Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-05-20 i Cape Argus

THE Mitchells Plain Moslem Butchery has broken its silence following the arrest of an employee for attempted murder, which arose from a prank that involved tricking a colleague into drinking acid. In a statement, the butchery said while the case was under investigation and before court they would not be commenting further on the “specifics of the case nor taking any public position at this time”. The butchery added: “We want to make it clear that we remain respectful, while being focused on maintaining a safe working environment for all our staff and customers. “We trust that the legal process will determine the facts and outcome of the incident in due course. We are further conducting an internal investigation while fully co-operating with the South African Police Service. “Our commitment…

ANALYSTS have emphasised the need for the National Treasury to allocate more resources toward improving service delivery, complemented by stronger accountability measures to ensure efficiency and transparency as the finance minister prepares to present the ‘3.0 Budget’ for the 2025-26 financial year. Among other things, the Budget will focus on addressing the R75 billion shortfall. Kabelo Moutloatse, a tax accounting specialist at Latita Africa, expressed concern over possible adjustments to business taxes in the revised Budget. “Any increase in business taxes could undermine foreign investment confidence and reduce the return on investment,” he explained. He said businesses might raise prices or cut costs to protect profits. He argued that increasing prices could lead to decreased consumer spending over time, affecting overall turnover. “Conversely, cost-cutting measures – such as layoffs –…

The Western Cape High Court has declared asylum seeker detention unconstitutional after it was challenged by human rights lawyers and the Scalabrini Centre. The Western Cape High Court has declared several refugee protection compromising provisions of the Refugees Act and its accompanying regulations invalid. The matter was brought to court by the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town, represented by Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR). The Scalabrini Centre and LHR challenged the unlawful practice of arresting and detaining new asylum seekers based on preliminary interviews conducted by immigration officials regarding their entry into the country. They argued that this process effectively bypassed the established asylum application process, contravening the fundamental principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to places where they face persecution or serious harm. “This judgment affirms…

American author Mark Twain famously liked to quote former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli on the limitations of using numbers to forecast the future: “There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.” Leinster supporters would likely agree. Over the four years of the United Rugby Championship (URC), their team has dominated the statistical charts and consistently finished top of the league table. By the numbers, they should have won the title comfortably — yet they fell short in 2022, 2023, and 2024, with the current tournament still undecided. Leinster fans won’t be holding their breath — they’ve been let down by statistics before. Still, a look at the data following the final league round of the URC illustrates why the Bulls are South Africa’s best bet for the title; why the…

SuperSport United’s fight for Betway Premiership survival heads into a crucial final stretch, with their penultimate fixture set to be one of their toughest — a showdown against Orlando Pirates at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening (kick-off 7.30pm). Fresh off a deflating 2-1 loss to Stellenbosch FC, Andre Arendse’s side have little time to regroup. With two season-defining fixtures ahead — starting with the visit of the Buccaneers, followed by a tense encounter against Richards Bay FC at the same venue on Saturday — the stakes couldn't be higher. Currently 14th on the log and level on points with 15th-placed Cape Town City — who recently snapped a 13-match winless streak with a 2-0 away win over Polokwane City — Matsatsantsa find themselves teetering on the edge…

It will be a case of 16th in the English Premier League against 17th when Manchester United take on Tottenham in Wednesday night's Europa League final in Bilbao. The reward for the winner? A place at Europe's top table next season. It hardly seems fair that Ruben Amorim's woeful United side and Ange Postecoglu's equally dismal Spurs could be competing with Europe's elite while Nottingham Forest could miss out. To put their struggles into perspective, even already relegated Leicester are in better form than Spurs and United at the moment. Both sets of fans will argue, rightfully so, that they don't make the rules for the competition. However, the scenario is surely one that organisers Uefa could not have envisioned. It's their greed that may be the cause of…

Popular SABC1 soapie, Skeem Saam, is set to captivate audiences once again as it gears up for its exciting 14th season. Since its debut in 2011, the award-winning show has kept viewers on the edge of their seats with its engaging storylines and memorable characters, and the new season promises to deliver even more high-stakes drama and unexpected twists. Speaking about unexpected twists, the show is set to bring back two fan favourites. Lesego Marakalla will reprise her role as Turfloop’s slay queen, Rachel Kunutu. This will mark her first appearance since leaving the show five years ago to return to her studies full time. Marakalla’s return will not only reintegrate her into the Turfloop’s storylines but it will also reignite her tumultuous relationship with her estranged husband, Marothi Maphuthuma,…

THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) yesterday announced that while it has noted the departure of Timothy Omotoso from South Africa, it will still proceed with the appeal on the acquittal judgment notwithstanding. NPA spokesperson, advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, said Omotoso is not required to be present in court when the NPA appeal is made. “The South African legal system does not require active participation or presence of an accused person during the hearing of an appeal by a court. An appeal process requires the involvement of the legal teams of the appellants and respondents, the Registrar of the High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), as well as the judiciary,” he said. Mhaga said there was no basis for authorities to block Omotoso from leaving South Africa. “Timothy Omotoso…

THE Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE) has called on the government to avoid imposing a blanket ban on poultry imports from Brazil, following the recent outbreak of avian influenza in the South American country. AMIE has recommended that the government adopt a more targeted approach, restricting imports only from the affected regions in Brazil instead of halting all poultry shipments from the entire country. The association pointed out that “this approach has already been announced by Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the Philippines in response to the outbreak”. “A full ban on Brazilian poultry imports to South Africa will have devastating consequences for the South African poultry meat processors and consumers. “Imported poultry not only fills the country’s poultry consumption gap, but also provides the necessary competition…

A KRAAIFONTEIN man who downloaded and distributed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, while also being in unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition, and protected species, has been sentenced to 12 years’ direct imprisonment by the Blue Downs Regional Court. Corne van Rooyen pleaded guilty to 10 serious offences, including the possession and distribution of child pornography, illegal firearm and ammunition possession, animal cruelty, and contravening environmental protection laws. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that Van Rooyen used the Viber mobile application, under the username “COME,” to share child pornography with other users. “He downloaded 453 images and videos of child pornography to store on his cellphone and other devices,” said Ntabazalila. “When online, he broadcast his collection of child pornography to other users.” His…

For some, jazz is a rhythm that unlocks joy. For others, it is the sound of resistance, a voice when words fail, a melody infused with pain and hope. For me, jazz is freedom. It is a global language that crosses borders, cultures, and time zones, one that speaks of unity, memory, and possibility. The legacy of jazz is inseparable from humanity’s most defining struggles and triumphs. From its beginnings in New Orleans in the 20th century to its arrival and integration with Marabi in South Africa, jazz has always stood as both witness and participant in history. Viewed by the apartheid regime as subversive, jazz was heavily policed, censored, and pushed underground. Musicians and gatherings were targeted, yet the music endured, in townships and homes, becoming a symbol of…

For cricket enthusiasts, a visit to Lord’s is more than just a day at the cricket; it is the culmination of dreams nourished over countless hours spent watching games unfold on television. The iconic ground, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket,” is steeped in history and offers an array of unique features, from the Father-Time weather vane to the Members Pavilion and the futuristic Media Centre. Yet, nothing captivates bowlers’ minds like the revered Lord’s slope, a challenge that can make or break a game. “It is indeed a real thing,” explained former Proteas bowling coach Vincent Barnes in an exclusive interview with Independent Media. “The sheer size of it stuns you when you see it for the first time, especially if you are a bowler who hasn’t…

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said on Monday that he was “absolutely” confident his side can secure one of the top five spots in the Premier League, which would guarantee Uefa Champions League football next season. While the English Premier League title has long been wrapped up by Liverpool, and Arsenal secured a top-five finish on Sunday, the race for the remaining three spots remains wide open. Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Aston Villa all sit on 66 points after 37 matches, while City are sixth with 65 points and have a game in hand over their rivals. The last time City failed to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition was the 2009/10 season. “If we’re not there (in the Champions League), then we don’t deserve it and will be in…

A WORCESTER teacher has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a Grade 8 learner in his classroom. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as her life orientation teacher, he had built her trust through social media. The State proved that on February 7, 2020, Jeremy Claasen raped the learner inside of his classroom. Acting Worcester Regional Court prosecutor Cornelius Prinsloo led evidence which revealed that Claasen, 38, was her life orientation teacher in Grade 8. Claasen started chatting with her on social media platforms when she joined the school in Grade 7. He built up a relationship of trust and won her affection to the point where she felt comfortable around him. On the day of the incident, the learner went to Claasen’s classroom to charge…

THE Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has confirmed the implementation of a new agreement between the South African Post Office (SAPO) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), aimed at preserving nearly 6 000 jobs and supporting the recovery of one of South Africa’s most critical state-owned entities. Through the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), the UIF will inject over R382 million into SAPO over six months. The funds will provide immediate financial relief to 5 956 employees while enabling SAPO to implement a long-term turnaround strategy. “This is a bold and necessary step to protect workers and restore confidence in our public institutions,” said Meth. “The TERS programme is not just a financial mechanism – it is a strategic tool to stabilise employment, support economic recovery and ensure…

THE corruption case against former mayor of eThekwini municipality Zandile Gumede recommenced at the Durban High Court, with the State saying it wants to investigate the medical record of one of her co-accused after he suffered from a fracture of part of his spine and ribs. Gumede’s co-accused, Allan Robert Abbu, the former eThekwini deputy head of the Durban Solid Waste unit, is currently wheelchair-bound. He was present in court yesterday. Abbu, Gumede, and 20 others are facing multiple charges, including money laundering, racketeering, corruption, and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act and the Municipal Systems Act, related to a R300 million Durban Solid Waste (DSW) tender. The counsel appointed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), advocate Reshma Athmaram, told the court that the State had preliminary concerns with…

Immigration, asylum and refugee status have become controversial global issues and affect the politics of many countries. President Trump’s decision to grant refugee status to white Afrikaners is unique and makes a general political statement about South Africa. In only one other country this issue has emerged, namely. At three different points in time South African families applied for refugee status in Canada. The first one was granted in 2009 but revoked in 2014, the second one was in 2010, when their asylum application was denied but refugee status later granted, and in 2016 when their refugee status was also denied. The grounds on which refugee status is claimed are in all cases the same: the physical security situation is regarded as a threat to their lives, and it is…

The investment that has been made in the growth of South African youth football paid off on the continental stage on Sunday, as the Under-20 men’s national team won the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Amajita etched their names into the record books of continental football by winning their first-ever Africa youth championship. En route to the title on Sunday night, Amajita beat Morocco 1–0 at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, courtesy of a second-half goal by Gomolemo Kekana. That win means Amajita will head to the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Chile in September as African champions, surpassing the class of 1997 who finished as runners-up. South African youth football has been on the rise recently, with the Under-17 men’s national team – Amajimbos – also qualifying for…

Tensions are running high in South African football as the PSL faces mounting pressure to resolve the abandoned clash between SuperSport United and Lamontville Golden Arrows – a fixture whose outcome could determine relegation for three top-flight clubs. With the league campaign nearing its dramatic conclusion, concerns around transparency, governance, and potential conflicts of interest have come to the fore, as the PSL’s legal machinery works behind closed doors to reach a verdict that could reshape the bottom of the table. Earlier this week, Cape Town City FC chairman John Comitis expressed outrage over the league’s delay in resolving the matter – a decision that could directly impact his club’s survival, who are currently occupy 15th spot in the league table. Should they remain in that position, the Citizens will…