After Israel & Turkey, South Africa has offered to mediate in the Ukraine Conflict. But South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has blamed the crisis on NATO'S expansion. How then can the country broker peace? Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: Ukraine Conflict: South Africa, Israel and Turkey offer mediation

Four Bengal tigers that for the last 15 years had been living in an enclosure have found a new home, they originally were a part of a traveling circus in Argentina and this is their story, take a look.

Bengal tigers rescued from Argentina, gets a new home in South Africa

The aviation regulator has clamped down on Comair. South African airline Comair's entire fleet has been grounded, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

South African airline Comair's fleet grounded: Hundreds of passengers stranded

India thrashed Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series opener, in Mohali, to win by an innings and 222 runs. Despite the big win, Rohit Sharma's Team India is at the fourth position in the points table of the ongoing second World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.&nbsp;

Following the Mohali Test win, India's percentage points have improved (54.16) but they still have a lot to do if they need to qualify for the WTC final. Australia&nbsp;(77.77), Pakistan (66.66), Sri Lanka (66.66), and South Africa (60) are at the top four.&nbsp;India&nbsp;will play Sri Lanka in the second and final Test and then lock horns with&nbsp;England in their remaining one Test (away), Bangladesh in two Tests (away) before hosting Australia in a four-match series in the remainder of their second cycle.

Prior to the second Test versus the Lankans, former Indian opener-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra made a bold claim and predicted the finalists for the ongoing WTC cycle. Chopra feels defending champions Kane Williamson's New Zealand won't qualify whereas named two teams who can meet in the finale.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/if-kohli-rohit-bumrah-dont-play-ex-opener-on-dravid-co-fielding-2-different-playing-xis-in-tests-460229">If Kohli, Rohit &amp; Bumrah don't play...: Ex-opener on Dravid &amp; Co. fielding 2 different playing XIs in Tests</a>

“India need to get 100 percent points in the four-match series against Australia. You cannot draw, you have to win all four games,” Aakash said on his official YouTube channel.&nbsp;"We're likely to win against Sri Lanka 2-0. We have to play Bangladesh away, I'm confident we can win there. And the one one-off Test against England. We lost the series in South Africa, so it is not going to be easy," he asserted.

"They (New Zealand) have only 2 Tests remaining at home. They have drawn series against Bangladesh and South Africa. New Zealand won't qualify. Even if they win their remaining two Tests at home against Sri Lanka, they have two Tests away against Pakistan (and 3 against England). It is over for them, they won't qualify,”&nbsp;the former cricketer further opined.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mayank-or-gill-gavaskar-shares-his-pick-suggests-who-should-open-with-rohit-sharma-in-2nd-test-vs-sl-460551">Mayank or Gill: Gavaskar shares his pick, suggests who should open with Rohit Sharma in 2nd Test vs SL</a>

"I am not counting England, Bangladesh, West Indies, and I won't count New Zealand as well. I don't think Sri Lanka have a chance at qualification. I believe it will be between three teams -- Australia, India, and Pakistan. If Pakistan don't prepare such roads, there's a strong possibility of a Pakistan-Australia final," Chopra added. The veteran also named Dean Elgar-led South Africa as the dark horse and concluded by saying, "South Africa is a dark horse. If they beat Australia in Australia, England in England, they have a good chance. They will win at home, it is the away series that they have to focus on. So, they have a decent outside chance. But the frontrunners are Australia and Pakistan. I think that is going to be the final."

India thrashed Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series opener, in Mohali, to win by an innings and 222 runs. Despite the big win, Rohit Sharma's Team India is at the fourth position in the points table of the ongoing second World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

India thrashed Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series opener, in Mohali, to win by an innings and 222 runs. Despite the big win, Rohit Sharma's Team India is at the fourth position in the points table of the ongoing second World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Following the Mohali Test win, India's percentage points have improved (54.16) but they still have a lot to do if they need to qualify for the WTC final. Australia (77.77), Pakistan (66.66), Sri Lanka (66.66), and South Africa (60) are at the top four. India will play Sri Lanka in the second and final Test and then lock horns with England in their remaining one Test (away), Bangladesh in two Tests (away) before hosting Australia in a four-match series in the remainder of their second cycle. Prior to the second Test versus the Lankans, former Indian opener-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra made a bold claim and predicted the finalists for the ongoing WTC cycle. Chopra feels defending champions Kane Williamson's New Zealand won't qualify whereas named two teams who can meet in the finale. ALSO READ | If Kohli, Rohit & Bumrah don't play...: Ex-opener on Dravid & Co. fielding 2 different playing XIs in Tests “India need to get 100 percent points in the four-match series against Australia. You cannot draw, you have to win all four games,” Aakash said on his official YouTube channel. "We're likely to win against Sri Lanka 2-0. We have to play Bangladesh away, I'm confident we can win there. And the one one-off Test against England. We lost the series in South Africa, so it is not going to be easy," he asserted. "They (New Zealand) have only 2 Tests remaining at home. They have drawn series against Bangladesh and South Africa. New Zealand won't qualify. Even if they win their remaining two Tests at home against Sri Lanka, they have two Tests away against Pakistan (and 3 against England). It is over for them, they won't qualify,” the former cricketer further opined. ALSO READ | Mayank or Gill: Gavaskar shares his pick, suggests who should open with Rohit Sharma in 2nd Test vs SL "I am not counting England, Bangladesh, West Indies, and I won't count New Zealand as well. I don't think Sri Lanka have a chance at qualification. I believe it will be between three teams -- Australia, India, and Pakistan. If Pakistan don't prepare such roads, there's a strong possibility of a Pakistan-Australia final," Chopra added. The veteran also named Dean Elgar-led South Africa as the dark horse and concluded by saying, "South Africa is a dark horse. If they beat Australia in Australia, England in England, they have a good chance. They will win at home, it is the away series that they have to focus on. So, they have a decent outside chance. But the frontrunners are Australia and Pakistan. I think that is going to be the final."

WTC summit clash: Aakash Chopra rules out defending champions NZ's chances, predicts finalists

South Africa's Stephen Mokoka, who had never run a 50km race before, broke the world record on home soil in Gqeberha on Sunday.

Mokoka, 37, crossed the finish line in two hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds, beating the record set by Ethiopian Ketema Bekele Negasa (2:42:07) at the same event last year.

ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jadeja-ashwin-spin-india-to-thumping-win-by-an-innings-and-222-runs-in-1st-test-against-sri-lanka-459577">Jadeja, Ashwin spin India to thumping win by an innings and 222 runs in 1st Test against Sri Lanka</a>

"I'm tired," Mokoka, a three-times Olympian, said. "It's a long way and I don't know how I'm going to feel later, but I enjoyed it."

Ethiopia's Amelework Fikadu Bosho dominated the women's race to finish in a time of 3:04:58, nearly four minutes ahead of the rest but 34 seconds short of the world record.

South Africa's Stephen Mokoka, who had never run a 50km race before, broke the world record on home soil in Gqeberha on Sunday. Mokoka, 37, crossed the finish line in two hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds, beating the record set by Ethiopian Ketema Bekele Negasa (2:42:07) at the same event last year.

South Africa's Stephen Mokoka, who had never run a 50km race before, broke the world record on home soil in Gqeberha on Sunday. Mokoka, 37, crossed the finish line in two hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds, beating the record set by Ethiopian Ketema Bekele Negasa (2:42:07) at the same event last year. ALSO READ: Jadeja, Ashwin spin India to thumping win by an innings and 222 runs in 1st Test against Sri Lanka "I'm tired," Mokoka, a three-times Olympian, said. "It's a long way and I don't know how I'm going to feel later, but I enjoyed it." Ethiopia's Amelework Fikadu Bosho dominated the women's race to finish in a time of 3:04:58, nearly four minutes ahead of the rest but 34 seconds short of the world record.

South Africa's Stephen Mokoka creates history, breaks world record in first 50km race

The South African government on Friday granted annual hunting and export permits for dozens of big game, including 10 critically endangered black rhino and a similar number of leopards.

It also gave permission for dozens of elephants to be killed, in keeping with international laws on the trade of endangered species, saying its elephant population was growing and that fewer than 0.3 per cent are hunted each year.

Proceeds from government-approved annual hunting quotas go towards local marginalised and impoverished rural communities, where the hunts happen.

"A total of 10 black rhino may be hunted and 150 elephants," the forestry and environment ministry announced.

Black rhino are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as critically endangered. But numbers of black rhino in the wild have doubled to more than 5 000 from an historic low three decades ago.

The government said its allocated quota for rhino was based on population estimates "which show an increasing trend at present".

Poaching of white rhino reached crisis levels between 2014 and 2017 when a thousand were killed on average each year.

Those numbers dropped by half to 451 last year.

The animals are slaughtered for their horns, which are smuggled into Asia where they are mistakenly believed to have medicinal benefits.

The South African government said leopard hunts would be restricted to animals aged seven years and older, and allowed only in regions where the large cat populations were “stable or increasing”.

Hunting is big business in South Africa, bringing in around 1.4bn rand ($92m) in 2019, the government said.

Proceeds from government-approved annual hunting quotas go towards local marginalised and impoverished rural communities where the hunts happen.

The South African government on Friday granted annual hunting and export permits for dozens of big game, including 10 critically endangered black rhino and a similar number of leopards.

The South African government on Friday granted annual hunting and export permits for dozens of big game, including 10 critically endangered black rhino and a similar number of leopards. It also gave permission for dozens of elephants to be killed, in keeping with international laws on the trade of endangered species, saying its elephant population was growing and that fewer than 0.3 per cent are hunted each year. Proceeds from government-approved annual hunting quotas go towards local marginalised and impoverished rural communities, where the hunts happen. "A total of 10 black rhino may be hunted and 150 elephants," the forestry and environment ministry announced. Black rhino are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as critically endangered. But numbers of black rhino in the wild have doubled to more than 5 000 from an historic low three decades ago. The government said its allocated quota for rhino was based on population estimates "which show an increasing trend at present". Poaching of white rhino reached crisis levels between 2014 and 2017 when a thousand were killed on average each year. Those numbers dropped by half to 451 last year. The animals are slaughtered for their horns, which are smuggled into Asia where they are mistakenly believed to have medicinal benefits. The South African government said leopard hunts would be restricted to animals aged seven years and older, and allowed only in regions where the large cat populations were “stable or increasing”. Hunting is big business in South Africa, bringing in around 1.4bn rand ($92m) in 2019, the government said. Proceeds from government-approved annual hunting quotas go towards local marginalised and impoverished rural communities where the hunts happen.

South Africa announces hunting permits for rhino, leopards

Scores of protesters have been staging protests against “illegal migrants”. Members protested in what they called “Operation Dudula”.

Protest in South Africa against ‘illegal’ migrant workers

They turned up in a mob of several hundred at a migrant centre in South Africa's Soweto township -- unemployed, wielding weapons and angry with foreigners they accuse of taking their jobs.

"Foreigners, go home," they cried, according to witnesses.

With unemployment at 35 percent -- and rising up to 65 percent among youth -- competition for jobs has spawned resentment among some jobless South Africans.

In the past, xenophobic protests have morphed into violence. Attacks against foreigners left at least 62 people dead in 2008, while another seven were killed in similar unrest in 2015.

Armed mobs descended on foreign-owned businesses around the financial hub Johannesburg in 2019. The ensuing clashes left at least 12 people dead, of whom 10 were South African, according to the government.

In recent weeks, scores of protesters have been staging demonstrations against undocumented migrants in what they have dubbed Operation Dudula, Zulu for "drive back". 
At the Methodist migrant community centre in Soweto, where about 100 migrant families live, there had been rumours of an attack.

A horde arrived earlier this month -- some wielding traditional Zulu leather whips -- at the centre in South Africa's most famous township, located south of Johannesburg.&nbsp;

"Foreign nationals are stealing jobs that belong to South Africans," protesters said, according to witnesses.

'Thought was going to die'

Sithulisiwe Chinora, a 22-year-old Zimbabwean, recounted how she started shaking violently, her infant wrapped on her back.

"I thought I was going to die that day," she said.

Father Paul Verryn, who founded the centre, says it is clear who the protesters were.

"They are xenophobic activists, they clearly targeted foreign nationals because they want them out," said the minister, who is famous for having opened a church in&nbsp; 
Johannesburg to thousands of undocumented Zimbabweans after the first anti-immigration attacks.

But the Operation Dudula movement says it is pacifist.

Its leader Nhlanhla Lux Dlamini, a man in his thirties from Soweto who often dresses in a military uniform and bullet-proof vest, says he is simply seeking to "restore law and order".

"The law enforcement is failing us," he has told reporters.

On Saturday, Dlamini was among some 2,000 people protesting in Johannesburg's inner-city suburb of Hillbrow.

Among the crowd, Bhekani Thusi, 38, was one of those who said they were "tired of foreigners".

"We are here to claim our land back. Our space is occupied by foreigners," he said.

Foreign worker quota?

Last weekend, the same movement held a protest outside a supermarket demanding the sacking of foreign workers employed there.

"There is (nothing) xenophobic about that, it's the law," he told journalists. "Any job that doesn't require skill in South Africa belongs to South Africans."

Around 3.9 million foreigners live in South Africa, a country of almost 60 million, including political refugees, according to official statistics.

Human Rights Watch says foreigners are often made scapegoats in a country with one of the world's most unequal societies.

Jay Naidoo, a founding member of the Cosatu workers' union, said anti-immigrant arguments did not hold up.

"Even if they were to expel all the immigrants, our level of crime would not drop, neither our level of joblessness," he said.

So far, the latest demonstrations have not spiralled into violence.

A police source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said law enforcement was keeping an eye on the demonstrations.

But "the right to protest is enshrined in the country's constitution and so far, they haven't committed any action that required the police to enforce the law," the source said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday the authorities were closely watching "pockets of groupings that are trying to foment a type of negative attitudes" towards foreigners.

At the start of the month, the government said it was working on a law to install a quota for foreign workers in South African companies.

They turned up in a mob of several hundred at a migrant centre in South Africa's Soweto township -- unemployed, wielding weapons and angry with foreigners they accuse of taking their jobs.

They turned up in a mob of several hundred at a migrant centre in South Africa's Soweto township -- unemployed, wielding weapons and angry with foreigners they accuse of taking their jobs. "Foreigners, go home," they cried, according to witnesses. With unemployment at 35 percent -- and rising up to 65 percent among youth -- competition for jobs has spawned resentment among some jobless South Africans. In the past, xenophobic protests have morphed into violence. Attacks against foreigners left at least 62 people dead in 2008, while another seven were killed in similar unrest in 2015. Armed mobs descended on foreign-owned businesses around the financial hub Johannesburg in 2019. The ensuing clashes left at least 12 people dead, of whom 10 were South African, according to the government. In recent weeks, scores of protesters have been staging demonstrations against undocumented migrants in what they have dubbed Operation Dudula, Zulu for "drive back". At the Methodist migrant community centre in Soweto, where about 100 migrant families live, there had been rumours of an attack. A horde arrived earlier this month -- some wielding traditional Zulu leather whips -- at the centre in South Africa's most famous township, located south of Johannesburg. "Foreign nationals are stealing jobs that belong to South Africans," protesters said, according to witnesses. 'Thought was going to die' Sithulisiwe Chinora, a 22-year-old Zimbabwean, recounted how she started shaking violently, her infant wrapped on her back. "I thought I was going to die that day," she said. Father Paul Verryn, who founded the centre, says it is clear who the protesters were. "They are xenophobic activists, they clearly targeted foreign nationals because they want them out," said the minister, who is famous for having opened a church in Johannesburg to thousands of undocumented Zimbabweans after the first anti-immigration attacks. But the Operation Dudula movement says it is pacifist. Its leader Nhlanhla Lux Dlamini, a man in his thirties from Soweto who often dresses in a military uniform and bullet-proof vest, says he is simply seeking to "restore law and order". "The law enforcement is failing us," he has told reporters. On Saturday, Dlamini was among some 2,000 people protesting in Johannesburg's inner-city suburb of Hillbrow. Among the crowd, Bhekani Thusi, 38, was one of those who said they were "tired of foreigners". "We are here to claim our land back. Our space is occupied by foreigners," he said. Foreign worker quota? Last weekend, the same movement held a protest outside a supermarket demanding the sacking of foreign workers employed there. "There is (nothing) xenophobic about that, it's the law," he told journalists. "Any job that doesn't require skill in South Africa belongs to South Africans." Around 3.9 million foreigners live in South Africa, a country of almost 60 million, including political refugees, according to official statistics. Human Rights Watch says foreigners are often made scapegoats in a country with one of the world's most unequal societies. Jay Naidoo, a founding member of the Cosatu workers' union, said anti-immigrant arguments did not hold up. "Even if they were to expel all the immigrants, our level of crime would not drop, neither our level of joblessness," he said. So far, the latest demonstrations have not spiralled into violence. A police source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said law enforcement was keeping an eye on the demonstrations. But "the right to protest is enshrined in the country's constitution and so far, they haven't committed any action that required the police to enforce the law," the source said. President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday the authorities were closely watching "pockets of groupings that are trying to foment a type of negative attitudes" towards foreigners. At the start of the month, the government said it was working on a law to install a quota for foreign workers in South African companies.

'Go home': Protests against foreigners resurface in South Africa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, with rising security concerns, corruption, unemployment as key focus. Ramaphosa will deliver the annual speech from Cape Town's city hall.

South African Prez to address nation; employment, economic recovery as key focus

South Africa captain Dean Elgar says friendships will be put aside when they come up against in-form New Zealand batsman Devan Conway in the first of two tests at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Feb. 17.

Johannesburg-born Conway made his test bow against England at Lords last year and has been in sensational form since, with three hundreds and two fifties in his nine innings to date. That includes a double ton on debut.

Many of the touring South Africans have played with and against Conway in the country’s domestic cricket, so are well aware of his qualities.

"He is playing with a different badge on his chest now and has had a great start to test cricket. His numbers speak volumes and he is in a massive purple-patch," Elgar told reporters on Thursday.

ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/new-zealand-skipper-kane-williamson-ruled-out-of-south-africa-series-due-to-long-standing-elbow-injury-451331">New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson ruled out of South Africa series due to long-standing elbow injury</a>

"But we don’t see him as a South African guy anymore, he is living here and playing for another country."

"I am sure there will be some friendly chats off the field because a lot of guys know him and played with him and against him. But once match-day comes and you walk over that white line, it is all business, irrespective if he is your friend or not."

The South African side have begun to practice for a few hours each day having all returned negative COVID-19 results in the first three rounds of testing since their arrival in the country.

Elgar says they are thankful for the discussions between the respective cricket boards and New Zealand government to ease restrictions and "make life bearable".

"It is impossible to get guys to come and tour here if you are doing a straight 10 days where you can’t leave your room, basically living in jail without the opportunity to go outside and get some fresh air, practice or gym," Elgar says.

&nbsp;ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/english-born-wicketkeeper-batsman-josh-inglis-set-for-australia-debut-against-sri-lanka-451966">English-born wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis set for Australia debut against Sri Lanka</a>

"They have tried their utmost to make life bearable for us knowing that doing 10 days straight is absolutely not human for cricketers, let alone citizens.

"We do want to be here and play against New Zealand, no doubt, but you also have to meet the touring team halfway."

South Africa captain Dean Elgar says friendships will be put aside when they come up against in-form New Zealand batsman Devan Conway in the first of two tests at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Feb.

South Africa captain Dean Elgar says friendships will be put aside when they come up against in-form New Zealand batsman Devan Conway in the first of two tests at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Feb. 17. Johannesburg-born Conway made his test bow against England at Lords last year and has been in sensational form since, with three hundreds and two fifties in his nine innings to date. That includes a double ton on debut. Many of the touring South Africans have played with and against Conway in the country’s domestic cricket, so are well aware of his qualities. "He is playing with a different badge on his chest now and has had a great start to test cricket. His numbers speak volumes and he is in a massive purple-patch," Elgar told reporters on Thursday. ALSO READ: New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson ruled out of South Africa series due to long-standing elbow injury "But we don’t see him as a South African guy anymore, he is living here and playing for another country." "I am sure there will be some friendly chats off the field because a lot of guys know him and played with him and against him. But once match-day comes and you walk over that white line, it is all business, irrespective if he is your friend or not." The South African side have begun to practice for a few hours each day having all returned negative COVID-19 results in the first three rounds of testing since their arrival in the country. Elgar says they are thankful for the discussions between the respective cricket boards and New Zealand government to ease restrictions and "make life bearable". "It is impossible to get guys to come and tour here if you are doing a straight 10 days where you can’t leave your room, basically living in jail without the opportunity to go outside and get some fresh air, practice or gym," Elgar says. ALSO READ: English-born wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis set for Australia debut against Sri Lanka "They have tried their utmost to make life bearable for us knowing that doing 10 days straight is absolutely not human for cricketers, let alone citizens. "We do want to be here and play against New Zealand, no doubt, but you also have to meet the touring team halfway."

'We don’t see him as a South African guy anymore': South Africa captain Dean Elgar on Devon Conway

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Wednesday announced the finalized dates and venues for the Proteas men`s inbound tour against Bangladesh.

The tour will consist of three ODIs and two Tests across four venues from March 18 to April 12, 2022." SuperSport Park, Centurion will host two of the ODI matches, with the third taken by the Wanderers, Johannesburg while the coastal cities of Durban and Gqeberha will take on the Test fixtures," stated CSA in an official release.

The tour is of great significance for the hosts, as both series count for vital points in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League and the ICC World Test Championship.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/icc-player-of-the-month-brewis-keegan-petersen-and-ebadot-hossain-nominated-for-january-2022-451433">ICC Player of the Month: Brewis, Keegan Petersen and Ebadot Hossain nominated for January 2022</a>

Fixtures:

1st ODI-- March 18 -- SuperSport Park, Centurion

2nd ODI -- March 20 -- Wanderers, Johannerburg

3rd ODI -- March 23 -- SuperSport Park, Centurion

1st Test: March 31-April 4 -- Kingsmead, Durban

2nd Test: April 8-12 -- St. George`s Park Cricket Ground, Gqeberha.

&nbsp;

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Wednesday announced the finalized dates and venues for the Proteas men`s inbound tour against Bangladesh. The tour will consist of three ODIs and two Tests across four venues from March 18 to April 12, 2022.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Wednesday announced the finalized dates and venues for the Proteas men`s inbound tour against Bangladesh. The tour will consist of three ODIs and two Tests across four venues from March 18 to April 12, 2022." SuperSport Park, Centurion will host two of the ODI matches, with the third taken by the Wanderers, Johannesburg while the coastal cities of Durban and Gqeberha will take on the Test fixtures," stated CSA in an official release. The tour is of great significance for the hosts, as both series count for vital points in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League and the ICC World Test Championship. ALSO READ: ICC Player of the Month: Brewis, Keegan Petersen and Ebadot Hossain nominated for January 2022 Fixtures: 1st ODI-- March 18 -- SuperSport Park, Centurion 2nd ODI -- March 20 -- Wanderers, Johannerburg 3rd ODI -- March 23 -- SuperSport Park, Centurion 1st Test: March 31-April 4 -- Kingsmead, Durban 2nd Test: April 8-12 -- St. George`s Park Cricket Ground, Gqeberha.

South Africa to host Bangladesh for three ODIs, two Tests in March-April

A report into last year's unrest in South Africa has revealed that the country's police and intelligence services failed to anticipate the violence that was sparked by the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma for defying a court order to testify at a corruption inquiry, here's our report.

Report: Police failed to foresee unrest in South Africa

South Africa Test skipper Dean Elgar said that the Proteas are supporting their coach Mark Boucher, who is going through the allegations of misconduct.

The disciplinary hearing into allegations of misconduct against Mark Boucher has been postponed to May 16-20 as the coach wants to call some players on his behalf and these players will be part of the Tour of New Zealand and Bangladesh Tour of South Africa.

"We`ve realised cricket comes first for us irrespective of what our head coach is going through but we are still supporting him through this process because we know how much value he adds to our system and our group," said Elgar as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

"We`ve had these tough times before. We need to stick together, which we`ve done in the past, and let this process follow its course. We know we are there to play cricket; we are there to win matches, win series and that`s ultimately the way I view it.

Read Also |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/india-vs-west-indies-covid-19-scares-rohit-sharma-led-indian-camp-before-windies-odis-450056">India vs West Indies: COVID-19 scares Rohit Sharma-led Indian camp before Windies ODIs</a>

In the same breath, we are still supporting our head coach because he is a massive part of our group," he added.

The skipper further said that the disciplinary hearing will take it`s own time and he has got no knowledge of the players who will be testifying.

"We had a feeling it might come to this point where players might be asked to testify in the hearing and so be it. It`s a natural process that will take place and we will cover those grounds within the next month. We have some time until May to establish some concrete ground for players," said the skipper.

"I`m sure our player representative board will come into play to assist us through this process if players are asked to testify. I haven`t heard who and when the players will be to fulfil these requests," he added.

South Africa Test skipper Dean Elgar said that the Proteas are supporting their coach Mark Boucher, who is going through the allegations of misconduct. The disciplinary hearing into allegations of misconduct against Mark Boucher has been postponed to May 16-20 as the coach wants to call some players on his behalf and these players will be part of the Tour of New Zealand and Bangladesh Tour of South Africa.

South Africa Test skipper Dean Elgar said that the Proteas are supporting their coach Mark Boucher, who is going through the allegations of misconduct. The disciplinary hearing into allegations of misconduct against Mark Boucher has been postponed to May 16-20 as the coach wants to call some players on his behalf and these players will be part of the Tour of New Zealand and Bangladesh Tour of South Africa. "We`ve realised cricket comes first for us irrespective of what our head coach is going through but we are still supporting him through this process because we know how much value he adds to our system and our group," said Elgar as reported by ESPNcricinfo. "We`ve had these tough times before. We need to stick together, which we`ve done in the past, and let this process follow its course. We know we are there to play cricket; we are there to win matches, win series and that`s ultimately the way I view it. Read Also | India vs West Indies: COVID-19 scares Rohit Sharma-led Indian camp before Windies ODIs In the same breath, we are still supporting our head coach because he is a massive part of our group," he added. The skipper further said that the disciplinary hearing will take it`s own time and he has got no knowledge of the players who will be testifying. "We had a feeling it might come to this point where players might be asked to testify in the hearing and so be it. It`s a natural process that will take place and we will cover those grounds within the next month. We have some time until May to establish some concrete ground for players," said the skipper. "I`m sure our player representative board will come into play to assist us through this process if players are asked to testify. I haven`t heard who and when the players will be to fulfil these requests," he added.

We need to stick together, says Dean Elgar on Mark Boucher's hearing into allegations of misconduct

A special Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, has approved changes to the adjusted alert Level 1 Covid-19 regulations in South Africa. This follows meetings of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC) which received updates on the management of Covid-19 in South Africa.

South Africa approves changes to adjusted alert Level 1 Covid-19 regulations

More than 100 rapes reported every day while one woman is murdered every three hours in South Africa as the country battles a "second pandemic".

High levels of violence against women in South Africa

Scientists in Wuhan have flagged a deadlier coronavirus found in bats from South Africa. They say the virus is one mutation away from infecting humans. Its mortality rate is around 33%. Palki Sharma tells you how the world must respond.

Gravitas: Wuhan scientists flag deadlier coronavirus

The death toll from tropical storm Ana that struck southern African rose to 77 as emergency teams battled to repair damaged infrastructure and help tens of thousands of victims.

Death toll from tropical storm Ana in southern Africa rises to 77

Pics: Tropical storm Ana batters South African countries, wreaking havoc and killing over 80 people

Frank Dutton, whose investigations into some of the biggest criminal cases in South African history, from apartheid-era hit squads to more recent high-level government corruption, earned him a reputation as his country’s greatest police detective, died Jan. 20 at a hospital in Hillcrest, South Africa. He was 72.

Howard Varney, a longtime friend and colleague, said the cause was a heart attack following a stroke a few days before.

Dutton came to prominence in the early 1990s, a fraught moment between the 1990 release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the 1994 multiracial elections that elevated him to the presidency and officially brought apartheid to a close.

Dutton, who was white, and his colleague, Lwandle Wilson Magadla, who was Black, were working on a separate case when they uncovered evidence related to the 1988 killing of 11 Black South Africans in Trust Feed, a town in the province of KwaZulu Natal.

Trust Feed was dominated by the Inkatha Freedom Party, a Black activist organization. Initial investigations into the massacre had placed the blame on Inkatha’s rival, the African National Congress, and despite glaring failures by the police — they never interviewed two survivors, for example — a judge had ruled the case closed.

But Dutton and Magadla were convinced that the truth was something far worse: that the murders had been a false-flag operation carried out by a police hit squad in an effort to drive a wedge between the two parties.

“At first I simply did not believe that the police were involved,” Dutton told the British newspaper The Independent in 2000. “I was a loyal party man. But slowly the scales fell from my eyes, and I began to see what the police were really doing.”

The two meticulously unearthed the cover up — identifying false entries in logbooks, interviewing survivors and tracking down two of the men who had participated in the killing — even in the face of official intransigence and death threats.

The ensuing trial, in 1992, was the first to reveal the role of senior officials in police violence against the anti-apartheid movement. Uncovering the full scope of the government’s campaign became Dutton’s life work.

During the 1980s, anti-apartheid activists had often spoken of a so-called third force in South Africa’s law enforcement system, a network of saboteurs, spies, assassins and hit squads that operated outside the law but under the control of the top police authorities. The government denied everything, insisting that it was mere conspiracy-mongering. The Trust Feed case convinced Dutton that the activists were right.

In 1992, he became a lead investigator for the Goldstone Commission, an effort led by Richard Goldstone, a South African judge, to uncover apartheid-era political violence. Dutton soon discovered not just a few bad apples but an entire rotting orchard — top-level police and military officials, sometimes in league with members of the Inkatha Freedom Party, who organized hit squads and espionage campaigns against the African National Congress.

Among other cases, his investigations led to the conviction of Eugene de Kock, a police colonel who during the 1980s oversaw a unit that hunted and killed Black activists.

Dutton continued his work under Mandela, who hired him in 1994 to lead an elite squad of detectives and prosecutors called the Investigation Task Unit, charged with rooting out the remnants of the apartheid state that, even then, were still engaged in anti-Black violence.

Once again, he revealed involvement at the very top, in this case Gen. Magnus Malan, a former minister of defense, who had led a campaign to foment Black-on-Black violence, including the 1987 murder of 13 people in the town of KwaMakhutha.

Despite overwhelming evidence of their guilt, Malan and 19 other senior government leaders were acquitted. The case was roundly seen as a failure of post-apartheid justice, but the mounds of evidence assembled by Dutton and his team did not go to waste. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was established in 1996 to gather testimony about the apartheid era, used it to demonstrate the extent to which the white supremacist government was willing to go to maintain control.

Dutton did more than exhume the past. In the face of mounting crime, President Thabo Mbeki, Mandela’s successor, hired him in 1999 to run a new agency, the Directorate of Special Operations, nicknamed the Scorpions.

Like the Investigation Task Unit, the Scorpions were elite and untouchable. Dutton insisted that applicants have a university degree and be fluent in four of South Africa’s 11 official languages. He also insisted that they operate outside the federal police structure, reporting directly to the national director of public prosecutions. A few months after its founding, the Scorpions scored a $29 million drug bust.

By then Dutton was something of a celebrity in South Africa. He often drew comparisons with a long list of crime fighters, real and fictional: Eliot Ness for his unimpeachability, Frank Serpico for his willingness to take on crooked cops, and the television detective Columbo for his casual, sometimes disheveled demeanor that put witnesses at ease and threw adversaries off their game.

“He was seen as one of the few honest cops with courage and dedication to justice and getting the job done,” said Varney, who as a human rights lawyer worked closely with Dutton. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s the finest detective that this country has ever produced.”

The South African government agreed. In 2012, Dutton and Magadla, who died the year before, received the Order of the Baobab in Gold, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Frank Kennan Dutton was born on May 20, 1949, in Bela-Bela, a town about two hours north of Johannesburg, the son of Terry and Dorothy Dutton.

He is survived by his wife, Vanessa; his brothers Tub and Robin; a sister, Polly; a daughter, Sally Ackerman; two sons, Paul and Brian; and seven grandchildren.

(STORY CAN END HERE. OPTIONAL MATERIAL FOLLOWS.)

Dutton attended Boys’ Town, a school for troubled youth, in Magaliesburg, on the western outskirts of Johannesburg, and joined South Africa’s national police force in 1966. After a year of police college in Pretoria, he was deployed to Natal province (known today as KwaZulu Natal).

Early on he developed a reputation as an assiduous cop unafraid to butt heads with an insular, self-protective leadership. He also stood out for his willingness to partner with Black officers, even in the face of overt discrimination: When he and Magadla went out of town on assignment, they would often sleep in a jail cell, for lack of a hotel that would accommodate both of them.

He later applied his investigative skills internationally. When Goldstone was placed in charge of the United Nations’ investigation into war crimes in the former Yugoslavia in the late 1990s, he brought Dutton along — first, to examine mass graves in Bosnia, then as the lead investigator across the entire region.

After retiring from the police in 2003, Dutton worked as a consultant for the United Nations, a job that took him around the world, investigating sexual abuse in the Congo, human rights violations in East Timor and police corruption in the Seychelles.

In the 2010s, he joined Varney and a small team of lawyers, human rights activists and other investigators to reopen apartheid-era cold cases in which activists had died in police custody, their deaths officially ruled suicides.

The first case involved Ahmed Timol, a communist and ANC member who died in 1971 after falling from a high floor of the main Johannesburg police station. A judge said he died by suicide, despite evidence that he had been tortured. Thanks to Dutton’s work, the case was reopened, and in 2017 another judge ruled it a homicide by the police.

The next year, Dutton returned to investigating government corruption under former President Jacob Zuma as a part of the so-called Zondo Commission. At his death he was preparing to lead an investigation into the commission’s findings.

He was also awaiting a ruling in another high-profile apartheid-era cold case, involving the supposed suicide of Neil Aggett, a doctor and labor activist, in police custody in 1982. His death galvanized the anti-apartheid movement and helped set in motion a wave of activism in the 1980s. The ruling is expected in the coming weeks.

Frank Dutton, whose investigations into some of the biggest criminal cases in South African history, from apartheid-era hit squads to more recent high-level government corruption, earned him a reputation as his country’s greatest police detective, died Jan.

Frank Dutton, whose investigations into some of the biggest criminal cases in South African history, from apartheid-era hit squads to more recent high-level government corruption, earned him a reputation as his country’s greatest police detective, died Jan. 20 at a hospital in Hillcrest, South Africa. He was 72. Howard Varney, a longtime friend and colleague, said the cause was a heart attack following a stroke a few days before. Dutton came to prominence in the early 1990s, a fraught moment between the 1990 release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the 1994 multiracial elections that elevated him to the presidency and officially brought apartheid to a close. Dutton, who was white, and his colleague, Lwandle Wilson Magadla, who was Black, were working on a separate case when they uncovered evidence related to the 1988 killing of 11 Black South Africans in Trust Feed, a town in the province of KwaZulu Natal. Trust Feed was dominated by the Inkatha Freedom Party, a Black activist organization. Initial investigations into the massacre had placed the blame on Inkatha’s rival, the African National Congress, and despite glaring failures by the police — they never interviewed two survivors, for example — a judge had ruled the case closed. But Dutton and Magadla were convinced that the truth was something far worse: that the murders had been a false-flag operation carried out by a police hit squad in an effort to drive a wedge between the two parties. “At first I simply did not believe that the police were involved,” Dutton told the British newspaper The Independent in 2000. “I was a loyal party man. But slowly the scales fell from my eyes, and I began to see what the police were really doing.” The two meticulously unearthed the cover up — identifying false entries in logbooks, interviewing survivors and tracking down two of the men who had participated in the killing — even in the face of official intransigence and death threats. The ensuing trial, in 1992, was the first to reveal the role of senior officials in police violence against the anti-apartheid movement. Uncovering the full scope of the government’s campaign became Dutton’s life work. During the 1980s, anti-apartheid activists had often spoken of a so-called third force in South Africa’s law enforcement system, a network of saboteurs, spies, assassins and hit squads that operated outside the law but under the control of the top police authorities. The government denied everything, insisting that it was mere conspiracy-mongering. The Trust Feed case convinced Dutton that the activists were right. In 1992, he became a lead investigator for the Goldstone Commission, an effort led by Richard Goldstone, a South African judge, to uncover apartheid-era political violence. Dutton soon discovered not just a few bad apples but an entire rotting orchard — top-level police and military officials, sometimes in league with members of the Inkatha Freedom Party, who organized hit squads and espionage campaigns against the African National Congress. Among other cases, his investigations led to the conviction of Eugene de Kock, a police colonel who during the 1980s oversaw a unit that hunted and killed Black activists. Dutton continued his work under Mandela, who hired him in 1994 to lead an elite squad of detectives and prosecutors called the Investigation Task Unit, charged with rooting out the remnants of the apartheid state that, even then, were still engaged in anti-Black violence. Once again, he revealed involvement at the very top, in this case Gen. Magnus Malan, a former minister of defense, who had led a campaign to foment Black-on-Black violence, including the 1987 murder of 13 people in the town of KwaMakhutha. Despite overwhelming evidence of their guilt, Malan and 19 other senior government leaders were acquitted. The case was roundly seen as a failure of post-apartheid justice, but the mounds of evidence assembled by Dutton and his team did not go to waste. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was established in 1996 to gather testimony about the apartheid era, used it to demonstrate the extent to which the white supremacist government was willing to go to maintain control. Dutton did more than exhume the past. In the face of mounting crime, President Thabo Mbeki, Mandela’s successor, hired him in 1999 to run a new agency, the Directorate of Special Operations, nicknamed the Scorpions. Like the Investigation Task Unit, the Scorpions were elite and untouchable. Dutton insisted that applicants have a university degree and be fluent in four of South Africa’s 11 official languages. He also insisted that they operate outside the federal police structure, reporting directly to the national director of public prosecutions. A few months after its founding, the Scorpions scored a $29 million drug bust. By then Dutton was something of a celebrity in South Africa. He often drew comparisons with a long list of crime fighters, real and fictional: Eliot Ness for his unimpeachability, Frank Serpico for his willingness to take on crooked cops, and the television detective Columbo for his casual, sometimes disheveled demeanor that put witnesses at ease and threw adversaries off their game. “He was seen as one of the few honest cops with courage and dedication to justice and getting the job done,” said Varney, who as a human rights lawyer worked closely with Dutton. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s the finest detective that this country has ever produced.” The South African government agreed. In 2012, Dutton and Magadla, who died the year before, received the Order of the Baobab in Gold, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Frank Kennan Dutton was born on May 20, 1949, in Bela-Bela, a town about two hours north of Johannesburg, the son of Terry and Dorothy Dutton. He is survived by his wife, Vanessa; his brothers Tub and Robin; a sister, Polly; a daughter, Sally Ackerman; two sons, Paul and Brian; and seven grandchildren. (STORY CAN END HERE. OPTIONAL MATERIAL FOLLOWS.) Dutton attended Boys’ Town, a school for troubled youth, in Magaliesburg, on the western outskirts of Johannesburg, and joined South Africa’s national police force in 1966. After a year of police college in Pretoria, he was deployed to Natal province (known today as KwaZulu Natal). Early on he developed a reputation as an assiduous cop unafraid to butt heads with an insular, self-protective leadership. He also stood out for his willingness to partner with Black officers, even in the face of overt discrimination: When he and Magadla went out of town on assignment, they would often sleep in a jail cell, for lack of a hotel that would accommodate both of them. He later applied his investigative skills internationally. When Goldstone was placed in charge of the United Nations’ investigation into war crimes in the former Yugoslavia in the late 1990s, he brought Dutton along — first, to examine mass graves in Bosnia, then as the lead investigator across the entire region. After retiring from the police in 2003, Dutton worked as a consultant for the United Nations, a job that took him around the world, investigating sexual abuse in the Congo, human rights violations in East Timor and police corruption in the Seychelles. In the 2010s, he joined Varney and a small team of lawyers, human rights activists and other investigators to reopen apartheid-era cold cases in which activists had died in police custody, their deaths officially ruled suicides. The first case involved Ahmed Timol, a communist and ANC member who died in 1971 after falling from a high floor of the main Johannesburg police station. A judge said he died by suicide, despite evidence that he had been tortured. Thanks to Dutton’s work, the case was reopened, and in 2017 another judge ruled it a homicide by the police. The next year, Dutton returned to investigating government corruption under former President Jacob Zuma as a part of the so-called Zondo Commission. At his death he was preparing to lead an investigation into the commission’s findings. He was also awaiting a ruling in another high-profile apartheid-era cold case, involving the supposed suicide of Neil Aggett, a doctor and labor activist, in police custody in 1982. His death galvanized the anti-apartheid movement and helped set in motion a wave of activism in the 1980s. The ruling is expected in the coming weeks.

Frank Dutton, who took on apartheid’s crimes, dies at 72

A 10-year-old white rhino in South Africa whose horns were hacked off by poachers was returned to wild after six years on Monday after undergoing 30 operations. The surgeries were carried out to repair the gash in his face.&nbsp;

The rhino was named Sehawukele by its rescuers. Sehawukele means “God have mercy on us”. It was called Seha for short. The rhino was found by police stumbling near a fence in a reserve, so disfigured that he could barely hear or eat.

The police called in Johan Marais, a wildlife vet who runs the charity Saving the Survivors. The group rehabilitates rhinos that survive poaching attacks.

“He has actually healed exceptionally well,” said Marais. “And I think this is the next chapter, where we are going to rewild him in a 2,000-hectare camp where we have put two females of breeding age with him.”

Even after extensive surgery, Seha’s sinus cavities are still exposed, creating a risk of infection. But conservationists have opted to return him to the wild nonetheless in the hope he will mate and help increase the dwindling population.

“No rhino translocation is without risk,” said Andre Uys, who manages the game reserve where Seha now lives.

Seha was safely darted and released on Monday. His rescuers are keeping his exact location a secret in the hope of preventing future poaching attacks.

Poachers killed at least 249 rhinos in South Africa during the first six months of 2021 – 83 more than in the first half of 2020. Full-year numbers are not available yet, but 24 were killed in just two weeks of December.

The animals are slaughtered for their horns, which are smuggled into Asia where they are highly prized for traditional and medicinal purposes.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A 10-year-old white rhino in South Africa whose horns were hacked off by poachers was returned to wild after six years on Monday after undergoing 30 operations. The surgeries were carried out to repair the gash in his face.

A 10-year-old white rhino in South Africa whose horns were hacked off by poachers was returned to wild after six years on Monday after undergoing 30 operations. The surgeries were carried out to repair the gash in his face. The rhino was named Sehawukele by its rescuers. Sehawukele means “God have mercy on us”. It was called Seha for short. The rhino was found by police stumbling near a fence in a reserve, so disfigured that he could barely hear or eat. The police called in Johan Marais, a wildlife vet who runs the charity Saving the Survivors. The group rehabilitates rhinos that survive poaching attacks. “He has actually healed exceptionally well,” said Marais. “And I think this is the next chapter, where we are going to rewild him in a 2,000-hectare camp where we have put two females of breeding age with him.” Even after extensive surgery, Seha’s sinus cavities are still exposed, creating a risk of infection. But conservationists have opted to return him to the wild nonetheless in the hope he will mate and help increase the dwindling population. “No rhino translocation is without risk,” said Andre Uys, who manages the game reserve where Seha now lives. Seha was safely darted and released on Monday. His rescuers are keeping his exact location a secret in the hope of preventing future poaching attacks. Poachers killed at least 249 rhinos in South Africa during the first six months of 2021 – 83 more than in the first half of 2020. Full-year numbers are not available yet, but 24 were killed in just two weeks of December. The animals are slaughtered for their horns, which are smuggled into Asia where they are highly prized for traditional and medicinal purposes. (With inputs from agencies)

Rhino that lost horns to poachers returns to wild after 30 operations

Two of South Africa's indigenous communities have dragged the tech giant Amazon to court. Members of the Khoi Khoi and San community have now filed a case in the Cape Town court against the construction of a new 70,000 sq. meter Amazon complex. Their concern was that the project would harm the environment. The court's ruling might be announced in the next week.

South Africa's indigenous communities file case against tech giant Amazon

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Thursday appointed Senior Counsel Advocate Terry Motau (SC) as chairperson of the disciplinary hearing into allegations of misconduct against Proteas men`s coach, Mark Boucher. It is proposed that the parties will meet with Advocate on January 26, 2022 to determine a timetable for the proceedings.

This follows December`s Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) report, which made tentative findings regarding allegations of discrimination and racism against various persons, including Boucher.

Specifically, during the SJN process, allegations of racism were levelled against Boucher by his former Proteas teammate, Paul Adams.

In releasing his report, the Ombudsman, Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza SC, indicated that he was not in a position to make "definite findings" and recommended that a further process be undertaken in this regard.

In keeping with this approach, the Board was obligated to institute further formal enquiries into CSA employees, suppliers or contractors who are implicated by the SJN report, and this is the first of these processes.

Read Also |<a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/not-happening-for-first-or-last-time-in-my-career-shikhar-dhawan-on-speculation-over-his-odi-spot-446253">&nbsp;Not happening for first or last time in my career: Shikhar Dhawan on speculation over his ODI spot</a>

"The Board remains mindful of its duty to treat allegations of racism or discrimination with the utmost seriousness and in a manner that ensures fairness and due process in terms of South Africa`s Constitution and labour legislation.

It is now up to the inquiry to determine to which extent the allegations are true and justify the need for further disciplinary steps," CSA Board Chairperson, Lawson Naidoo said in an official statement.

CSA also confirmed that a charge sheet, containing both the disciplinary charges against Boucher, as well as his rights, was provided to him on January 17. The upcoming inquiry will also consider concerns and allegations that arose following the resignation of former assistant coach, Enoch Nkwe.

While Boucher is being charged with gross misconduct, which could lead to his dismissal, CSA has emphasized that it is important that the independent inquiry first needs to test all allegations before any question of sanction can arise.

"CSA emphasises that any implicated party will be given a fair opportunity to be heard so that finality can be achieved," said Naidoo.&nbsp;

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Thursday appointed Senior Counsel Advocate Terry Motau (SC) as chairperson of the disciplinary hearing into allegations of misconduct against Proteas men`s coach, Mark Boucher.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Thursday appointed Senior Counsel Advocate Terry Motau (SC) as chairperson of the disciplinary hearing into allegations of misconduct against Proteas men`s coach, Mark Boucher. It is proposed that the parties will meet with Advocate on January 26, 2022 to determine a timetable for the proceedings. This follows December`s Social Justice and Nation-Building (SJN) report, which made tentative findings regarding allegations of discrimination and racism against various persons, including Boucher. Specifically, during the SJN process, allegations of racism were levelled against Boucher by his former Proteas teammate, Paul Adams. In releasing his report, the Ombudsman, Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza SC, indicated that he was not in a position to make "definite findings" and recommended that a further process be undertaken in this regard. In keeping with this approach, the Board was obligated to institute further formal enquiries into CSA employees, suppliers or contractors who are implicated by the SJN report, and this is the first of these processes. Read Also | Not happening for first or last time in my career: Shikhar Dhawan on speculation over his ODI spot "The Board remains mindful of its duty to treat allegations of racism or discrimination with the utmost seriousness and in a manner that ensures fairness and due process in terms of South Africa`s Constitution and labour legislation. It is now up to the inquiry to determine to which extent the allegations are true and justify the need for further disciplinary steps," CSA Board Chairperson, Lawson Naidoo said in an official statement. CSA also confirmed that a charge sheet, containing both the disciplinary charges against Boucher, as well as his rights, was provided to him on January 17. The upcoming inquiry will also consider concerns and allegations that arose following the resignation of former assistant coach, Enoch Nkwe. While Boucher is being charged with gross misconduct, which could lead to his dismissal, CSA has emphasized that it is important that the independent inquiry first needs to test all allegations before any question of sanction can arise. "CSA emphasises that any implicated party will be given a fair opportunity to be heard so that finality can be achieved," said Naidoo.

Advocate Terry Motau to preside over Mark Boucher's disciplinary hearing

The world is slowly coming to terms with COVID despite the rising number of infections, a study from South Africa shows the extent of the spread and not even lions are spared from the virus. Scientists at the University of Pretoria found out that three lions were infected with COVID-19.

Scientists at the University of Pretoria found out that three lions were infected with COVID-19

South Africa seems to be ready to live with the Covid pandemic as it does not plan to impose lockdown or any rules for quarantine. &nbsp;

This comes as the country has witnessed an unprecedented surge in the number of coronavirus cases fuelled by the emergence and spread of new variant Omicron. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-is-not-the-last-covid-variant-scientists-warn-445185" hreflang="en">Omicron is not the last Covid variant, scientists warn</a>

The South African government has decided to take a more pragmatic approach. It will also keep an eye on severe Covid cases and whether health systems are under threat or not, said a report by PTI. &nbsp;&nbsp;

On January 9, the medical experts of the country had said that restrictions enforced on the economy, livelihoods and other aspects of society due to coronavirus have indirect but severe effects. &nbsp;

They recommended that the government should not blindly go for such restrictions imposed across the world as they are not possible locally and yield only nominal benefits. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/when-will-the-pandemic-end-this-is-what-experts-believe-445027" hreflang="en">When will the pandemic end? This is what experts believe</a>

At this time, the country is witnessing the fourth wave of the pandemic. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The new approach of the government is in stark contrast to the worldwide practice of imposing restrictions to curtail the rise in the number of Covid cases. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

South Africa seems to be ready to live with the Covid pandemic as it does not plan to impose lockdown or any rules for quarantine. This comes as the country has witnessed an unprecedented surge in the number of coronavirus cases fuelled by the emergence and spread of new variant Omicron.

South Africa seems to be ready to live with the Covid pandemic as it does not plan to impose lockdown or any rules for quarantine. This comes as the country has witnessed an unprecedented surge in the number of coronavirus cases fuelled by the emergence and spread of new variant Omicron. Also Read: Omicron is not the last Covid variant, scientists warn The South African government has decided to take a more pragmatic approach. It will also keep an eye on severe Covid cases and whether health systems are under threat or not, said a report by PTI. On January 9, the medical experts of the country had said that restrictions enforced on the economy, livelihoods and other aspects of society due to coronavirus have indirect but severe effects. They recommended that the government should not blindly go for such restrictions imposed across the world as they are not possible locally and yield only nominal benefits. Also Read: When will the pandemic end? This is what experts believe At this time, the country is witnessing the fourth wave of the pandemic. The new approach of the government is in stark contrast to the worldwide practice of imposing restrictions to curtail the rise in the number of Covid cases. (With inputs from agencies)

Can live with Covid? South Africa to not impose lockdown or quarantine rules

AB de Villiers remains a big name in world cricket. Having announced a sudden retirement from international cricket in early 2018, with 8765, 9577 and 1,672 runs in Tests, ODIs and T20Is respectively, the former Proteas captain made the headlines as it was widely speculated that he will make a comeback at the highest level for the 2021 T20 World Cup. However, all such speculations were finally put to rest by the man himself in early last year.&nbsp;

Nonetheless, the right-handed batter ABD continued to make headlines by playing competitive cricket before announcing his retirement from all forms of the game post IPL 2021. In a series of tweets, de Villiers wrote, "It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket. Ever since the back yard matches with my older brothers, I have played the game with pure enjoyment and unbridled enthusiasm. Now, at the age of 37, that flame no longer burns so brightly.

"That’s the reality I must accept - and, even if it may seem sudden, that is why I am making this announcement today. I’ve had my time. Cricket has been exceptionally kind to me," he added.

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Recently, the former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) recruit ABD opened up on his retirement decision and revealed that IPL 2021 being held in two halves affected his 'enjoyment of cricket'. Speaking to TimesLive, de Villiers opined, "Cricketing wise, it has been coming for quite some time, it's always been about enjoyment for me. And the minute where I felt the difficulty of travelling and being there at the IPL for two and half to three months a year, specifically with this one that was spilt into two, bubbles and this and that made things very complicated with regards to cricket and the enjoyment thereof."

"I found myself on the park where scoring runs and doing well for the team didn't really match with everything that goes with it anymore and that is where the balance started leading towards hanging my gloves up. I have never been the guy who is going to push every single bit of energy of my ability and my cricketing skill, I have always played for the enjoyment of the game. And the minute that sort of started going down, I knew it was time for me to move on," he further added.

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For the unversed, IPL 14 was the first-ever season to be played in two parts. The first leg was indefinitely postponed midway due to the second wave of Covid-19 in India. Hence, the second and final leg was hosted in the UAE in late 2021. De Villiers ended his IPL career by amassing 5,162 runs -- sixth-most overall -- with 40 half-centuries and three centuries at a whopping strike-rate of 151.68.

AB de Villiers remains a big name in world cricket. Having announced a sudden retirement from international cricket in early 2018, with 8765, 9577 and 1,672 runs in Tests, ODIs and T20Is respectively, the former Proteas captain made the headlines as it was widely speculated that he will make a comeback at the highest level for the 2021 T20 World Cup.

AB de Villiers remains a big name in world cricket. Having announced a sudden retirement from international cricket in early 2018, with 8765, 9577 and 1,672 runs in Tests, ODIs and T20Is respectively, the former Proteas captain made the headlines as it was widely speculated that he will make a comeback at the highest level for the 2021 T20 World Cup. However, all such speculations were finally put to rest by the man himself in early last year. Nonetheless, the right-handed batter ABD continued to make headlines by playing competitive cricket before announcing his retirement from all forms of the game post IPL 2021. In a series of tweets, de Villiers wrote, "It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket. Ever since the back yard matches with my older brothers, I have played the game with pure enjoyment and unbridled enthusiasm. Now, at the age of 37, that flame no longer burns so brightly. "That’s the reality I must accept - and, even if it may seem sudden, that is why I am making this announcement today. I’ve had my time. Cricket has been exceptionally kind to me," he added. ALSO READ | 'Certainly an option' - Aussie speedster Mitchel Starc willing to put his name for IPL 2022 mega auction Recently, the former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) recruit ABD opened up on his retirement decision and revealed that IPL 2021 being held in two halves affected his 'enjoyment of cricket'. Speaking to TimesLive, de Villiers opined, "Cricketing wise, it has been coming for quite some time, it's always been about enjoyment for me. And the minute where I felt the difficulty of travelling and being there at the IPL for two and half to three months a year, specifically with this one that was spilt into two, bubbles and this and that made things very complicated with regards to cricket and the enjoyment thereof." "I found myself on the park where scoring runs and doing well for the team didn't really match with everything that goes with it anymore and that is where the balance started leading towards hanging my gloves up. I have never been the guy who is going to push every single bit of energy of my ability and my cricketing skill, I have always played for the enjoyment of the game. And the minute that sort of started going down, I knew it was time for me to move on," he further added. ALSO READ | IPL 2022 mega auction in Bengaluru as dates confirmed after governing council meeting For the unversed, IPL 14 was the first-ever season to be played in two parts. The first leg was indefinitely postponed midway due to the second wave of Covid-19 in India. Hence, the second and final leg was hosted in the UAE in late 2021. De Villiers ended his IPL career by amassing 5,162 runs -- sixth-most overall -- with 40 half-centuries and three centuries at a whopping strike-rate of 151.68.

De Villiers spills the beans on retirement, says IPL 14 held in two halves affected 'enjoyment of cricket'

The South Africa Captain, Dean Elgar’s father has revealed what his son told him ahead of the final day of the 2nd Johannesburg Test against India. His father said that Elgar will be in the middle ‘till the end of the game’.&nbsp;

The Proteas test captain justified his faith in the second test against India as his unbeaten 96 runs on Day 4 helped his team chase down the Indian team's 240 run target. Along with the victory, the South African team were able to level the 3-match series.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the South Africa red-ball skipper’s father Richard Elgar revealed what his son told him before the final day of 2nd test.

According to him, Dean promised he would stay at the crease until the end and that Indians would have to break something in his body to get him out.

Read More |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/indian-opener-mayank-agarwal-among-three-nominated-for-icc-mens-player-of-the-month-award-443215">Indian Opener Mayank Agarwal among three nominated for ICC men's Player of the month award</a>

“Dad! I will be there till the end of the game tomorrow. If they want to get me out, they would have to break something in my body to drag me out of there. They are not going to get me by hitting me on the body. No way in hell.’ When I heard him say that, I knew he was charged up and felt he would do it,” Richard Elgar told The Indian Express.

Further, Richard stated that India bowlers will not be able to knock out Elgar as he was ‘in the form’.&nbsp;

“In the morning, when the target dipped under 100, I said to my wife, ‘you know what, they are not going to get him out today.’ I could see that he was in the zone – so focused, so intense in his bubble, that he didn’t even know what was going on around him. I could see it. She said ‘but 100 runs are there’, and I went, ‘doesn’t matter. Dean and others are going to do it," said the South African Test captain's father.

Read Also |&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/loss-to-india-at-home-hurt-australian-team-and-dented-egos-says-former-coach-john-buchanan-443221">Loss to India at home hurt Australian team and dented egos, says former coach John Buchanan</a>

Now the series decider will be played on January 11-15 at the Newlands, Cape Town and Dean will hope to lead South Africa to a memorable series victory.&nbsp;

The South Africa Captain, Dean Elgar’s father has revealed what his son told him ahead of the final day of the 2nd Johannesburg Test against India. His father said that Elgar will be in the middle ‘till the end of the game’.

The South Africa Captain, Dean Elgar’s father has revealed what his son told him ahead of the final day of the 2nd Johannesburg Test against India. His father said that Elgar will be in the middle ‘till the end of the game’. The Proteas test captain justified his faith in the second test against India as his unbeaten 96 runs on Day 4 helped his team chase down the Indian team's 240 run target. Along with the victory, the South African team were able to level the 3-match series. Meanwhile, the South Africa red-ball skipper’s father Richard Elgar revealed what his son told him before the final day of 2nd test. According to him, Dean promised he would stay at the crease until the end and that Indians would have to break something in his body to get him out. Read More | Indian Opener Mayank Agarwal among three nominated for ICC men's Player of the month award “Dad! I will be there till the end of the game tomorrow. If they want to get me out, they would have to break something in my body to drag me out of there. They are not going to get me by hitting me on the body. No way in hell.’ When I heard him say that, I knew he was charged up and felt he would do it,” Richard Elgar told The Indian Express. Further, Richard stated that India bowlers will not be able to knock out Elgar as he was ‘in the form’. “In the morning, when the target dipped under 100, I said to my wife, ‘you know what, they are not going to get him out today.’ I could see that he was in the zone – so focused, so intense in his bubble, that he didn’t even know what was going on around him. I could see it. She said ‘but 100 runs are there’, and I went, ‘doesn’t matter. Dean and others are going to do it," said the South African Test captain's father. Read Also | Loss to India at home hurt Australian team and dented egos, says former coach John Buchanan Now the series decider will be played on January 11-15 at the Newlands, Cape Town and Dean will hope to lead South Africa to a memorable series victory.

'Dad I will be there till the end': What Dean Elgar told his father before the final day of 2nd Test vs India

South Africa's ruling party is celebrating its 110th anniversary. But the event did not go as planned. The party president - Cyril Ramaphosa was midway into his speech. When the annual dinner was plunged into darkness. Ramaphosa hurriedly concluded his speech in the dark and was whisked out of the venue. But this is not the only humiliation that the party is facing.

South Africa's ruling party celebrates its 110th anniversary

China's foreign minister Wang Yi wrapped up a three-nation tour in eastern Africa, where he denied Beijing's predatory lending strategies. But how do the account books stack up? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: China denies debt trap in Africa

Globally, about 294 million people have been infected with the coronavirus, with more than 5.8 million deaths.

Since the first cases were discovered in central China in December 2019, infections have been reported in over 210 countries and territories.&nbsp;

Now, a South African scientist believes she and her colleagues have discovered a crucial answer to the enigma of long COVID.&nbsp;

In an op-ed published Wednesday, Resia Pretorius, the head of the science department at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, wrote, "A recent investigation in my lab found that there is significant microclot formation in the blood of both acute COVID-19 and long COVID patients."&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-update-fda-amends-emergency-use-of-pfizer-booster-dose-for-more-teens-442035">Also read |&nbsp;Omicron update: FDA amends emergency use of Pfizer booster dose for more teens</a>

She discovered a correlation between microclots and lengthy COVID, which she believes is a critical step toward better understanding the disease that affects 100 million people worldwide.

Resia Pretorius and her team discovered large quantities of inflammatory chemicals "locked" in the persistent microclots seen in extended COVID patients during the summer.

In June, the Department of Human and Health Services issued new guidelines that define some long-term COVID symptoms as an impairment under the Americans with Disabilities Act.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | China shuts market due to virus found in fruits | Dragon fruit | Omicron

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-shuts-market-due-to-virus-found-in-fruits-dragon-fruit-omicron-442738/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to the Pretorius's op-ed "Patients with long Covid complain of numerous symptoms, the main ones being recurring fatigue and brain fog, muscle weakness, being out of breath and having low oxygen levels, sleep difficulties and anxiety or depression. Some patients are so sick that they cannot work or even walk a few steps. There is possibly also an elevated risk of stroke and heart attacks. One of the biggest sources of concern is that even mild and sometimes asymptomatic initial Covid-19 infection may lead to debilitating, long-term disability."

According to a study published in November by researchers at the University of Michigan, as many as 100 million people worldwide have or have had lengthy COVID.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a patient is diagnosed with protracted COVID when the consequences of a COVID-19 infection last for longer than four weeks.

While elderly persons and those with major medical issues are more prone to have protracted COVID, many young and healthy people have reported feeling ill for weeks or even months after being diagnosed with COVID-19.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Globally, about 294 million people have been infected with the coronavirus, with more than 5.8 million deaths. Since the first cases were discovered in central China in December 2019, infections have been reported in over 210 countries and territories.

Globally, about 294 million people have been infected with the coronavirus, with more than 5.8 million deaths. Since the first cases were discovered in central China in December 2019, infections have been reported in over 210 countries and territories. Now, a South African scientist believes she and her colleagues have discovered a crucial answer to the enigma of long COVID. In an op-ed published Wednesday, Resia Pretorius, the head of the science department at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, wrote, "A recent investigation in my lab found that there is significant microclot formation in the blood of both acute COVID-19 and long COVID patients." Also read | Omicron update: FDA amends emergency use of Pfizer booster dose for more teens She discovered a correlation between microclots and lengthy COVID, which she believes is a critical step toward better understanding the disease that affects 100 million people worldwide. Resia Pretorius and her team discovered large quantities of inflammatory chemicals "locked" in the persistent microclots seen in extended COVID patients during the summer. In June, the Department of Human and Health Services issued new guidelines that define some long-term COVID symptoms as an impairment under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Watch | China shuts market due to virus found in fruits | Dragon fruit | Omicron According to the Pretorius's op-ed "Patients with long Covid complain of numerous symptoms, the main ones being recurring fatigue and brain fog, muscle weakness, being out of breath and having low oxygen levels, sleep difficulties and anxiety or depression. Some patients are so sick that they cannot work or even walk a few steps. There is possibly also an elevated risk of stroke and heart attacks. One of the biggest sources of concern is that even mild and sometimes asymptomatic initial Covid-19 infection may lead to debilitating, long-term disability." According to a study published in November by researchers at the University of Michigan, as many as 100 million people worldwide have or have had lengthy COVID. According to the Mayo Clinic, a patient is diagnosed with protracted COVID when the consequences of a COVID-19 infection last for longer than four weeks. While elderly persons and those with major medical issues are more prone to have protracted COVID, many young and healthy people have reported feeling ill for weeks or even months after being diagnosed with COVID-19. (With inputs from agencies)

'Mystery of long COVID-19 is solved! This scientist believes so

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has received the first part of the inquiry report into state capture that looks into wrongdoings under president Jacob Zuma's administration.

SA President Ramaphosa receives initial inquiry report into wrongdoings under Zuma's administration

It was supposed to be a new year, a post-pandemic 2022 one, where we put the pandemic behind us. Instead, it is the year of a new variant one that is wreaking havoc across the world omicron is currently shaking the globe to its core.

Omicron causing crippling staff shortages in UK & US

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