Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-04-25 i Cape Argus

When Incognito hits the stage at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) this weekend, there’s one song that nearly everyone in the audience will be waiting to hear. “Still a Friend of Mine, says bandleader Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick, with a knowing smile. “People have memories tied to our music. Their moms and dads played it. When we perform, it is like someone has opened a photo album. “We cannot visit Cape Town and not play that song.” The song, originally released in 1993 – and many other global hits such as and their legendary rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing – has become a classic for South African fans, making the British acid jazz group one of the festival’s most anticipated acts. With over four…

A MUIZENBERG grandpa has been sentenced to 21 years behind bars after pleading guilty to murdering his wife and then staging a house robbery. Shocking details emerged in the Western Cape High Court, detailing what led-up to the horrific death of Franziska Carter at the hands of her husband, William Carter, who admitted to beating her with a tyre lever before stabbing her in the back. William faced various charges for the murder of his wife who was killed just days before the couple finalised their divorce proceedings in October 2020. According to the indictment, the couple lived in Marina Da Gama for many years but in 2015 they separated and William moved to the US. Five years later he returned to South Africa to finalise their divorce but…

PARLIAMENT arson accused, Zandile Mafe, remains a patient at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital, a year after Judge Nathan Erasmus declared him unfit to stand trial. A legal expert has weighed in that he would be regularly evaluated, with reports written for senior counsel to review. This week, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, confirmed Mafe was still a patient at Valkenberg. In December 2023, at the Western Cape High Court, Judge Erasmus said the mental evaluation of Mafe determined that he exhibited signs of hallucinations and disorganised speech. He therefore deemed Mafe mentally unfit to stand trial. Mafe was charged with housebreaking, theft, terrorism and arson. He was homeless at the time when he was arrested on January 2, 2022, the same day as the fire that destroyed portions of…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump have pledged to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict as soon as possible. The two leaders discussed the ongoing war during a telephonic meeting yesterday, ahead of Ramaphosa’s meeting in SA with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky arrived in SA yesterday morning on an official working visit to find solutions around the war. Ramaphosa said he and Trump “both agreed that the war should be brought to an end as soon as possible to prevent further death and destruction.” The SA President emphasised the need for diplomacy and dialogue to achieve a peaceful resolution to the conflict. “If there is one thing that our history has taught us, it is that diplomacy and dialogue are more powerful than any weapon,” Ramaphosa said. Ramaphosa’s comments…

THE SANParks said while it received an application by Kropz, a mining company owned by African Rainbow Capital, to mine a phosphate deposit within the West Coast National Park, such an activity is prohibited under section 48(1)(a) of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act. “SANParks is responsible for managing the national parks in South Africa. We can confirm that Kropz Elandsfontein (Pty) Limited has approached us to explore the possibility of de-proclamation of a portion of land that is part of the West Coast National Park,” said JP Louw, SANParks spokesperson. “However, SANParks cannot allow any mining activities within a declared national park, as this is prohibited under section 48(1)(a) of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 57 of 2003. We have communicated this official position to Kropz…

The Stormers must tighten up a few areas of their gameplay if they want to beat Benetton in their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash on Saturday in Cape Town as they continue pushing for a favourable knockout spot. Despite beating Connacht, certain parts of their game did not function well, and the Italians will look to exploit it even further when the duel kicks off (6.15pm) in the DHL Stadium. Independent Newspapers looks at five key areas the Cape side would’ve worked on ahead of this watershed duel. Defence It has long been a pillar of the Stormers’ gameplan, but teams have found it too easy to circumvent their rush defence. Director of rugby John Dobson could not put his finger on the problem and if it’s a system or…

With Orlando Pirates and Pyramids FC eager to secure their place in the coveted CAF Champions League final, today's Champions League semi-final second leg in Cairo promises a battle of tactical prowess. Their tense first leg in Johannesburg last week ended in a goalless draw. However, the match was rife with drama after the intervention of VAR that controversially disallowed two goals from Pyramids, leaving the North African players and their fans alike eager for redemption. This week, Pyramids and Orlando Pirates benefited from a brief hiatus in their domestic leagues due to match postponements, allowing them ample time to regroup and refine their strategies. This extended rest period could prove vital as each team aims to harness their momentum. Pirates arrived in Cairo on Tuesday and will try to…

Bulls mentor Jake White did his best on Friday to deny that they don’t see their United Rugby Championship (URC) match against the defending champions the Glasgow Warriors as a revenge match. It’s the same Warriors who, under head coach Franco Smith, rocked up to Loftus Versfeld last season and beat the home side in the final to be crowned winners of the third edition. Friday’s duel at the Scotstoun Stadium (8.35pm kick-off) will be their first meet since that fateful Saturday in Pretoria in 2024. The Bulls pencilled 25 April in as the meet-again with the champions and they will now get their date in a crucial final away game in the third-last round-robin clash of the season. Hunting for the second place on the overall log - they…

THE rand showed signs of recovery yesterday, strengthening slightly after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the government’s decision to abandon the contentious Value Value Added Tax (VAT) increase. The move, made public during a morning briefing, has been welcomed by various sectors including business and civil society, propelling the rand to a value of R18.6650 against the US dollar, marking a modest gain of 0.1% from the previous day’s close. The proposed 0.5 percentage point hike, which was set to take effect on May 1, had been introduced in the February National Budget to help bridge a significant R75 billion fiscal shortfall. However, this proposal quickly found itself at the centre of a heated debate, facing mounting opposition from a coalition of business leaders and social advocates. In a statement…

POLICE have arrested a suspect believed to be behind a stabbing frenzy in Milnerton, which has left the wife of a former member of the Milnerton Crime Watch Trust (MCWT) in a critical condition in hospital. The drama unfolded on Wednesday outside the Cash Crusaders in Milnerton, when an unknown man started stabbing members of the public, the first being a woman. He then moved to Koeberg Road where he stabbed another victim, a man, who managed to escape, making it to the police station where he reported what happened. Police spokesperson, Anelisiwe Manyana, said the suspect was arrested and charged while the victims were in a critical condition in hospital. “We can confirm that Milnerton police opened an attempted murder case, assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm…

THE consequences of a tragic incident more than 20 years ago, when two sets of twin girls were accidentally swapped at birth, unfolded in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, with the Gauteng MEC for Health ending up having to pay R5.5 million in damages. Judge Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi awarded damages to the biological mother of one set of twins – only identified as Mrs M, as well as to three of the other twins. The fourth twin did not form part of the litigation, brought on behalf of the plaintiffs by the law firm O Joubert Attorneys. The four plaintiffs’ claims follow a baby swap at the Heidelberg Hospital more than 20 years ago. Mrs M, a single mother, cared for what she thought were both her biological children, while another…

ANC is embroiled in a heated debate over the alleged shooting incident involving Deputy President Paul Mashatile. It is alleged that Mashatile’s car was attacked and sprayed with bullets after a National Executive Meeting in Gauteng on March 30, however, the alleged shooting only became public last Sunday. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has cast doubt on the claims, saying the party was not informed about the incident until it surfaced in media reports. Mbalula’s comments have sparked speculation about the incident and the motivations behind the claims while an ANC insider believes the gloves were off between Mbalula and Mashatile over the succession battle of the ANC presidency. “As the ANC, we are yet to release a comprehensive response to this situation. We call it a situation because it’s not…

A WORLD record for sheer strength was set in Century City when Austrian strongman Franz Müllner pulled a City Sightseeing six-wheel double-decker bus weighing 14 530kg over 20 metres in 57 seconds. Müllner is a former special forces member of the Austrian army. His visit to Cape Town last week marked his sixth world record in his quest to set seven world records across seven continents. The Austrian Rock, as he is known, has also lifted a 661kg helicopter on his shoulder for 30 seconds during a stunt in Austria. He also holds the longest duration – 50 seconds – for restraining four motorcycles. After crossing the finishing line, Müllner raised his fists in victory. He said it took four months to prepare for the stunt, training for four hours…

Annerie Dercksen will always remember her Proteas Women’s ODI debut at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru last year. But not for the reasons that you may think. While it was the fulfilment of a life-long dream and she had the wicket of Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur to cherish, Dercksen’s primary recollection is standing in the field and admiring the brilliance of Smriti Mandhana. The graceful Indian opener was in the form of her life and her full array of strokes was on display during her 117. It certainly was an eye-opener for Dercksen, who hails from the small town of Beaufort West in the Great Karoo region, that she had now officially joined the big show. “I've got to say, in my debut game, I think she scored close to…

AmaZulu will travel to the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale tomorrow for a 3pm kick-off against Golden Arrows in what promises to be a season-defining KwaZulu-Natal derby. Both teams will be eyeing a top-eight finish that eluded them last season. Usuthu currently sit seventh on the league table with 33 points from 26 matches, but their recent run of form paints a concerning picture. With four losses in their last five outings, their ability to finish the season on a strong note will be put to the test. As they prepare to face their local rivals, this fixture carries more than just bragging rights. With only four points separating the two teams, the stakes are significantly high. And in a campaign plagued by inconsistency, this derby becomes a potential turning point—or…

In a striking development, Al Ahly has been granted full-capacity approval for Friday's clash against Mamelodi Sundowns, turning up the heat in the CAF Champions League semi-final second leg in Cairo. Recently, Egyptian authorities have capped attendance at CAF matches to a maximum of 30,000 fans. This rule was strictly enforced in Cairo last week when South African minnows Stellenbosch FC shocked the football world by upsetting Zamalek in the Confederation Cup match. Egyptian giants Al Ahly appealed to their Ministry of Sport after their officials emphasised the significance of the match and the potential impact of an electrifying crowd on the outcome. As a result, the Cairo International Stadium will host a capacity crowd of 75,000 fans for this high-stakes encounter. Slovenian-born Nejc Gradisar, who played as the lone…

TWO more people arrested in connection with the shooting at Wynberg Magistrate’s Court are expected to appear in court today. Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, said police arrested two men, aged 23 and 34, yesterday morning. “This brings the number of suspects arrested for the murder to four,” Twigg said. The duo are accused alongside Shireen Matthews and her boyfriend, Junky Funky alleged hitman Abubaker Adams, for the murder of Dingalomoyo Chintso, 49, on April 8. The shooting on the fourth floor of the courthouse, which houses the Wynberg Regional Court, sent tongues wagging amid false claims that the victim was a State witness. At the time of the incident, an eyewitness reported that a lone gunman wearing a maroon t-shirt and a black beanie approached Chintso and took a firearm…

FURTHER efforts to mitigate the negative impact of Covid-19 on the taxi industry, the Transport Department has announced the allocation of R408 million in its 2025/26 budget for disbursement as relief funds. This was disclosed by Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, when she was responding to Build One South Africa (Bosa) leader Mmusi Maimane, who asked about the once-off gratuity allocated in the budget tabled in Parliament. Maimane asked the purpose of the allocation, its rationale, intended beneficiaries and criteria to determine its distribution. In her written response, Creecy said Cabinet approved the once-off relief fund to the tune of R1.135 billion in 2021 to mitigate the negative impact of Covid-19 on the taxi industry. She said due to a number of challenges in the taxi industry, not all operators accessed…

DRIVERS have been feeling the pain of traffic congestion across Cape Town, and have been left frustrated with very few avenues to direct that frustration. Through casual conversation, anecdotal evidence, and global research, it is clear the impact Cape Town traffic has on the lives of people and time they lose as a result. Back in January, the 2024 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard revealed Cape Town to be the ninth most congested city in the world, and that traffic was 13% worse than the previous year. The year before that, Cape Town was in the same position on the same index. The INRIX survey revealed that Capetonians, on average, experience a delay of 94 hours per year, versus the time they would have spent if they were driving during quieter,…

The ongoing occupation of Western Sahara by Morocco represents a stark and enduring violation of international law, a blatant disregard for human rights, and a profound betrayal of the African Union's founding principles. As we commemorate Land Reclamation Month this April at the EFF, we have to remember those who are still fighting against land occupation on this continent. For over four decades, the Sahrawi people have endured displacement, oppression, and the denial of their fundamental right to self-determination. This injustice demands a decisive response from the international community, and the call for Morocco's expulsion from the AU is a crucial step towards holding the kingdom accountable and achieving a just resolution to this protracted conflict. The historical context of the conflict reveals a pattern of colonialism and dispossession. Following…

Liverpool are on the brink of winning the Premier League title after Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Arne Slot's side were watching in anticipation of an Arsenal defeat that would have secured Liverpool's record-equalling 20th English title. They didn't get their wish to start the party just yet, but Liverpool look certain to lift the trophy for the first time since 2020 after Jean-Philippe Mateta's late equaliser for Palace at the Emirates Stadium. Liverpool are 12 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, who have just four games left and an inferior goal difference of +34 compared to the leaders' +44. The Reds, who have five matches remaining, will be assured of matching the 20 titles won by bitter rivals Manchester United if they avoid…

Bruce Bvuma is doing his best to find the balance at Kaizer Chiefs: uphold the lineage of the club’s greatest goalkeepers and being true to himself. Bvuma is Chiefs’ No 1. And that’s a dream come true for him given that when he joined the youth structures he was eager to reach those echelons. But such is the heavy burden that comes with being Chiefs’ No 1 who hails from the youth structures, there’s little to no margin for error. There are standards which need to be practised, including standing head and shoulders above your peers in top-flight football. This is what the likes of Eshele Botende, followed by Brian Baloyi, Rowen Fernandez and Itumeleng Khune had set during their illustrious stints at the club. Bvuma has done his best…

Every so often, you get to watch a disaster unfold in slow motion right in front of you. Inevitably, you think to yourself, there must be a German word or phrase to encapsulate the experience. Like Treppenwitz – that moment when you think of the perfect comeback just a little too late – or Backpfeifengesicht, which describes the urge you feel to look down on someone with a punchable face. Perhaps the German word that best describes the Lions over the past two months, however, is Fremdscham – which literally translates to “strangely ashamed” and in English aligns most closely with second-hand embarrassment. Now, it is well established in newsprint that I am a massive Lions fan, so we won’t rehash those details. Needless to say, though, the last few…