Wednesday, 19 August 2026

A permanent stay of prosecution was explained as a drastic court order that ends a case for good when delay becomes unreasonable; higher courts alone can grant it, and it does not decide guilt.

Five thousand spaza shop applications were assessed, but only 1,386 approved and 930 funded; beneficiaries described slow feedback, supplier control over equipment purchases, and missing invoices after approval.

Thomas Chauke said the fund’s equipment and stock process left him with a broken fridge but no invoice, while Decade McKonto said the training helped and the 45,000 rand loan is interest-free over 60 months.

Dr Tahara Esse said women’s health changes across menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, menopause and stress, with common blind spots including fatigue, mood changes, postpartum depression and overlooked hormone imbalance.

Preventive care should start in the 20s to 30s, with pap smears, mammograms after 40 or earlier if high-risk, and attention to symptoms like brain fog, irregular periods, acne and menopause-related hot flushes.