Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-07 i Cape Argus

Among its other attributes, the 1980 movie Airplane! was responsible for a pioneering pop-culture discovery: that non-comic actors playing it straight in a comedy could be insanely funny. Leslie Nielsen, up until then known as a stone-faced dramatic actor, was the prime beneficiary, parlaying his Airplane! turn as Dr Rumack into an entire second career as a deadpan farceur in TV’s Police Squad! and three Naked Gun movie spin-offs. Those projects were spoofs of 1970s police shows with Mad Magazine sight gags and Pink Panther, style slapstick, all cultural references that are sadly out of date in 2025. Do we need a belated third sequel to The Naked Gun, then, or this it just a case of nostalgia squared? Regardless, we’ve got one and it’s extremely funny until it isn’t.…

PATRIOTIC Alliance (PA) leader, Gayton McKenzie, has called on his party's legal team to draft a plan of action against a group of podcasters who made disparaging comments against the coloured community. In a clip of the conversation, which has gone viral, the Open Chats Podcast hosts make a number of racist comments at the community, claiming that not only do coloured families have sexual relationships with each other, but they also suffer mental issues. Reacting to the clip, McKenzie names members of the legal team who have been tasked with dealing with the matter. "I want a report today of how we are going to deal with those people who said coloureds are crazy. I want us to use everything at our disposal. Tonight, at 7pm, I will tell…

THE circumstances surrounding a viral video where an e-hailing driver was stabbed and robbed on Tuesday are under investigation. The vicious act was caught on camera and has since made the rounds on social media with police on the hunt for the perpetrators. The video clip has been released and shows the e-hailing driver with two men, one in the passenger seat and another one seated in the back seat, driving in Bottelary Road at about 7.40am on Tuesday. The e-hailing driver can be seen driving to an undisclosed location and conversing with the men. The man seated in the passenger seat is seen checking his phone, then he leans forward with his head in his hand and unexpectedly pulls out a knife and stabs the driver twice in the…

FINANCE Minister Enoch Godongwana has publicly pushed back against the South African Reserve Bank’s warning that the central bank cannot independently decide to lower the country’s inflation target. This comes after SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago said last week that the Monetary Policy Committee would now use 3%, the bottom of the 3% to 6% target range, as the anchor for its forecasts. Markets took that as a signal that Treasury would soon follow suit. Godongwana, however, has made it clear that this is not happening. “It is well established that policy-making responsibility in this area resides with the Minister of Finance, working with the president and Cabinet,” he said. “Any adjustments to our inflation-targeting framework will follow the established consultation process… not unilateral announcements that pre-empt legitimate policy deliberation.” He…

TEAMS from Llandudno Primary School demonstrated exceptional skill and ingenuity at the annual World Robot Olympiad at the weekend. The global competition, held under the theme “The Future of Robots”, challenged young innovators to explore the vital role of robotics in our world and beyond. This year’s Elementary category, “Satellites at Work”, transported pupils to the far reaches of space with a mission to design, build, and programme a robot to perform critical tasks. Computer teacher and EdTech departmental head at the school, Darren Osborn, said teams faced a series of complex challenges, including delivering rocket fuel, clearing hazardous space debris, and safely deploying new satellites into orbit. “They met these challenges with incredible focus and creativity, and we’re immensely proud of both teams for their hard work and dedication,”…

THE Two Oceans Aquarium appealed to all motorists to be aware of migrating western leopard toads on roads, especially at night. It is that time of the year when the endangered western leopard toads migrate from their garden homes to various bodies of water to breed. Unfortunately, this is a perilous time for the toads as it involves crossing busy roads to reach their breeding grounds. “In August, Western leopard toads in their numbers can be seen crossing roads around the Cape Peninsula. This migration is fraught with danger, as the toads have to navigate busy suburban roads at night. Already, many have lost their lives due to cars. In an interaction between a toad and a car, the toad always comes off as second best,” said Helen Lockhart, Two…

The recent commentary and opinions expressed by South Africans have led many of us to wonder has there been a demise of the freedom of speech in South Africa, are we no longer a democratic nation that has a right to express opinion and criticism. Daily News editor Ayanda Mduli expressed his concern to South Africans about the lack of respect when an opinion or perspective is expressed especially when it comes to sensitive global dysfunctionality and violence such as the Israeli Palestinian conflict. The conflict is sensitive because it is influenced by violent attacks, politics, religious beliefs and values and at present it has been void of basic human respect of the value of one another’s lives. The way in which people around the world express their disapproval or…

For years my colleagues up on the Highveld have been boasting that Joburg is where it's at. Being a true-blue Capetonian that lives off the fresh breeze of the ocean, I’ve always put up strong resistance. It’s not that I haven’t spent time up in the Big Smoke before, but this past week has had me hustling from West, East, South and North of this vast metropolis. Each day there’s been a sporting event/launch/match that requires my attention. From Jonty Rhodes’ birthday celebrations with Mahindra to MTN8 and Betway Premiership season-opening affairs to the grand Cricket South Africa (CSA) Awards, this Jozi town is certainly a sports journalists’ Mecca. The CSA Awards was certainly top of the list. While media are no longer flown up and lodged on the CSA…

IN THE first half of 2025, instant messaging platform WhatsApp said it detected and deactivated over 6.8 million accounts associated with criminal scam operations, mitigating potential harm to countless users. “The fight against scams is a relentless one, and we are continually evolving our defences to stay ahead of bad actors,” said Kojo Boakye, vice president of Public Policy for Africa, the Middle East and Türkiye at Meta. “This is part of our unwavering commitment to protect our users, not just by banning malicious accounts, but by empowering individuals with the tools and knowledge they need to recognise and avoid these sophisticated threats. We believe that a safer messaging environment is built through a combination of robust technology, proactive detection, and user education.” Understanding how criminals operate is essential for…

THE Alexandra Magistrate’s Court has, for the first time, heard that controversial businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe is allegedly involved in the illicit drug trade, and that the killings of DJ Sumbody and DJ Vintos are linked to this underworld activity. Molefe, who was arrested last month by the police’s political killings task team in Gauteng, appeared in court yesterday for a formal bail application. He is facing multiple charges including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. His three co-accused, Musa Kekana, Michael Pule Tau and Floyd Mabusela, have opted not to apply for bail. The State alleges that Molefe orchestrated the murder of DJ Sumbody (Oupa John Sefoka), who was gunned down in Woodmead, Johannesburg, in November 2022. His bodyguards, Sibusiso Mokoena and Sandile…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to stay the R167 million constitutional damages case brought by families of victims and survivors of apartheid-era atrocities until the conclusion of the judicial commission of inquiry, so that all the facts are on the table. Ramaphosa earlier signed a proclamation for the establishment of the judicial commission of inquiry to determine whether attempts were made to prevent the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. Advocate Tim Bruinders SC, arguing on behalf of Ramaphosa and the government, said the commission will shed more light on why, and to what extent and by whom, efforts or attempts were made to influence or pressure the SAPS or the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to stop investigating or prosecuting TRC cases. Judge Nicolene…

THE Western Cape High Court has dismissed a woman’s application to access her estranged husband’s share following the sale of their matrimonial home. The estranged couple, married for nearly a decade, have been embroiled in legal battles since the divorce proceedings started in August 2024. They got married in November 2015 at Bogota, Republic of Colombia, and share a 9-year-old son. The husband suffered a stroke when he was 23, and as a result, his parents, who own a fruit export business in Colombia, financially supported him for over 20 years and later extended the financial support to his wife and child. The wife received a monthly allowance of R90 000 which she used for her personal expenses as well as supporting their child. The mother-in-law assisted the couple to…

Chippa United coach Sinethemba Badela is aiming to turn the club into a more competitive force as they begin yet another season with fresh leadership at the helm. The Chilli Boys face a tough opening fixture. They host reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturdya in a 3pm kickoff. The Eastern Cape outfit last met Sundowns in league action in a match that ended in a heavy 3-0 defeat. Since then, they parted ways with former coach Thabo September, and now Badela steps in with the responsibility of guiding the club toward a more respectable finish this season. Badela, who previously worked as an assistant and development coach at Sundowns, was also part of Rhulani Mokwena’s staff during their brief spell with Moroccan side Wydad…

We’re 12 races deep into the 2025 Formula 1 season, and it looks like McLaren have a firm grip on both titles. That being said, the first half of the season has not been short of big overtakes, big crashes, and first-time big moments for some. We highlight some of the most wholesome and adrenaline-filled moments, as well as some of the biggest disappointments from the first half: Best Team: McLaren It’s no surprise who takes top honours in this category, as McLaren have led from start to finish in this first segment of the F1 season. Dominant in almost every aspect of the sport — from car construction and communication to strategies and pit stop performances — McLaren have been the most solid unit. Some argue that they benefit…

Ozzy Osbourne’s cause of death has been revealed. The 76-year-old Black Sabbath frontman died on July 22 following years of health challenges, including a public Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2019, and documents now show he passed away from an “acute myocardial infarction” and “out of hospital cardiac arrest”. His death certificate has emerged after the heavy metal icon, widely known as the Prince of Darkness, gave a final farewell performance in his hometown of Birmingham shortly before his death. The gig, which was followed by a coffin-led procession through the streets to Black Sabbath Bridge, marked a symbolic return to the city where his career began. Ozzy was later buried by the lake on the grounds of his Buckinghamshire estate after a private funeral attended by family, close friends and…

As South Africa commemorates Women’s Month, ANC veteran Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of poverty, and that there should be equal opportunities for women and men. Dlamini-Zuma said this is because the system is still working against women despite constitutional protections and legislative efforts. She was speaking during her visit to the Independent Media newsroom on Tuesday. Every year, in August, South Africa celebrates Women’s Month to pay tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on August 9, 1956, in protest against the extension of the pass laws to women. During Women’s Month, South Africa celebrates women as active agents of change and social transformation. The commemoration also allows the country to take stock of achievements and…

DEFENCE Minister Angie Motshekga has blamed technical challenges for the delayed deployment of the South African Air Force (SAAF) to assist during the devastating floods that took place in the Eastern Cape last month. This emerged when Motshekga was responding to parliamentary questions from the EFF and the DA amid the continued underfunding of the SAAF. DA MP Patrick Atkinson said it took a full week after the onset of the devastating floods in the Eastern Cape for the SAAF to deploy a single Oryx helicopter to assist with flood relief efforts. EFF MP Carl Niehaus noted with concern that the SAAF was not deployed during the critical early stages of the floods in Mthatha and other parts of the Eastern Cape, and that the response was limited to one…

Proteas batter Ryan Rickelton aims to cement his spot at the top of the order in the T20I side during the upcoming three-match series in Australia, as the Proteas look to find a settled squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Rickelton, though he has secured a place as an opener in the Test and ODI squads, is yet to make a mark in the shortest format, having scored only one half-century in 13 innings with an average of 20. However, the left-handed batter has all the shots and batting tempo to succeed as a T20I opener, as proven in the SA20 and IPL earlier this year. Coach Shukri Conrad has also backed Rickelton, making it clear that he will open the batting in Australia. The 29-year-old told the media…

With Western Province’s Stormers players still in hibernation and Evan Roos in the Springbok fold, loose forward Louw Nel is hoping to make the most of his opportunities in the Currie Cup. Nel has been a beacon of light in Province’s first two matches during a difficult start to the competition. The No. 8 scored a brace of tries in their defeat to the Lions this past weekend, while also ranking among the players with the most carries in the match. Province have had to juggle their resources in the Currie Cup. Nel, who was a fringe player for the Stormers during their previous United Rugby Championship campaign, has been sharing a dressing room with players from the club set-up, as well as a few mercenaries from the Springbok Sevens…