty and unlawfulness. As we forge ahead on a path of restoring a culture of integrity and service excellence in our institution, we would like to assure citizens that SARS will take harsh measures against employees who betray the public trust,” he said.
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Duties (will include but not limited to): Ensure departmental sales in line with budgets
Maximise selling via selling space, displays, layouts, commercial sales plans, demos, etc.
Ensure the delivery of a consistent customer shopping experience in line with the agreed service levels.
Manage Foods operational standards and ensure that controls are adhered to for in-store shrinkage, waste and stock accuracy.
Ensure timeous replenishment of stock
Implement and monitor all departmental activities
Manage Hot Foods Standards.
Manage accurate and timeous completion of daily Stores Foods processes.
Conduct weekly risk documentation
People management – staffing, performance management, training and development, employee relations. lenore@myfuturecareer.co.za
PRETORIA, Monday 13 May 2019 – During the early hours of yesterday morning, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs officers intercepted a female traveller attempting to smuggle 198.49 kg of crystal methamphetamine (meth), estimated at R2-million, into South Africa at the Beitbridge port of entry.
The incident happened when the female traveller with two luggage suitcases was asked to put her possessions through the Customs Baggage Inspection area. Upon physical inspection, an off-white crystal like substance concealed in multiple colourful decorated purses with plastics was found, containing substances that reacted positive to tests.
The goods were detained and handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for safe-keeping and further investigation, and the suspect was arrested. Preliminary investigations indicated that the traveller had flown from abroad into a neighbouring country, and tried to enter South Africa by bus through Beitbridge. Local police have since handed over the matter to the Hawks for much further investigation. The suspect is expected to appear at the Musina Magistrate Court still today.
The successful operation was the result of an ongoing cooperation between SARS and other port based law-enforcement agencies, which remain committed to protecting our borders and facilitating legitimate trade.
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Reporting to the General Manager, Maties Gymnasium- Stellenbosch, the incumbent will work as an individual in a team environment to drive the success of the Maties Gymnasium at the Tygerberg Campus and overall organisation. The incumbent will be expected to maintain a well-groomed, professional and business-like appearance at all times.
Duties:
General Management:
Providing leadership and management support to the staff (x3, excluding Group Exercise Instructors) at Maties Gymnasium;
Identifying shortcomings and providing training to staff to overcome these shortcomings, in line with the overall Maties Gymnasium training needs and requirements;
Monitoring and implementing current management systems to assist all staff to function optimally in their current positions;
Providing effective training to all staff to effectively deal with all customer queries, complaints and general conflict that might arise from time to time;
Active involvement in the recruitment, interviewing and placement of all staff at the Maties Gymnasium;
Ensuring that Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are developed, established and implemented within the Gymnasium in conjunction with the General Manager;
Implementing, managing and monitoring all financial and general administration systems;
Proactively communicating all gymnasium and equipment related matters to all members when needed;
Overseeing the general preventative and corrective maintenance of all gymnasium equipment as well as of the facility (premises);
Ensuring that the gymnasium is clean and hygienic at all times (including the change rooms);
Ensuring that the Gymnasium Standards document is completed on a monthly basis;
Ensuring that the Remedial Action Plan (RAP) is implemented.
Sales Administration:
Assisting the General Manager- Maties Gymnasium- Stellenbosch, in creating and establishing sales processes and procedures specific to the Maties Gymnasium Tygerberg Campus;
Proactively assisting in all marketing activities of the Gymnasium;
Managing and monitoring the successful implementation of all sales strategies;
Ensuring daily contract administration of all new sales;
Implementing strategies to retain members who intend to cancel their existing memberships;
Identifying possible causes for cancellation of memberships and implementing strategies to overcome these causes (retention);
Configuring daily, weekly and monthly statistical reports regarding sales, membership base and usage of the facility (including the aerobics classes).
Service:
Ability to conduct and give full gym tours to all prospective members;
Taking initiative in dealing with member queries and conflicts that may arise from time to time;
Ensuring that all queries are dealt with in a timeous and efficient manner;
Establishing positive relationships with all members, staff and suppliers.
Requirements:
Relevant tertiary qualification;
Five years’ experience in the sport/health/fitness industry, including experience with gym equipment, exercise benefits, physical and health assessments and the interpretation thereof;
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills;
Effective conflict management skills and techniques;
Proven ability to manage and lead a team;
Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
Good attention to detail;
Valid drivers licence and own transport.
Recommendations:
Five to seven years’ general work experience.
Closing date: 24 May 2019
Commencement of duties: 1 July 2019
Enquiries regarding the job content: Francois Kotze on 021 808 9133, or at
az.ca.nus@eztoksiocnarf
Enquiries regardingremuneration and benefits: Francois Kotze at
az.ca.nus@eztoksiocnarf
Enquiries regarding technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 808 2753
Maties Gymnasium reserves the right to extend the closing date if deemed appropriate and also not to make an appointment for this position. Applicants may be subjected to appropriate psychometric testing and other selection instruments.
Maties Gymnasium reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Your application, comprising of a comprehensive curriculum vitae, must reach the University before or on the closing date.
