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HKFP
4 days ago
- Politics
- HKFP
HKFP Monitor July 26, 2025: The impact of state media attacks, and rare tension among lawmakers over same-sex bill
This week, Beijing-backed media ramped up the 'soft resistance' narrative with a full-on, week-long attack on indie bookshops, cafés, and other businesses – raising questions about what they signal. Meanwhile, tension is brewing in Hong Kong's 'patriots-only' legislature, as some lawmakers push back against a bill granting limited rights to same-sex couples – a rare sight since the electoral overhaul. With the next LegCo election looming, the political scene remains unusually quiet. A local column suggests hopefuls are holding back, waiting for the green light to run. And finally, a cheerful celebrity photo turned political drama as stars Eric Tsang and Kenny Bee rushed to apologise after being pictured with controversial Malaysian rapper Namewee. Chinese state-run newspapers Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao have ramped up their attacks on indie bookshops, stores, and media outlets they label as pro-democracy — devoting a week of full-page reports accusing them of 'soft resistance.' Their reporters visited shops, cafés, as well as a tea house, a boutique, and even a claw machine store, digging for signs of ideological 'threats.' They even published a map showing a cluster of so-called 'yellow' shops in Sham Shui Po. According to the reports, some stores sold items with protest-linked slogans like 'We fucking love Hong Kong' and 'May good people have peace throughout their lives' -though social media page HK Propaganda noted that Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao had themselves used the latter phrase multiple times. Books by indie newsrooms The Witness and The Collective were also singled out, accused of bias and with their founders' backgrounds highlighted. So what's going on? These attacks aren't new. Since the national security law came into force in 2020, state media have often acted as both a test balloon to gauge public reaction – and a warning shot to their targets. Former Wen Wei Po deputy editor Ching Cheong told HKFP in 2021 that such campaigns usually reflected central planning more than spontaneous journalism. And they've worked before. In 2021, four members of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council resigned after similar accusations. But this time, some seem to be unfazed. Hunter Bookstore – targeted on Wen Wei Po's front page for two straight days – called the claims 'ridiculous,' adding it hoped more people would 'stand firm under pressure' and 'do what's right.' Since Hong Kong overhauled its electoral system in 2021 to create a 'patriots-only' legislature, it has been rare to see lawmakers push back on government bills. But the proposed Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill is sparking rare tension between the executive and the legislature. The bill, introduced earlier this month, is the government's response to a 2023 top court ruling requiring legal recognition of same-sex couples within two years. According to the proposal, limited rights would be granted to same-sex couples married overseas. LGBTQ groups have slammed it as inadequate. Meanwhile, many lawmakers are pushing back hard, claiming it amounts to recognising same-sex marriage and could undermine 'fundamental family values.' So far, only Regina Ip — who officiated at the 2023 Gay Games — and lawmakers from her New People's Party, as well as solicitor Paul Tse, have voiced open support. Chief Executive John Lee has stressed that the government must comply with the court's ruling, warning that ignoring it could lead to 'serious consequences.' The bill is currently under review by a 15-member bills committee before heading to a full Legislative Council (LegCo) debate. It remains to be seen whether lawmakers will hold their ground in rejecting it – and how the government plans to meet the court's October deadline without breaching the ruling. | LOCAL MEDIA MONITOR Unusually quiet? Local newspaper Ming Pao's political gossip column said on Wednesday that Hong Kong is seeing an 'unusually quiet' lead-up to the LegCo election in December. According to the anonymous writer, most politicians hoping to enter or stay in the 'patriots-only' legislature are still 'waiting for instructions,' with barely any public moves being made. Nominations opened on Monday for a by-election to fill 93 vacant seats in the 1,500-member Election Committee – the powerful body that nominates the city's chief executive and LegCo candidates, and directly elects 40 lawmakers. The column also mentioned a rumour swirling in political circles: around one-third of current legislators might not be staying. Apparently, securing a second term could hinge on passing an informal 'assessment' by the chief executive. Some unnamed lawmakers even claimed that senior government officials have written reports on certain legislators — reports that could influence their future in LegCo. Pro-establishment figure Lau Siu-kai said he had heard the rumour too but expressed doubts that the city's top leader has the final say. Beijing, he said, wouldn't want LegCo to be just a rubber stamp and still values lawmakers who offer constructive criticism. Celebs photo row: Hong Kong stars Eric Tsang and Kenny Bee took to Chinese social media site Weibo over the weekend to apologise after a photo surfaced showing them posing with controversial Malaysian rapper Namewee, known for his outspoken criticism of mainland China. In the photo, Bee was seen with his hand on Namewee's shoulder. While they didn't mention the Malaysian singer by name, Bee said he had 'no idea' about the person's background or 'inappropriate words and actions.' Had he known, he added, he wouldn't have interacted with him. 'This was an inadvertent mistake and in no way reflects my support for his views,' Bee wrote in a signed statement. Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, originally shared the group photo on Threads but later deleted it. He said it was to protect the 'safety of comrades in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area,' and to avoid affecting the 'peace and stability of the motherland.' Namewee is best known for his satirical 2021 track Fragile, which pokes fun at hypersensitive Chinese nationalism. He's also had multiple run-ins with Malaysian police over the years in connection with his provocative music videos and film. HKFP PHOTO OF THE WEEK This giant calendar shows every inspection Hunter Bookstore has faced from various government departments since 2022 – with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department making the most appearances. The inspections are part of a broader wave of bureaucratic pressure on indie bookstores across the city. In our exclusive report last week, six independent publishing companies said they had all been hit with simultaneous tax audits over the past 18 months. Those in the independent news sector, including HKFP, previously said they were facing similar scrutiny too.
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
More flights cancelled as FlySafair strike leaves passengers stranded
A disgruntled FlySafair customer boarded a bus back to Johannesburg from Durban this morning. According to The Witness, Itumeleng Morole was left stranded at King Shaka International Airport yesterday after her evening flight was cancelled due to the ongoing pilots' strike over a wage dispute. Morole said her attempts to resolve the matter failed when she was told to pay an extra R500 to have her name added to the standby flight list. She said she was informed it was either that or she would need to arrange alternate transport to her destination. 'To be made to pay an extra R500 for a standby flight that might not even be there was the last straw. Another alternative for them was another flight today, but there was no provision for accommodation for the night. 'When I realised it was around 16:00 and there was no hope that I would be assisted, I called a friend who provided me with accommodation for the night,' said Morole. 'I booked myself a bus and this morning I boarded. Better this than to go back to the chaos at FlySafair counters.' The low-cost airline's strike entered its second day today, with 26 flights cancelled – accounting for 13% of its operations. More than 200 pilots have joined the strike, rejecting the airline's 5.7% wage increase offer and holding firm on their demand for a 10.5% hike. The company said that due to the intensifying strike, more flights are expected to be cancelled. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
19-07-2025
- The Citizen
Two police constables shot dead in suspected love triangle in KZN
A suspected love triangle within the police ranks ended in tragedy on Thursday night when two Gamalakhe police constables were gunned down outside a home in Port Shepstone. The victims, a 34-year-old male officer and his girlfriend, were reportedly sitting in the man's car outside his house when the mother of his child, also a constable at the Port Shepstone police station, allegedly opened fire at them. Both victims later died at Murchison Hospital, The Witness reports. The incident happened in the Mbayimbayi location, Murchison, Ugu district. A police source said the man was taken to hospital with multiple gunshots while his girlfriend escaped the scene, but was later found nearby by a neighbour and was also taken to hospital where they both died. 'When the man's brother heard gunshots, he rushed out to check and saw his brother being shot at by the mother of his child, who is also a police constable stationed at Port Shepstone police station,' said a police source. 'The suspect was then traced and found in possession of her service pistol without the magazine.' Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the arrest of a constable in connection with the murders. 'Police in Port Shepstone have arrested a police Constable in connection with the murders of a fellow Constable who is believed to be the father of her child, and another Constable, suspected to be his girlfriend at Murchison location in Mbayimbayi area on Thursday night,' Netshiunda said. 'It is reported that the suspect went to a residence where she found her baby daddy with another woman and opened fire at both of them before leaving the scene of the crime. Both victims were declared dead upon arrival at hospital. The suspect was arrested on Friday and is expected to appear in court on Monday, 21 July 2025,' he said. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
19-07-2025
- The Citizen
2 killed as deadly fire rips through Durban informal settlement
A devastating fire tore through Durban's Kennedy Road informal settlement in the early hours of Saturday, claiming the lives of a woman in her 30s and a one-year-old baby. The Witness reports that the deadly blaze comes barely a month after another inferno destroyed 40 shacks in the same settlement. At this stage, the cause of the fire that destroyed over 100 shacks remains unknown. Resident and community leader Vusi Doncabe said he was woken up by the noise from the neighbours and when he walked out to check what was happening, the fire was too close to his own shack to save his belongings. 'I'm left with nothing. I could not throw out any of my belongings because the fire was too close to my shack when I woke up,' said Doncabe. I was in a state of panic and in fact everyone was in that state because the fire was uncontrollable. When the fire fighters and emergency services arrived, the blaze had done the damage. He said the one-year-old baby belonged to another woman who had left her in the care of the friend for the night. 'People are saying the baby was left with the friend who died in the same shack they were sleeping in. It is not clear where the baby's mother was,' he said. Relief organisation, Gift of the Givers said they had responded and provided assistance to the affected residents. Community liaison officer Bilaal Jeewa said about 120 people, including children were left homeless. He said in the interim they provided the victims with beanies and blankets, and meals will be provided. 'The eThekwini disaster management is doing the assessment, and once all is done, we will see what further assistance we can provide for the affected families. Obviously other NGOs will also lend a hand to assist the affected.' 'We estimate about 80 to 100 shacks have burnt down. Thus far, we have provided the people with teabags, bread, peanut butter, the beanies etc, because it was cold. It was raining but now it's cold,' said Jeewa. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- The Citizen
Explosives unit called in after Pietermaritzburg cash-in-transit heist
A specialist explosives unit was last night sweeping the scene of a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist near Bisley Nature Reserve in Pietermaritzburg, amid concerns that a live explosive device may still be present. The Witness reports that Murray Road, leading to the nature reserve, was cordoned off from the Oribi Road intersection, with law enforcement securing the area. At least five bullet casings were visible on the road, indicating the intensity of the gunfire that erupted shortly before 17:45. Sources at the scene told The Witness the robbery was initially planned closer to the N3 area, but the cash vehicle driver changed the route, possibly disrupting the suspects' plan. Despite this, the attackers intercepted the vehicle at the Oribi and Murray Road intersection, where they bombed the FCS armoured van. A white Isuzu bakkie, believed to have been used in the robbery, was found burning at the scene. The number and identity of the getaway vehicles remain unclear, but it is believed about 12 suspects were involved. The Hawks and SAPS were on site, managing the scene and conducting a full forensic and bomb investigation. By 20:00, the area remained an active crime scene and members of the public were urged to avoid it until it was declared safe. A previous report by The Witness confirmed the cash van driver was shot during the armed ambush and the armoured vehicle bombed at the intersection of Oribi and Murray roads, near the entrance to the nature reserve. According to AET Security, the driver sustained gunshot wounds to the leg and hand during the attack. Emergency services responded swiftly and took him to hospital for treatment. Authorities have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward. Police have not yet released details about the amount of money stolen or the exact sequence of events. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
