Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-10-10 i Cape Argus

Frontline Urban Waste Management staff in Cape Town are facing an alarming surge of hijackings and violent attacks, putting their lives at risk and disrupting essential waste collection services relied upon by hundreds of thousands of residents. The City's Urban Waste Management Directorate has condemned the ongoing incidents, which have affected multiple critical departments, including Cleansing, Collections, Disposal, and Public Awareness. Between July 2024 and June 2025, a total of 57 hijackings of service vehicles were reported, with a high concentration in the Cape Flats and parts of the Overberg subregion. Only 21 of the hijacked vehicles have been recovered. The incidents include the hijacking of Bingo, the City’s anti-litter mascot, and his driver. Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Grant Twigg, described the attacks as “unacceptable” and emphasised…

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola explained that the removal of dockets is not just something that can be done on whim, but that it requires permission and communication with the provincial police commissioner. Masemola was responding to questions raised by Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee chief evidence leader, Advocate Norman Arendse SC, as he appeared before the committee investigating political interference in policing structures. KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi had given testimony on the Political Killing Task Team (PKTT) where he said that he questioned both the timing and authorship of the directive, which also froze vacancies within Crime Intelligence and gave instructions relating to border security. A letter addressed solely to national commissioner Fannie Masemola, was not shared with Mkhwanazi or any of the operational leaders of the…

The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (Safcei) is sounding the alarm over Eskom’s controversial plans regarding the Koeberg Nuclear Power Plant, as discussions heat up around a potential 20-year licence extension for Unit 2. Experts, including Safcei’s Executive Director Francesca de Gasparis, argue that the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) is poised to approve the extension based on absent, outdated, and incomplete safety data – a decision that they claim violates the spirit and letter of South Africa’s nuclear safety regulations. At the heart of this mounting controversy lies Eskom’s Time-Limited Ageing Analysis (TLAA), a new engineering report that seeks to assess the condition of Unit 2 by extrapolating data from the completely different Unit 1 reactor. “This is not science; it is dangerous wishful thinking that could put…

SOUTH Africa is home to over 400 registered political parties – a staggering number for a country of just over 60 million people. At first glance, this might appear to be a hallmark of a vibrant, participatory democracy. In reality, it is a symptom of a deeper malaise – a society where too many people, often unemployed and lacking in economic opportunity, turn to politics not out of ideological conviction or a desire to serve, but as a means of personal survival and upward mobility. The proliferation of political parties is not a sign of a healthy democracy. It is a reflection of economic desperation and the failure of our society to channel ambition into productive, wealth-generating avenues. The alarming number of political entrepreneurs – many with no track record…

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah scored twice to help Egypt beat Djibouti 3-0 in Casablanca on Wednesday, sealing their place at the 2026 Fifa World Cup. The 33-year-old has now netted nine goals in a marathon qualifying campaign that began two years ago, and Egypt’s victory gave them an unassailable five-point lead over Burkina Faso in Group A. Twice African Footballer of the Year, Salah helped Liverpool win the Premier League for a record-equalling 20th time last season and captured the Golden Boot with 29 goals. However, the Egypt captain has struggled for form with Liverpool this season, scoring just three goals in nine matches in all competitions. Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring for Egypt in the eighth minute, with Salah doubling the lead six minutes later and adding a third…

Ladysmith Black Mambazo Experience the Grammy-winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo live, celebrating traditional isicathamiya music with classics and new arrangements as they bring their smooth harmonies and Zulu rhythms to the stage. Their sound blends storytelling, faith, and feel-good energy that’s kept them iconic for decades. Where: Artscape Theatre. When: From today to Sunday, at 7pm and 3pm. Fresh Faces Cape Town’s rising stars are stepping into the spotlight at this highly anticipated talent showcase, presented by Real Art World (RAW) and Eighteen Entertainment. Sixteen of Cape Town’s most promising performers will go head-to-head for the title and a R15k performance package. Headlined by Rowlene, the event will serve up a mix of singers, dancers, actors, poets, comedians, and rappers. Where: Baxter Concert Hall. When: Tomorrow at 6pm. Kind Regards Paul…

The remains of a teenage girl have been found buried in a shallow grave with a Blackberry cellphone next to it, which could indicate a timeline when the victim may have died. According to data on the Blackberry cellphone range, it was discontinued in 2013. Detectives in Welkom now hope this will be the key in finding out who the girl was. Missing persons organisations in the Western Cape are also rallying to assist, sharing a statement that was issued by police and including digging into the case profiles of girls who have gone missing in that location. Welkom police said the teen was found buried in a grave at Doorn, still dressed in a black hooded jacket with the brand name “SWAGA” printed on the pockets. “A chilling discovery…

THE body of a baby was discovered in Zeekoevlei on Wednesday. This comes just a week after a baby was found dumped in a dirty canal in Lwandle and brings the total to six abandoned babies found dead in recent weeks. The foetus was discarded in Coastal Park. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirmed that the circumstances surrounding this incident are now under investigation. Swartbooi reported: “Muizenberg police responded to a complaint on October 8. Upon arrival at the crime scene in Coastal Park at about 5pm they found a foetus. “Medical personnel who responded to the call for assistance declared the victim deceased on the scene. Muizenberg police registered an inquest for further investigation.” Siya Monakali of Ilitha Labantu, an organisation which advocates for the rights of women…

More than 300 people have been displaced after a sewerage pipe burst, leading to flooded homes in the Kanana informal settlement, Khayelitsha. Residents have been temporarily housed with relatives while authorities work on resolving the crisis. Ward Councillor Lucky Mbiza explained the chain of events: “There was a sinkhole next to a nearby drain, and we called the City of Cape Town, and they came to fix it. As they were busy, the sewerage pipe burst and caused havoc.” He said the raw sewage spread across the settlement, forcing the evacuation of 110 homes and leaving 350 people homeless. “We asked the Gift of the Givers to assist, and they came. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure the local community hall because the people couldn’t go back to their homes.…

TODAY marks World Mental Health Day, coinciding with the return of Cape Town's kite festival that has championed mental health awareness for over three decades. As colourful kites prepare to soar above Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery, the event shines a spotlight on this year's critical theme: the devastating impact of violence on South African mental health. The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) has chosen "Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies" as this year's global theme, while the South African Federation of Mental Health (SAFMH) highlights "Addressing Violence as a Significant Challenge to Mental Health in South Africa". Cape Mental Health says living with ongoing gang and gender-based violence, alcohol and drug-related incidents, and taxi wars, has severe mental health consequences. Exposure to violence can…

Somerset Mall is currently undergoing a significant expansion, set to open in phases without disrupting the customer experience. The major expansion project in progress is perhaps most notable for what customers won’t see: no closed entrances, no disrupted parking, and no compromise to the shopping experience. The first phase will see an opening in November, with expansion of over 5 000m² of new retail space. Management at the mall said the expansion, representing the most significant investment in the mall’s recent history, aims to not only increase capacity but to enhance Somerset Mall’s positioning as the leading retail destination in the region. It added that the expansion introduces several landmark retail arrivals, including Safari Collection making its South African debut and Napapijri opening its first Western Cape location. During the…

How about this for a fixture that would rival a World Cup final — the British and Irish Lions versus a Rugby Championship Dream Team? We know it bothers the north that, of the 11 World Cups to date, the southern hemisphere has bagged 10 of them. Will the north ever add to that sole triumph of England’s in 2003? Of course, the Lions don’t feature France or Italy, so how about a Six Nations Dream Team up against their Rugby Championship counterparts? The southern hemisphere tournament has just finished, and what a thriller it was. Picking the best 15 from New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, and South Africa is both a selector’s dream and nightmare, given how closely matched the sides were. I mean, who would you pick between Ardie…

The two-part second instalment of Great African Crimes returned to the History Channel last week. Hosted by true-crime author Mandy Wiener, the show explores historical crimes and their profound impact on communities. In the first episode, which aired last Friday, South Africa’s first unrecorded serial killer, who was linked to as many as nine separate murders in the early 1900s, was in the spotlight. Pierre Basson, an insurance salesman, mirrored modern-day serial killer Rosemary Ndlovu, dealing in death through the sale of insurance premiums. The second episode delves into the case of Maria Mouton, the sole white woman executed for murder in the Cape Colony during the 18th century. She was found guilty of murdering her husband with the assistance of two enslaved individuals, one of whom she was having…

The Hanover Park community is grappling with grief following the tragic death of three-year-old Qadir Boer, who was killed in a suspected gang-related shooting. He was hit by a stray bullet and died at the Red Cross War Memorial Hospital in the early hours of yesterday. His uncle, Abduragmaan Boer, received the devastating news from doctors around 2am, leaving the family in shock as they faced the unbearable task of informing Qadir’s parents about their son’s death. “The doctor called me around two, and he was already pronounced dead at that time,” he said. Boer said the child had been rushed to the hospital after the shooting, but despite doctors’ efforts, he did not survive. Qadir, who would have turned four soon, was at home when the shooting happened. As…

The Western Cape High Court has dismissed an urgent interdict application by the Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations (Codeta) against the provincial Department of Mobility, confirming the lawfulness of the department’s decision to close certain taxi routes and ranks under Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act. The court found that the department acted within its legal mandate when it invoked the extraordinary measures to ensure commuter safety and restore order following persistent taxi-related violence and disruptions in Helderberg and Khayelitsha. Codeta had sought to prevent the department from implementing the closures, arguing that the decision was procedurally unfair and unlawful. However, the court ruled that the department’s actions were justified, reasonable, and in the public interest. The judgment noted that the extraordinary measures were necessary to prevent further…

In a landmark moment for international law and global politics, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will soon deliver its Advisory Opinion on Israel’s obligations in relation to the UN, international organisations, and third states in Palestine. The result of this deliberation, which has captured global attention, will be unveiled on October 22, at 3pm South African time, during a public sitting at the Great Hall of Justice. The case comes from requests by various UN bodies and individual states as calls grow to establish a coherent legal framework governing interactions and actions in the region. Observers suggest that the Court's forthcoming decision could influence not only diplomatic relations but also humanitarian efforts aimed at alleviating the dire situation facing the Palestinian people. Judge Iwasawa Yuji, President of the…

On what would have been Archbishop Desmond Tutu's 94th birthday, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation unveiled a vibrant mosaic portrait of the Archbishop, celebrating his enduring legacy. The artwork on a wall outside the entrance of the Desmond and Leah Tutu House, at The Old Granary Building in Buitenkant Street, was unveiled on Tuesday, his birthday. The permanent mosaic installation is a gift from Mozambican artist Marcelino Manhula, with the donation of materials from the 1895 Art Gallery, in Burg Street, Cape Town. Manhula explained that he fused a mixture of terracotta – a hard, brownish-red, clay-based ceramic – natural stones, and porcelain tiling to make it contemporary and represent a blending of the new and old. "I used the same block design on the ground outside of…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has shrugged off any talk of panic following the recent FIFA-imposed points deduction, insisting his team remains firmly on course to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in America. The South African men’s national team have won four, drawn two and lost two of their eight World Cup qualifying matches — with one of those defeats coming via administrative error — and head into the final two encounters sitting second in their group. Speaking ahead of Bafana’s decisive back-to-back fixtures on home soil, Broos said he was surprised by the sudden wave of doubt among supporters and pundits after South Africa were stripped of three points due to an administrative issue related to Teboho Mokoena’s ineligibility. “I was disappointed when we knew that points…