Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-09-11 i Cape Argus

The Map That Leads to You has many of the makings to be a memorable romantic comedy. The Amazon Prime Video movie’s lead stars – Madelyn Cline and New Zealand actor KJ Apa – are emerging talents with this production being the biggest of their careers so far. However, their lack of chemistry sees them fail to deliver convincing performances of two young lovers from different parts of the world who risk it all to live happily ever after. Their love story also takes place in picturesque Europe, but not even these splendid settings of historical architecture, crystal clear ocean waters and vibrant city life could save this bland production. The Map That Leads to You, directed by Lasse Hallström, is an adaptation of the novel of the same name…

Western Cape’s latest Policing Needs and Priorities (PNP) report has laid bare the scale of underfunding, police shortages, and persistent gang violence, with the provincial government warning that without urgent reform, communities will remain trapped in cycles of crime and fear. Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais said while the province does not hold operational control over the SAPS, the PNP provides the critical evidence base to influence national policing policy and the allocation of resources. “Our power lies in policy influence, particularly through research-based, evidence-driven recommendations. The PNP reflects our oversight goal, bridging the gap between the lived realities of our communities and the policy frameworks that determine policing outcomes,” Marais said during the province’s latest safety digicon yesterday. She explained that the report, grounded in Section…

International Relations Minister, Ronald Lamola has reiterated the country’s determination to seek justice in its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), saying the goal is to protect the Palestinian people’s very existence and guarantee the equitable application of international law everywhere. Addressing a joint sitting of the Portfolio Committees on International Relations and Justice in Parliament yesterday, Lamola emphasised that South Africa’s actions are rooted in its international legal obligations and a broader commitment to global peace and human rights. “South Africa instituted proceedings before the ICJ to preserve the existence of the Palestinian people as a group, and to end all acts of apartheid and genocide against them,” said Lamola. Lamola’s remarks come amid heightened global concern following Israel’s recent military strike on Qatar…

In a move aimed to make things much easier for motorists, the City of Cape Town has launched its first vehicle licensing renewal drive-through facility in Brackenfell. The City said “the step makes it quicker for motorists to renew their vehicle licence discs, on average within five minutes”. The facility is situated on the corner of Reservoir and Kruispad roads in Brackenfell and will operate Mondays to Fridays from 11.30am to 7.30pm and on Saturdays from 11.30am to 2.30pm. The City said that “as agents for the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), it was working to extend operating hours on weekdays. Once finalised, the new times will be shared with the public. Over the months, we are going to be exploring other suitable drive-through facilities”. It said the drive-through service…

As south Africa observes Suicide Prevention Month, Kim Vermaak, an author, book coach, and advocate for paternal mental health, is calling attention to the often-ignored suffering of mothers. In a country where suicide is a leading cause of maternal death, Vermaak aims to spotlight the urgent need for support for mothers. According to the National Committee for Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths (2018), suicide accounted for 1% of maternal deaths in South Africa between 2014 and 2016, a statistic echoed globally, where it represents 39% of direct maternal deaths within six weeks to 12 months postpartum, according to the Maternal Mental Health Alliance. “These statistics are not just numbers; they represent mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends,” Vermaak emphasises. Having experienced postpartum depression with all three of her children, Vermaak understands…

Former Proteas master blaster Heinrich Klaasen has offered Betway SA20 record signing Dewald Brevis sage advice on dealing with the pressure of his hefty new price tag. Brevis, 22, became the most expensive player in SA20 history on Tuesday after the Pretoria Capitals won a bidding war with the Joburg Super Kings to secure his signature for R16.5 million at the Season 4 player auction. Klaasen, who will feature for Durban’s Super Giants, knows all about big-money T20 deals, having been retained by IPL outfit Sunrisers Hyderabad for $2.73 million (R48.2 million) last year. “It’s quite easy to be fair,” Klaasen joked, about handling the price-tag pressure. “But seriously though, it’s what he has done before to get him that price tag. It’s not about what he’s going to do.…

There was a moment in the Betway SA20 auction when everyone inside The Galleria was transported back to Nairobi’s Gymkhana at the turn of the millennium. The match: The ICC Champions Trophy Final. Two fiercely competitive captains, Stephen Fleming from New Zealand, going up against the Prince of Bengal, India’s Sourav Ganguly. On that day, it was Fleming that emerged victorious - despite a Ganguly century - with his Black Caps as New Zealand claimed their first-ever major ICC silverware. Twenty-five years later it seemed like Ganguly had not forgotten that fateful day and was intent on revenge. Now wearing his Pretoria Capitals hat as the franchise’s new head coach, Ganguly has seen off another old rival in Paarl Royals’ Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara and was now locked in…

In a significant ruling, three women have been sentenced by the Plettenberg Bay Regional Court for their roles in a brothel operation in George, Western Cape. Nigerian nationals Patience Precious Abudu, 35, Success Egabor, 42, and South African Nontobeko Mathunjwa, 36, faced several charges, including trafficking in persons, running a brothel, and living off the proceeds of prostitution. The trio pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them. This follows their arrest by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks). The provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani said the women were arrested between December 2023 and May 2024 by members of the Hawks’ Economic Protected Resources team in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs for their involvement in trafficking in persons. “It…

A SUSPENDED banker who was previously denied bail is set to bring a new application on new facts before the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court. Raed Cupido, 40, and his co-accused Christopher Carelse returned to court yesterday, via audiovisual remand (AVR) from the Pollsmoor Correctional Facility. Cupido was arrested in June with 15 bricks of cocaine with an estimated street value of R18 million, an AK-103 rifle, Uzi Pro rifle, five semi-automatic firearms and 130 rounds of ammunition inside a storage unit in Roeland Street. The State claims he and Carelse are so-called “first receivers” of drugs smuggled into the Western Cape. The court heard that Cupido is expected to bring a new bail application on new facts, after he and his co-accused were previously denied bail. The court heard in…

A parliamentary committee wants the National Treasury to explain the R270 million that is reportedly allocated to the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) to fund the National Dialogue. This comes after Minister Maropene Ramokgopa and Acting Director-General Melancton Makobe told the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Portfolio Committee that there was no allocation in the department’s budget. Ramokgopa and Makobe appeared before the committee after the former received correspondence from MK Party MP Mzwanele Manyi, where he apparently accused the minister of diverting budget towards the National Dialogue. She stated that her department was not responsible for funding any activities related to the National Dialogue. “The National Dialogue is a presidential initiative led by the deputy president through the Inter-Ministerial-Committee (IMC).” Ramokgopa also said the secretariat services to the…

FOR years, the university experience for students with disabilities has been overshadowed by limited opportunities in sports, a stark contrast to their active lives in school. Recognising this gap, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) has announced the launch of the Para Sports Initiative, an innovative programme aimed at reintegrating these students into the world of athletics. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSwD) and UWC Sport. The framework of the initiative is founded on the idea that “para” means parallel rather than paraplegic, signifying an effort to create sports that run alongside mainstream activities. “Students with disabilities shouldn’t feel excluded from university life,” said Craig Loubser, the OSwD Administrative Assistant focused on student wellness and support. The programme kicked off with…

ANOTHER taxi driver has been killed in the clash over routes, and Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) is warning of a looming taxi war. Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said they were investigating the latest taxi-related shooting which took place on Tuesday at about 9.50pm, in Mpozolo Street, Browns Farm. “A 48-year-old man was shot and fatally wounded.” The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds, Twigg said. “The suspects fled and are yet to be arrested. The motive for the attack is yet to be determined.” The victim was a taxi owner and a member of Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata), whose vehicles operated in an uncontested route from Elsies River to Parow. “The last time I saw the member was on Tuesday afternoon. I even joked with…

In a do-or-die Rugby Championship clash, Rassie Erasmus and his coaching staff have backed the next generation of Springbok backs to deliver on one of rugby’s most unforgiving stages against the All Blacks. For some, it might seem an audacious plan by the Boks, especially because they are fighting to stay in the hunt for the Championship title they currently hold. Another loss could put them on the back foot and possibly out of the running. However, the youthful flair, raw energy, and creativity among the backs for the duel at the Cake Tin in Wellington (9.05am kick-off) could prove to be the difference between the sides. During the first Test at Eden Park, the tried-and-tested combinations did not work, and something had to be done to freshen things up…

Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper Sage Stephens insists that past results against Orlando Pirates will not influence their upcoming MTN8 final at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday (6pm kick-off). Instead, he says, the Cape Winelands side sees the final as a chance to recover from a slow start to the league season. With history ready to be made by either club, coach Steve Barker and his squad are focused on taking advantage of this opportunity. Stellies will be participating in the club’s third-ever final. Having won the Carling Knockout in 2024— their only top-flight trophy to date — they will now get another chance to lift a trophy that eluded them last season, when they lost 3-1 to the Buccaneers at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Stephens, part of the side that suffered the heartbreaking…

Txiki Begiristain admits he’ll be supporting Manchester City as a fan now as one of the three clubs he follows from afar. Begiristain was Director of Football at the Blues for 13 years and an integral figure in their rise to becoming one of the biggest clubs in the world. The 61-year-old now plans to spend plenty of time with his family after a long and distinguished career in the game. But he says when he does check out the football scores, City will be very much on his mind. “I have three clubs!” he said to Man City's media team. “One is Sociedad, where I grew up, the second one is Barcelona, of course; and then it’s going to be City. I’ll see how I feel watching. “I’m going…

Pumas flyhalf Clinton Swart is set to join the Stormers on a short-term contract to help ease their mini flyhalf crisis ahead of the start of the United Rugby Championship (URC) later this month. The inaugural champions currently have only one fit senior flyhalf available, Jurie Matthee, after Jean-Luc du Plessis picked up an injury this past Saturday against the Boland Cavaliers in the Currie Cup. Du Plessis, who was meant to get some game time under his belt, suffered an ankle syndesmosis injury in the first half. Initially, it did not look too serious as he walked off the field, but IOL Sport has since confirmed that he will be sidelined for three to four months. This leaves Matthee to hold the fort, with Springboks Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian…

Warner Bros. Pictures has unveiled the much-anticipated first trailer for Wuthering Heights. Directed by Emerald Fennell, the film is set to release in 2026; however, this adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic 1847 novel is causing a stir, particularly for its provocative scenes featuring lead actors Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. In the trailer, Elordi takes on the role of Heathcliff, who is seen asking Robbie’s character, Catherine, in a charged moment, “Do you want me to stop?” As he touches her stomach, she softly replies, “No.” The trailer features a soundtrack by Charli XCX, including her original song Everything Is Romantic, which adds a modern twist to the classic tale. Other cast include Hong Chau as Nelly Dean, Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton and Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton. Martin…

POLICE have made a breakthrough following the killing of six people, four women and two men, in Kraaifontein in less than 24 hours. A 49-year-old suspect was arrested in the suburb, and the firearm allegedly used in the attacks was recovered from a shop owned by a foreign national. Three other foreign nationals, including the shop owner, were also arrested for possession of the illegal firearm and ammunition, which has been sent for ballistics testing. National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed that the arrests are currently linked to one double murder of two women, while police continue conducting identity parades and following leads to determine connections to the other killings. “Our members are still on the ground; we cannot rule out the possibility of effecting more arrests in this case,”…

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has given the breakdown of the R147.8 million to be spent on the Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system. In a written reply to parliamentary questions by EFF MP Vuyani Pambo, Kubayi said the preliminary estimated total cost of the commission was approximately R147.898 million. “The current cost breakdown is as follows: commissioners, evidence leaders, and legal researchers R64 million, support staff R4.983 million, and operational logistics R78.890 million. “These are preliminary estimates and will be refined with the Secretary of the Commission to align with the available budget,” she said. The commission will be held at the Brigette Mabandla Justice College at no cost to the department. “The department will report the actual expenditure…

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille made sure to put her foot forward in luring investors for several projects at the inaugural Tourism Investment Summit, a G20 legacy project. The Investment Summit comes in the lead-up to the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting, taking place in Mpumalanga. The purpose of the Tourism Ministers’ Meeting is to discuss and agree on key priorities for the G20’s action plan on tourism development. The Tourism Investment Summit sees global leaders, policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders convene in Cape Town to drive and develop a robust investment pipeline for South Africa’s tourism industry. In her address, De Lille said it is no cliché to say South Africa is the most beautiful country in the world, “but the question before us today is not whether South Africa…

Employees who were unfairly dismissed due to participating in an unprotected strike will be reinstated after the Labour Court in Cape Town made a recent ruling. The 23 employees were joined in their legal battle by their trade union, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), when they went up against their employer, Baseline Civil Contractors. The Labour Court also ruled that the employees be compensated with 16 months’ back pay arising from their retrospective reinstatement. The workers contested the fairness of their dismissals for allegedly participating in an unprotected strike on December 9, 12, 13, and 14, 2022, and for gross insubordination in failing to comply with lawful instructions in the form of ultimatums to return to work. They conceded that they participated in the strike; however, when they returned…

September is Arbour Month, and Forestry South Africa (FSA) has taken the opportunity to highlight the vital role of planted forests in protecting the country’s indigenous tree species and the importance of collaboration beyond the boundaries of commercial forestry areas. South Africa has 1.2 million hectares (ha) of commercial timber plantations across Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape. Before the establishment of commercial plantations more than a century ago, wood for fuel and building was sourced from indigenous forests, pushing them to the brink of collapse. By offering a renewable alternative for the country’s timber needs, commercial plantations ensured that the remaining indigenous forests were safeguarded from harvesting. Over the past 100 years, the forestry sector has not only supplied sustainably sourced timber but also conserved more…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has praised his side’s grit and resilience following their hard-fought draw against Nigeria at the Free State Stadium, insisting it was not about flair but about fighting for every inch on the pitch. The Belgian tactician was glowing in his assessment after seeing his side frustrate the Super Eagles, who arrived with a squad packed with big names but were unable to outplay South Africa’s determined unit. “The best team will win the game and not the team with the best players and I think the proof is there,” Broos said. "So, the performance that my team put up (Tuesday) made me enormously proud. It was not good football but the way they fought for every metre and every ball. This is nice to see…

Nothing lights up a batter’s eyes more in white-ball cricket than a no-ball. They know what’s coming next — a free hit, a golden opportunity to swing freely with no risk of being dismissed. It’s a rare moment of pressure-free aggression. The Springbok Women find themselves in a similar position ahead of their Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash against the mighty New Zealand Black Ferns on Saturday (2pm kick-off at Sandy Park). This match feels like a “free-hit” for the South African side — a shot at something big, with nothing to lose. The Bok Women have already achieved their main objective at the tournament: reaching the quarter-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. That milestone alone has made their campaign a successful one. Now, with no external…