Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-10-13 i Cape Argus

Having been a die-hard of the Sex and the City franchise, I was delighted when the spinoff series, And Just Like That…, arrived. Admittedly, it was disappointing to see that Kim Cattrall didn’t make the final cast. And, no, that pacifying guest appearance in season 2 doesn’t count. But Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie Bradshaw), Cynthia Nixon (Miranda Hobbes) and Kristin Davis (Charlotte York Goldenblatt) do a commendable job of holding down the fort as 50-somethings, navigating different challenges, albeit wiser, while also untangling the complexities of love, family and work. The addition of Sarita Choudhury as Seema Patel and Nicole Ari Parker as Lisa Todd Wexley elevates the girlfriend dynamics, while Mario Cantone and Evan Handler add comic levity in their respective roles. Amid her home renovations and penning a…

Deputy police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya will take the stand today in the parliamentary inquiry that is probing the allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system. This comes after Sibiya was implicated in the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). Ad Hoc Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane on Friday said the public hearings will resume today with Sibiya as a witness. “Next week Monday and Tuesday, we have a date with General Sibiya,” Lekganyane said. The inquiry has heard that Sibiya allegedly went ahead with plans to disband the PKTT despite being advised not to do so by Masemola, who had concerns with the directive issued by now-suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu in December 2024. Sibiya had allegedly ordered for the dockets removal from KwaZulu-Natal to the police…

Emotional Hanover Park residents have called for the death penalty to be imposed on the shooters of toddler Qadir Boer, who was laid to rest on Friday. Two suspects, both aged 17, made a brief first court appearance in camera at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court, where the teenagers are facing charges of murder, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition. Qadir died in the early hours of October 9 after being admitted to hospital the previous day. The toddler was shot through his head during a gang battle between the Ghetto Kidz and Incredibly Gifted Bastards (IGBs). Outraged residents from Hanover Park rallied outside the court expressing their anguish and frustration that the little boy’s life was taken in such a senseless way. One woman, who asked not to…

Members of Parliament have expressed outrage over the alarming number of teachers accused of having sexual relations with learners, following a report by the South African Council for Educators (Sace) that exposed widespread misconduct in schools. The report, tabled before Parliament’s portfolio committee on basic education last week, revealed 606 cases of teacher misconduct in the 2024/2025 financial year, 127 of which involve sexual relations with learners. Sace chief executive Ella Mokgalane said the council was deeply troubled by the persistence of such cases, which continue to erode trust in the teaching profession. “We are worried because the number of reported cases keeps increasing. There are currently 606 in total, and of those, 127 involve teachers who continue to sleep with learners,” said Mokgalane. “If these teachers are found guilty,…

The ANC in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature has called for an investigation into Premier Alan Winde’s failure to declare sponsored travel to the United States in 2024. This follows revelations that Winde’s flight tickets to attend Climate Week NYC 2024 in New York, held from September 22–25 last year, were funded by the Under2 Coalition, a global network of subnational governments committed to climate action. While the sponsorship was recorded in the Department of the Premier’s 2024/2025 Annual Report, the ANC claims it was not declared in the Register of Members’ Interests, as required by the legislature’s code of conduct. “The code of conduct clearly stipulates that members must declare all gifts, sponsorships, or benefits, including sponsored travel, to prevent any perception of conflict of interest or undue influence,”…

IN HONOUR of World Homeless Day the Haven Night Shelter in Retreat and City of Cape Town teamed up for the expansion of 120 shelter beds to help get more people off the streets in various parts of the metro. It was a joyous occasion on Friday as construction of the 120-bed expansion in Retreat has more than doubled capacity from 104 to 224 beds. This follows the expansion of the Haven’s CBD facility by 63% , from 96 to 156 beds. Hundreds more beds will be added by upcoming expansions to Haven shelters in Kensington and Wynberg with the Haven’s District 6 shelter also set to expand. The Haven Night Shelter’s CEO, Shadrick Valayadum, said: “This particular expansion will look at the evictions of people who are living illegally…

Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, has again come to the defence of the City of Cape Town’s budget and tariffs, in court papers filed in response to AfriForum’s legal challenge against the fixed tariffs. AfriForum seeks to have the budget declared invalid until the end of the 2025/2026 financial year, June 30, 2026, “to allow the City to rectify the defects”. An affidavit by AfriForum’s West Coast district co-ordinator Jurie Ferreira, said that at the heart of their application is the City’s imposition of a tariff and charges, and AfriForum’s contention that the City does not have the power to use the value of property to do so. “Despite the continued spirit of co-operation between the City and AfriForum, the public interest compels AfriForum to approach the Honourable Court for…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has praised midfielder Sipho Mbule for his growing influence in the national team setup and revealed how a simple half-time message sparked his second-half revival against Zimbabwe. The 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier, played in front of a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday night, ended goalless — a result that dented Bafana’s qualification hopes. Though officially designated as the away team, the Warriors hosted the clash in Durban due to none of Zimbabwe’s stadiums meeting Fifa accreditation standards. Despite the frustrating result, Broos found reason for encouragement in Mbule’s display. The Orlando Pirates midfielder, affectionately known as ‘MasterChef’, has worked his way back into the national picture after missing out on several squads earlier this year. His recall came during the September international break,…

Co-creator Ryan Murphy’s Monster series on Netflix has struck gold once again with Monster: The Ed Gein story, in a story so depraved and disturbing it’s difficult to look away. Murphy, known for his often campy horror series American Horror Story, has transitioned to depicting stories based on fact. The first season – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, focussed on cannibal serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Season two – Monster: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story, followed the 1989 murders of the wealthy parents of Beverly Hills brothers Lyle and Erik Menéndez. The Ed Gein Story though, is as disturbing, if not more so, than Dahmer. Gein is a lonely, stunted man, raised by a verbally and physically abusive mother Augusta (played by Laurie Metcalf). In a case of nature…

As the community of Gugulethu mourns the recent loss of shooting victims, a group of religious leaders gathered outside the local police station on Saturday pleading for safety and an end to the escalating violence. They presented a memorandum to the police, calling for immediate measures to combat gun violence and address gender-based violence (GBV). This plea comes in the wake of 10 murders reported in the township over the past two weeks. On Thursday, four security officers were shot: one was killed, while three others were wounded and rushed to hospital. Minutes later, a salon owner was killed near this scene. On Friday evening, there was a double murder in Lotus informal settlement. Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said: “Gugulethu police registered two counts of murder for…

Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has slammed the recent violent protests at the University of Fort Hare as “criminal,” not a protest, warning that the academic year must be saved and that learning must resume within a week. This comes as reports indicate that the protest at the university caused damage estimated between R250 million and R500 million, with key buildings set alight and academic activities brought to a halt. In a briefing at the weekend Manamela said the department is working with police, the Eastern Cape government, and university management to restore calm and protect students and staff. “What has happened at Fort Hare is not protest; it is criminal. It destroys opportunity, erodes confidence, and undermines the dreams of thousands of young people who look…

AT the funeral of former Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa yesterday, President Cyril Ramaphosa described him as a remarkable leader who had been committed to activism, public service, and promoted social cohesion through culture and heritage. Thousands of mourners gathered at the Siyabonga Sangweni Stadium in KwaMbonambi to pay their final respects to South Africa’s Ambassador to France, who died in Paris last week. The 58-year-old was laid to rest with a special official funeral category 2, attended by senior government officials and ANC leaders, including the president, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, suspended Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, and ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, among others. Mthethwa died after reportedly falling from the 22nd floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris. French authorities have since launched an…

Hugo Broos has never been one to bow to pressure. His stubborn conviction and fearless leadership will again be tested when Bafana Bafana face Rwanda in Mbombela on Tuesday night. The Belgian has built his reputation on doing things his own way. Whether it’s selection calls, formation tweaks, or how he speaks his mind in press conferences, Broos rarely compromises. But after Friday night’s goalless draw against Zimbabwe, his side finds itself on the back foot — and this is precisely when the coach’s experience, emotional intelligence, and tactical sharpness will be tested most. It’s easy to forget that South Africa were the better team for long periods against the Warriors. They created chances, played with intensity, and showed commitment. What was missing was a finishing touch. That’s why Broos’…

Proteas netball coach Jenny van Dyk feels that the Test series against the Australia Diamonds has been an eye-opener, exposing areas they will have to work hard on if they are to challenge the best in the sport. The world’s top-ranked netball team claimed a 3-0 series sweep, culminating in a commanding 65-42 victory over South Africa in Adelaide, Australia, on Sunday. “One thing I can say is that the Aussie Test series was twice as hard as the New Zealand Test series,” Van Dyk admitted of the back-to-back series, where the Proteas failed to pick up a win, despite coming close in the final match against the Silver Ferns. South Africa started strong in the final match of the tour and kept the Aussies on the back foot in…

After a lukewarm display in his United Rugby Championship (URC) debut, Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard will not be available for the Bulls’ next game against Connacht this weekend. Head coach Johan Ackermann confirmed that Pollard is heading back to South Africa to support his wife, who is due to give birth soon. That rules him out of the next Irish clash and the third tour match against former champions Glasgow Warriors. Pollard, along with the rest of the Springbok reinforcements, failed to make a significant impact against Ulster, who claimed a convincing 28-7 win over their visitors. Following the defeat, critics were quick to speak out, but Ackermann insisted the team wouldn’t be distracted by outside noise. The focus now shifts to fixing key issues ahead of a tough assignment…

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has condemned the government for its inaction against vigilante groups that are obstructing non-nationals and undocumented individuals from accessing public healthcare services. This comes in the wake of recent Durban High Court ruling that dismissed the commission’s urgent application aimed at halting the unlawful activities of groups like Operation Dudula and March and March, which have been blocking access to hospitals, including Addington. The court struck the matter off the roll on Friday, ruling it was not urgent. Operation Dudula and March and March have consistently accused the government of failing to address South Africa’s migration challenges and argue that foreign nationals are placing undue pressure on the country’s public healthcare system. They want foreign nationals to be denied medical care. On Friday,…

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has warned that the party must clean up its act or risk losing the trust of South Africans. He was speaking at the reburial of struggle veterans Todd Matshikiza, Esme Sheila Matshikiza, and John Pogiso Maroo in Komani on Saturday. Mbalula described the ANC’s poor showing in the 2024 elections as a “strategic setback” and said the party must return to its founding values of honesty, humility, and service. During the elections last year, the ANC lost its outright majority for the first time since 1994, forcing it into a coalition to remain in government. “Our commitment to organisational renewal requires of the ANC to be responsive to the dreams and aspirations of the multi-forces for progressive change”. “This renewal, comrades, demands that we restore a…

AN ACTING judge, in dealing with a tug-of-war between divorcing parents regarding the custody of their child, urged parents to respect each other when it came to decisions regarding their children. Acting Judge Ceri von Ludwig, sitting in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, remarked that it is a heavy burden on a court to have to decide what is best for a child when that child’s own parents are unable to do so. “It is a responsibility for which we must be grateful because the parents have turned to us and said, ‘help us’. It is not always an abrogation of the parents’ responsibilities by the parents. It is the parents saying, ‘I know what I think is best’, but it does not concur with what the other parent thinks…

While the Stormers started their opening overseas tour of the United Rugby Championship (URC) in fine fashion, they will have to be careful about getting overconfident ahead of their Italian job starting this weekend. The Cape side blanked a second team this past Friday, scoring a 34-0 victory over the Scarlets in Llanelli and are one of three unbeaten teams in the tournament. After the Bulls’ loss on Saturday, they are at the top of the URC log thanks to a significant points difference. A duel against Zebre awaits in Parma, and after the Italian club already toppled one South African side – the Lions – the inaugural champions will be wary of them. They also need to remain on top of their game as their final tour match against…

Lions supporters’ spirits must have sunk when Johan Ackermann returned to South Africa from England – not to save their team, but to take over from Jake White at the Bulls. Similarly, Swys de Bruin – Ackermann’s sidekick during the Lions’ heyday in Super Rugby – emerged from coaching isolation to lead the Springbok Women to World Cup success. Both these coaches are Lions legends, and either would be appreciated at Ellis Park right now. The Lions, in short, need a saviour. Another Currie Cup season ended in disappointment, despite fielding a full-strength squad, while the United Rugby Championship is off to a dismal start with three consecutive losses. They already look unlikely to make the Top 8, having never qualified for the play-offs since South Africa joined the URC…

Four PSL teams — Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Stellenbosch FC — will resume their journeys in the CAF club competitions next week, all playing away matches that could define their continental aspirations. It will be history in the making as both Chiefs and Pirates set out on their first joint overseas venture, heading to the bustling city of Lubumbashi in the DRC for their CAF club competition second-round ties. They will play at the same venue, on different days. For Pirates, their journey will see them face St Eloi Lupopo on Saturday. Lupopo recently knocked out Sudanese side Al Merrikh, securing a surprising goalless draw in Libya after a wobbly first leg in Lubumbashi. Pirates are gearing up to relive their glory days in the African Champions…

Zinedine Zidane confirmed on Sunday that he would one day like to coach the France national team but did not specify if he was eyeing the job once Didier Deschamps steps down. Zidane, who famously scored twice in France’s 1998 World Cup final victory over Brazil, previously led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles during his only senior coaching tenure. “I’m sure I’ll get back into coaching,” Zidane said at an event organised by Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I’m not saying it’s going to happen now, but what I want one day is to coach the national team.” The 53-year-old remains the favourite to replace Deschamps when the 2018 World Cup-winning coach steps aside after next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.…