Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-25 i Cape Argus

THE Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) is seeking legal advice on appropriate actions to take following the investigation into systematic discrimination against black healthcare providers by medical schemes. This was announced by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. The minister was responding to parliamentary questions posed by ActionSA MP Kgosi Letlape, who wanted to know the measures he intended to implement to hold medical schemes accountable for the racial discrimination that was uncovered by the Independent Section 59 Panel. In his response, Motsoaledi said the CMS was in the process of procuring a firm of attorneys to develop a comprehensive legal opinion to advise it on appropriate actions to be implemented. “This opinion will assist CMS in systematically considering the associated risks and determining how to act against those identified in the…

CITY of Cape Town traffic services officials prevented a suicide attempt yesterday when a man attempted to jump off a footbridge. According to Traffic Service spokesperson, Maxine Bezuidenhout, the man was spotted on the Kalkfontein footbridge over the Stellenbosch arterial road. “A person thought to be in their late 20s tried to jump off the footbridge. Various services responded to the incident and managed to talk the man down,” Bezuidenhout said. Once the man was calm, he was taken to a police station, she added. Meanwhile, Sea Point police found the body of a man at the Sea Point Promenade yesterday morning. According to authorities, it was an apparent suicide by shooting. Ward councillor, Nicola Jowell, said: “It is terribly sad for him and his family that he felt he…

THE Western Cape High Court has dismissed the application from advocacy group My Vote Counts (MVC), which sought to have the Political Party Funding Act declared unconstitutional. This takes place as ActionSA, which opposed the application, welcomed the court’s judgment, saying the application was “misguided”. The judgment, handed down on Thursday, has prompted My Vote Counts to engage with its legal team to study the court’s decision. My Vote Counts initiated legal proceedings earlier this year, wanting the donation limitation and disclosure threshold declared unconstitutional on various grounds. The group contended that all donations should be made public to enhance transparency and accountability, and raised concerns regarding the lack of provisions to address cumulative donations from interconnected donors. In his judgment, Judge Nathan Erasmus determined that the challenge became moot…

THE Gauteng Department of Health will have to update and maintain the backlog list of cancer patients awaiting radiation oncology services and take all necessary steps to provide treatment to those patients, whether at public or private facilities. This is despite the department turning to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to appeal a judgment issued earlier, in terms of which it was ordered to come to the aid of these patients. While the pending appeal would ordinarily suspend the order, the Cancer Alliance, supported by Section27, turned to the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, to ask that the order remain in force pending the outcome of the appeal. Judge Fiona Dippenaar, in ruling in favour of the Cancer Alliance, stressed that the backlog meant that patients were being denied treatment…

THE City of Cape Town has asked residents for their thoughts on a big decision: selling its main share in the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The proposal has ignited a debate among City officials and opposition councillors, leaving residents puzzled about the details involved. The CTICC was originally set up by the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape government, and private businesses in 2003. Its main goal is to attract international and national events to Cape Town, helping the city's economy grow and creating jobs. The City currently owns the largest part of the CTICC (72.7%). Despite the CTICC's recovery since the Covid-19 pandemic, the City is looking into selling its shares. City spokesperson, Luthando Tyhalibongo, said the main reasons for considering the sale are: ◆ The…

Kwagga Smith doesn’t mind whether he starts or comes off the bench, as long as he plays for the Springboks, he’s content. The utility loose forward was thrust into the starting XV this past weekend against Australia in the Rugby Championship and played a defining role in the 30–22 victory. He scored a crucial try in the first half, giving the Boks a healthy lead at halftime. While he’s often made an impact off the bench for the world champions, injuries to Siya Kolisi, the suspension of Jasper Wiese, and Jean-Luc du Preez falling ill, saw Smith step up to wear the No 8 jersey in the second Test against the Wallabies. He put in a strong performance, and it will make him a contender to face the All Blacks…

Springbok supporters who were in bed before midnight on Saturday woke up to the surprise news that Argentina had beaten New Zealand 29-23 in Buenos Aires. It was a shock, mostly because the Kiwis had little trouble disposing of the temperamental Pumas 41-24 the week before. The victory marked the first-ever defeat of the All Blacks on Argentine soil and the fourth occasion in five years that the South Americans have prevailed over New Zealand. The teams first played each other in 1985, and the Pumas lost 36 games in a row before breaking their duck in a Covid-era match in Australia. The mighty aura of the All Blacks appears well and truly shattered, and the Argentina win has opened up the Rugby Championship, with all four teams having won…

The midweek round of the Betway Premiership brings Mzansi’s football fans to one of the most highly anticipated fixtures in the PSL, as Kaizer Chiefs prepare to host Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday. As the reigning champions take on their historic rivals, fans are bracing for what promises to be a thrilling encounter. With Tunisian coach Nasreddine Nabi expected to return to the sidelines, Chiefs supporters are eager to see how his strategies may differ from those employed by his assistant, Khalil Ben Youssef, who has led the team to a flawless start this season. Holding onto a perfect three-in-three record in the Premiership, Chiefs have not only won all their matches so far but have also kept clean sheets, a feat that will surely boost their…

THE City of Cape Town faces ongoing headaches as lobby group AfriForum has become the latest organisation to challenge its tariffs. It follows after the SA Property Owners Association (SAPOA) launched its own legal challenge against the City’s decision to link certain fixed charges to property values in its amended Hope Budget for 2025/26. The Cape Town Collective Ratepayers’ Association (CTCRA) has also submitted papers to join SAPOA’s case in having the City’s tariffs declared unconstitutional. The City’s budget has faced backlash over its fixed charges, namely the Cleaning Tariff, the Fixed Water Charge, and the Fixed Sanitation Charge. Now, AfriForum has launched its own court challenge against the City on an urgent basis arguing that it “does not have the power to use the value of a property to…

The community of Bonteheuwel has been left outraged after a three-month-old baby was shot on Friday. The baby boy was shot in Yellowwood Street when gunmen entered a home and opened fire. The child was rushed to the hospital, but died hours later. Police have confirmed that they are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder. Ward councillor, Angus McKenzie, praised brave residents who immediately jumped in and took the child to the hospital. He also thanked those who phoned the City’s emergency number and informed him. “Because of you, Metro Police and Law Enforcement have already launched a manhunt for the two suspects identified in this senseless attack,” McKenzie said. He said that on Thursday, political parties voted against the devolving of policing in the province, and this…

A CASE before the Eastern Cape High Court, in which it emerged that an attorney allegedly wrote a judgment on behalf of a magistrate to favour her clients, was described by a judge as “unprecedented in the annals of the judiciary in the country”. This followed an application by the SA Legal Practice Council, in which it asked the court that the name of attorney Zoleka Ponoane be struck from the roll of legal practitioners due to misconduct. The misconduct complained of occurred in the regional magistrate’s court at Sterkspruit, during 2012. Ponoane represented various plaintiffs in an action against the minister of police, based on alleged assaults, unlawful arrests and detentions by the police. The six plaintiffs were all represented by Ponoane as their attorney of record. After hearing…

The Proteas may have left Australia with their fifth straight ODI series triumph over their arch-rivals, but the road ahead to the 2027 World Cup remains a long one. The record-breaking 276-run defeat in the final match of the tour in Mackay on Sunday illustrated just how vulnerable the side remains. While it hardly diminished the excellence of their earlier play, which yielded comprehensive wins in the first two matches, the weaknesses in particular the seam bowling depth cannot be disguised. The Proteas were without Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger - both rested after their exertions on the first two-matches - and the injured Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen. But so were Australia devoid of their first-choice World Cup-winning pace trio of captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.…

The Springboks won’t forget their mishap at Ellis Park any time soon, but Saturday’s victory in the second Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Cape Town will serve as a massive panacea for that wound as they shift focus to New Zealand. Another positive for the Boks was Argentina’s gritty win over the All Blacks, which has blown the tournament wide open, with all four Southern Hemisphere teams now sitting on one win and one loss. The world champions, however, will head into their double Tests against the Kiwis with some winning momentum, following the 30–22 victory at DHL Stadium. South Africa will face New Zealand in Auckland (6 September) and Wellington (13 September). Those two games could determine whether the Boks defend their Rugby Championship title. As attention…

Marc Marquez’s remorseless march to a seventh world title continued on Sunday as he coasted to victory in the Hungarian MotoGP. The 32-year-old Spanish Ducati rider recorded his seventh successive sprint race/MotoGP double, beating compatriot Pedro Acosta on a KTM, with Marco Bezzecchi riding an Aprilia in third. Acosta's teammate, South Africa's Brad Binder, meanwhile, fought hards from 12th on the grid to finish seventh. Almost as eye-catching as Marquez’s performance — he is three wins short of equalling his career best of 10 consecutive MotoGP victories — was 2024 world champion Jorge Martin’s fourth place, after starting from a lowly 17th on the grid. Martin’s season has been disrupted by injury — something Marquez knows all too well — but now back to full fitness, he finally found some…

David Moyes said he was building the foundations of a brighter future for Everton after they beat Brighton 2-0 to begin a new era at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday. Jack Grealish was the star of the show with two assists on his first start for the Toffees as Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner struck either side of half-time. Jordan Pickford then saved a Danny Welbeck penalty to ensure a crowd of just under 52,000 could celebrate a momentous day for Everton. The club remain a work in progress on the field, with Moyes desperate to make more additions to his squad in the final week of the transfer window. But the green shoots of a brighter future were on show on a day that has been years in…

THE family of a Milnerton woman who mysteriously vanished with her dog and a friend’s vehicle three years ago said police have failed to follow up on vital leads or bring the family any closure. This was after two suspects were allegedly spotted inside the silver BMW 3 series with registration CA 591 135, just months after Ashleigh Crosbie, 50, disappeared. Crosbie went missing on September 18, 2022, with her dog named Bright. Crosbie has a tattoo at the back of her neck with the name “Carl”. She was attending a party in Rugby, Brooklyn, with her dog and had borrowed her friend’s BMW to run an errand and was never seen again. The family had entrusted the help of a private investigator, whom they paid R10 000, but said…

THE late Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s family has hailed the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government’s decision to declare his grave as a provincial heritage site. In partnership with the Buthelezi family, the provincial government will officially launch Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi’s Place of Rest as a provincial heritage site on Wednesday. The event will take place at the home of Buthelezi at the KwaPhindangene Royal Residence, Mahlabathini outside Ulundi in the north of the province. Speaking on behalf of the family, Buthelezi’s son, Inkosi Zuzifa Buthelezi said the move shows his father’s dedication to serving the public and having spent a little time with his family, was not in vain. Zuzifa Buthelezi said there were times when the family was aggrieved that their father deserted them to focus on other people’s well being.…

ZIMBABWE-listed hotelier, Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG), is expanding into South Africa with a $5.6 million (nearly R100 million) acquisition of a Cape Town commercial property it intends turning into a prime hotel. RTG, which runs city and resort hotels in Zimbabwe, said it was in the process of finalising the acquisition through its South African-registered subsidiary, RTG SA. RTG SA has entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Elleke Hospitality for the acquisition. Under the agreement, RTG will acquire the seven-storey commercial property located along Buitengracht Street in Cape Town. “The property, which is currently a commercial asset, will undergo adaptive reuse and refurbishment to transform it into a branded hotel operated under a leading international hospitality group,” said Tapiwa Mari, RTG company secretary. “The total consideration for the…

A foreign national who had to have his arm amputated will be compensated to the tune of R5.4 million by the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) for medical expenses and loss of earnings. This comes after the man was attacked on a train on August 26, 2017, at the Koeberg station in Cape Town. His unknown assailants pushed him through the open doors of the train. He underwent an above-elbow amputation of the left arm and sustained soft tissue injury to the lumbar spine. The man, who holds a matric-equivalent qualification from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was employed as a Code 14 driver at the time of the incident and has since been unable to work. He now assists his spouse as an informal trader selling fresh produce…

On August 16, 2012, 34 miners were gunned down by the bullets of the South African police while demanding nothing more than a living wage. Ten others had already been slain earlier that week under the same shadow, bringing the death toll to 44. History has since named this tragedy the Marikana Massacre, a wound reopened each year on its anniversary. For the victims and their families, little has changed to transform their lives or the fate of the broader community. Despite the mineral wealth beneath their feet, poverty still greets visitors as they enter Marikana. Residents speak of unchecked criminality, families struggle with basic needs such as healthcare, food, shelter, and a sense of neglect lingers. The town’s economic lifeblood is mining, a sector that predominantly employs men, leaving…

The Springbok Women’s team are up and running at the World Cup and looking red hot after routing Brazil 66-6 at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton. While the weakness of the opposition must be taken into account — Brazil are ranked 24th in the world, 12 places below the South Africans — the Bok Women stuck to their structures and ticked most of the boxes coach Swys de Bruin would have listed. Apart from a flat patch in the middle of the first half, the Boks were impressive. The Brazilians never gave up and tackled like terriers, making this an ideal opening game for South Africa as they had a valuable workout in match conditions. De Bruin will be pleased to have their first match out of the way, and attention…

World No 1 Jannik Sinner begins the defence of his US Open crown on Monday as the Italian looks to extend his remarkable dominance on hardcourt Grand Slams. The 24-year-old opens against unseeded Czech Vit Kopriva, aiming to become the first man since Roger Federer in 2008 to successfully defend the title in New York. Federer’s victory 17-years ago capped a run of five straight championships, the last time a man managed to retain the crown at Flushing Meadows. Sinner, who has already added back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2024 and 2025 to his collection, has not lost a Grand Slam match on hard courts since being beaten by Alexander Zverev in the fourth round of the US Open two years ago. The Italian’s bid for successive titles, however, is…

Sipho Chaine once again proved he has a safe pair of hands, emerging as one of the heroes in Orlando Pirates’ march to the MTN8 final for the fourth time in a row on Saturday. Pirates beat rivals Mamelodi Sundowns 4-1 on penalties in the semi-final, after the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate over two legs. The second leg was played in Atteridgeville on Saturday, where Iqraam Rayners opened the scoring for Sundowns before Kamogelo Sebelebele found the equaliser. Sebelebele, who also scored in the 1-1 draw in the first leg, bagged his second goal of the tie and claimed the Player of the Match award. Chaine, however, had the final laugh. He saved Sundowns’ first two penalties out of three, while his teammates converted all four of theirs. This…

A week after winning their Ligue 1 opener with 10 men, Rennes played almost the whole game at Lorient on Sunday with nine, but this time lost 4-0. “We need aggression,” said Rennes coach Habib Beye. “Last year we didn’t have enough, now we have too much.” The trouble for Rennes once again started before kick-off. Last week, central defender Mikayil Faye overslept and missed the season-opening win over Marseille, in which another defender, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, was sent off and suspended for Sunday’s game. With right-back Przemyslaw Frankowski injured, Moussa Al-Tamari was due to take over at wing-back but the Jordanian arrived late for a pre-match meeting and was dropped by Beye. Mahdi Camara, a summer arrival from Saint-Étienne, stepped in for his Rennes debut. It lasted four minutes.…