Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-09-12 i Cape Argus

Cata deputy chairperson, Mnikeli Mgope, has become the latest victim of the escalating taxi violence in the province. The 61-year-old was shot dead on Wednesday night at the Nyanga taxi rank while seated inside his white Toyota Fortuner. The killing comes amid renewed violence over the disputed Somerset West–Khayelitsha route between Cata and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta). Although the two rival associations signed a peace agreement in June, tensions reignited soon afterwards, leaving more than 10 taxi owners and drivers dead. According to insiders, Mgope had been operating in the Wynberg area. Cata spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi explained that Mgope was preparing to go when unknown men attacked him. “He was alone when he was killed. We don't know the reason he was murdered. And we…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is set to reopen an inquest into the 1977 death of Black Consciousness Movement leader Steve Biko. The inquest which will be re-opened today, follows the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development’s approval which was supported by the legal representatives of the Biko family. Early this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate whether attempts were made to obstruct investigations or prosecution of apartheid-era crimes. This comes after veteran journalist Lukhanyo Calata, the son of Fort Calata, one of four anti-apartheid activists from Cradock, assassinated by the government in 1985, along with other families and the Foundation for Human Rights (FHR) brought a legal challenge before the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria for gross human rights violations under…

Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Zuko Godlimpi, says the government is taking concrete steps to protect South Africa’s domestic tyre manufacturing industry, following the closure of the Goodyear plant in Kariega and broader pressures facing the local automotive sector. Godlimpi told Parliament on Wednesday, during a session where ministers in the Economic Cluster were responding to questions from MPs, that the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) is “deeply concerned” about the closure of the Goodyear facility, which threatens approximately 900 jobs. However, Goodyear indicated the closure process was already finalised and the company was unwilling to transfer its technology to any new owner. “Without a technical partner, there is no credible offer that can be put on the table,” said Godlimpi. He explained that efforts were…

Doesn't the name Ratanga Junction just bring back a flood of memories? The second I flipped through some old photo albums, memories returned of those golden summers filled with adventures, sticky fingers, dodgy haircuts and way too much sunburn. Our childhoods revolved around a rotation of beach days, swimming at the Sea Point or Strand indoor pools that left us smelling of chlorine and sunblock for day, and the holy grail of outings: a day at Ratanga Junction. The very sight of that colourful entrance promised pure chaos in the best way. You knew you were in for a day of screaming your lungs out, dodging splashes, and standing in those endless queues that were somehow part of the fun. I remember going there with friends, cousins, aunties, uncles, you…

Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper Sage Stephens says his team’s resilience makes them a dangerous opponent in tomorrow’s MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates at Mbombela Stadium (6pm kick-off). The clash promises to set the tone for the season, with both teams chasing early silverware to inject momentum into their league campaigns. While Stellies remain a club on the rise, the memory of last year’s 3-1 defeat to Pirates in the same final still lingers. Adding to the challenge, the Cape Winelands side enter the fixture on the back of a shaky start to their league season. Stephens, however, believes that contesting back-to-back finals reflects the significant strides the club has made in recent years, with last year’s loss not putting them in a make-or-break situation heading into this weekend. “I have been…

It’s been eight years since South Africa last won a medal at the World Athletics Championships. After a spectacular showing at the 2017 event, the South Africans have returned home empty-handed from the last four editions of the world champs. In 2017, South Africa won six medals, with Wayde van Niekerk (400m), Caster Semenya (800m) and Luvo Manyonga (long jump) all winning gold. Van Niekerk also claimed silver in the 200m, while Semenya (1,500m) and Ruswahl Samaai (long jump) brought home bronze. Since then, Mzansi’s athletes haven’t stood on the podium, but there is renewed optimism ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships, which begin in Tokyo this weekend. 2024 Paris Olympics silver medallist Akani Simbine will lead the 49-strong South African team, which also features track athletes such as…

The State has suggested that a trial within a trial be held by the court to determine whether a forensic company that investigated former eThekwini mayor Gumede was irregularly appointed. Integrity Forensic Solutions CC (IFS) was appointed by eThekwini’s CIIU (City Integrity and Investigations Unit) to investigate irregularities in the R320 million Durban Solid Waste (DSW) tender. IFS compiled an report on its findings, and this led to Gumede and her 21 co-accused being charged with fraud, corruption, and racketeering, among other charges. Jay Naidoo SC, representing Gumede, was cross-examining a State witness who was part of the management at the CIIU, when prosecutor Reshma Athmaram objected to questions Naidoo had put to the witness- regarding when IFS had received its letter of appointment from the municipality. She further objected…

THE Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure has expressed its dissatisfaction over the absence of the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, during a crucial committee meeting. His absence on Tuesday, along with the late submission of important documents, has frustrated committee members who were prepared to discuss significant issues related to accountability and transparency within the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). Despite his apology, the committee deemed his absence insufficient. Macpherson was expected to deliver updates on vital matters such as the Immovable Assets Register and progress reports on the Telkom Towers accommodation and maintenance activities. The committee, led by chairperson Carol Phiri, has been particularly concerned with its repeated requests for full access to forensic reports. During the meeting, members underscored the importance…

COMMUNICATIONS and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has again defended the decision to align the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) regulations with the B-BBEE framework. In a written response to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Mazwikayise Blose, Malatsi said the draft policy direction he issued to Icasa sought to ensure that regulations aligned with the empowerment framework as envisaged by amendments to the Electronic Communications Act. He said these amendments shifted the focus from rigid individual equity ownership to a broader approach that includes mechanisms such as Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes (EEIPs) and deemed ownership. Malatsi said Icasa’s current regulations, which applied a fixed 30% equity rule, did not reflect the broader scope. “The draft policy direction, therefore, seeks to correct this inconsistency, allowing transformation to be achieved…

THE clock is ticking for the Class of 2025 with just 40 days left before the final National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam. The exams are set to begin on Tuesday, October 21 and will run until Wednesday, November 26. Thousands of Grade 12 learners are entering the final stretch of preparation for what is considered the most crucial assessment of their school career. Nearly 22 000 learners attended the province’s #BackOnTrack Winter School during the winter break. The programme held in all eight districts, offered revision classes for key subjects. Learners will have access to extra classes during the spring break, while weekend revision sessions have been running during the third term. The Western Cape Education Department has also delivered its annual Matric Support booklet to schools, the guide contains…

“Leave everything on the field. We will carry you off if you are too tired to walk at the end of it. This is the biggest game of your life, go out and enjoy it.” This was the clear and emphatic message from Springbok Women’s coach Swys de Bruin to his charges ahead of their historic Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand’s Black Ferns tomorrow afternoon (2pm kick-off). With this in mind, De Bruin has decided to go with a 7-1 bench split in favour of his forwards for the clash, when he announced his team on Thursday — looking at his big pack of forwards to empty their tanks in their first-ever World Cup knockout match. De Bruin also welcomed back his key players for the match,…

A PLACE in this year’s Currie Cup final is the big prize on offer tomorrow when the Lions host Boland in a 5pm semi-final, and the Cheetahs travel to Kimberley to face Griquas at 7:15pm. The Lions secured pole position on the final log with a commanding 37-7 victory over Griquas last weekend, meaning they will be brimming with confidence heading into the semi-final. The Johannesburg outfit’s form this season has been impressive — they finished top of the log thanks to five wins from seven matches. Their only two losses came against the Cheetahs (47-31) and Boland (29-10), both on the road. The latter result will no doubt serve as extra motivation — the Lions will be keen to avenge that loss and continue their dominance at Ellis Park.…

Nottingham Forest's new manager Ange Postecoglou is adamant he can handle the pressure of turning his club into trophy winners as he prepares for his debut against Arsenal tomorrow. Postecoglou was hired by Forest earlier this week, returning to the Premier League just three months after being sacked by Tottenham. The Australian, who lost his job at Tottenham 16 days after winning the Europa League, arrived at the City Ground following Nuno Espirito Santo's dismissal. Nuno fell out with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis over the club's transfer policy and paid the price despite leading them to European qualification for the first time in 30 years. Marinakis hailed Postecoglou's appointment by insisting Forest are ready to challenge for silverware. That might seem an ambitious statement given Forest have not won a…

Kraaifontein has been rocked by a triple murder as residents took the law into their own hands. The three men accused of criminal activity were killed vigilante style and their bodies were set alight by community members. The incident took place in Laboheme Street, Wallacedene, on Wednesday night, just a day after three double murders in the area after four women and two men were killed in three separate shooting incidents. Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said that police became aware of the incident around 10pm and are following every lead to arrest those responsible. “SAPS detectives are pursuing every possible lead to trace and arrest those responsible for a brutal vigilante-style murder last night in Kraaifontein, in which three men in their thirties were killed and set alight,” Traut…

NATIONAL Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams says he has a plan to tackle ongoing gang violence despite his silence being questioned. This follows after community safety groups asked where he was. One person said: “Waa’s die coloured warrior Fadiel so stil? (Why is our Coloured warrior Fadiel so quiet?) Any coloured leader or councillor for that matter. Hulle is almal stil (They are all quiet) while our flats bleeds and our children die.” Adams told the Cape Argus’ sister newspaper, the Daily Voice he had a solution to the scourge of gang violence. “I work and live in the most dangerous area in the country by choice because I believe we can save the situation,” he said. “I was the one who called for the motorcade to travel through…

TRANSPORT Minister Barbara Creecy announced on Wednesday that her department plans to publish new regulations this month, which will incorporate e-hailing services into the national regulatory framework. Creecy said the new regulations will require e-hailing operators to obtain operating licences and to ensure their services are authorised and safe. “These rules establish clear standards for quality and security, support legal compliance, and aim to reduce conflict between operators while improving overall safety,” Creecy said. She was responding in the National Assembly when EFF chief whip Nontando Nolutshungu asked her about measures her department will implement to protect e-hailing drivers and foster harmony within the taxi industry following the surge in violence targeting e-hailing operators, with the recent incidents reported at Maponya Mall in Gauteng. As part of the roll-out, Creecy…

THE manufacturing of illegal alcohol is becoming more sophisticated, making it difficult to identify illicit products, says the South African Liquor Brand owners Association (Salba). The organisation was reacting to a recent police operation which resulted in the arrest of seven people following the discovery of thousands of litres of ethanol at an illegal alcohol manufacturing facility in Klapmuts in the Cape Winelands. The five men aged between 25 and 43 and two women, both aged 20, were arrested on Monday at a building along the R44 in Klapmuts, where alcohol production equipment was found. Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said: “Members of the Maitland Flying Squad followed up on information about a facility manufacturing illegal alcohol. The members visited the premises on the R44 in Klapmuts and found alcohol…

The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, will deliver its judgment today, exactly half an hour before the Netflix three-part documentary, Beauty and the Bester, is due to air at 9am on South African screens, on whether the series may be screened. Judge Sulet Potterill reserved her judgment on the matter to today, after asking Netflix when the true-crime series will be made available to viewers across the globe. Convicted rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, and his life partner, Nandipha Magudumana, turned to the court for an urgent order halting the screening of the series. It was argued on behalf of both of them that Netflix should hold the series until their criminal trial is over. Counsel for both argued that they will be seen in a bad light if the 300…

Donovan Ferreira had been waiting impatiently for 10 months to get another crack in a Proteas T20I shirt. The hard-hitting Titan has spent all this time honing his trade in franchise leagues all around the world, ranging from India’s IPL to MLC in the US and The Hundred in England, in a bid to win back his place in the national team. The main obstacle was, of course, the presence of two of the finest short-format “finishers” in David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen within the Proteas’ middle-order. But with Miller ruled out of the England series after picking up a hamstring strain and Klaasen now retired from international cricket, the opportunity was finally on the horizon. Unfortunately, it was presented on a "shambles of a night” at a rain-soaked Sophia…

The youngest member of the Proteas women’s squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is Karabo Meso, who is only 17 years of age. The wicket-keeper/batter was playing in the under-19 women’s World Cup at 15 years of age two years ago, and now finds herself in the senior team, on the plane to represent the country in the World Cup. She admitted that she had never planned to be where she is so early and that she had given herself at least five years to break into the senior team. As a result, when the Convenor of Selectors, Clinton du Preez, gave her a call to confirm that she is in the World Cup squad, she was ecstatic. “I've given myself to be in this team in…

During their 1-1 draw against African heavyweights Nigeria, Bafana Bafana showed a temperament never seen before. No longer 'The Boys, The Boys' (the Zulu translation of Bafana Bafana), the team's performance and character changed significantly, becoming more resilient and less like its youthful moniker. They demonstrated an unexpected level of maturity and resilience, showcasing a newfound character that might prove pivotal in the future. Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, has been the architect of this transformation, steering the team towards a mentality that prioritises gritty determination over flashy football. Following a match where South Africa frustrated a star-studded Nigerian side, Broos commended his players for their fighting spirit and collective resolve, insisting that it was no longer just about flair, but about battling for every inch on the pitch. Bafana's past…

The MTN8 final returns to the Mbombela Stadium tomorrow at 6pm, and all eyes will be on Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch as they battle for the first piece of silverware this season. Pirates, the defending champions, have made this competition their own in recent years, while Stellenbosch are chasing a historic first top-flight trophy. With the stakes high, the spotlight will not only be on seasoned campaigners like Deon Hotto and Andre De Jong, but also on the youngsters eager to stamp their authority on the big stage. For some, it is an opportunity to prove that their promising starts are no fluke. For others, it is about reigniting their form after slow beginnings. Finals are remembered for moments, and several fresh faces have the potential to provide them on…