Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-04 i Cape Argus

If you were to ask ten people where they get their financial advice, chances are you’d hear ten very different answers. From a friend at work who “knows about investing”, to a cousin who once made money trading crypto, to the endless stream of “finance hacks” on social media, it can feel like everyone has an opinion about your money. But here’s the reality: very few South Africans are actually seeking advice from the people trained to give it. According to the recent Momentum Group BMR household finance survey, only 9% of South African households use a professional financial adviser. The vast majority either rely on their own knowledge and experience (77%) or turn to family and friends (12%). This means 91% of households are navigating one of life’s most…

The lid has been lifted on a national kidnapping ring linked to the mysterious disappearance of Quinton “Doenas” Plaatjies, a retired senior official from the Department of Correctional Services, who vanished five years ago after receiving a multimillion-rand payout. A breakthrough in the case has led to the arrest of a woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, and another suspect. The development in the cold case is significant for the family of former warden and prison head Plaatjies, 54, who went missing in October 2020. The family told the Cape Argus they believed the end was near in the cold case being solved and to find out what happened to their brother and whether he was buried somewhere. The Correctional Services official had been stationed in Somerset East where he had…

THE City of Cape Town has welcomed a major High Court ruling that forces the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to make municipal electricity tariff decisions on time and in line with the law. Judge Labuschagne delivered the judgment in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, on Friday. He found that Nersa’s public participation process for the 2025/26 financial year was unconstitutional and declared it invalid under section 172(1)(a) of the Constitution. However, the court did not overturn existing tariff approvals, saying that doing so would cause financial instability in municipalities. The case was brought by AfriForum, which accused Nersa of years of delays, secrecy and disorder in how it handled municipal electricity tariffs. The City of Cape Town, cited as the 14th respondent, proposed new timelines to fix…

Westridge teenager Triston Fortune, a Grade 10 learner at Bergvliet High School, was recently sworn in as the Western Cape Child Ambassador and the deputy president of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Parliament. He is also a member of the Junior City Council and the chairperson of his school’s Representative Council of Learners (RCL). Triston’s passion for helping others began early, inspired by his great-grandmother and mother, both active in feeding schemes and community support. “I realised there are many problems the government doesn’t see on the ground,” he said. Growing up in Mitchells Plain, he became aware of challenges faced by children, including hunger, bullying, and mental health struggles. His leadership journey started at a Rocklands Primary School, where he asked the principal to establish an RCL but was told…

Proteas Men’s stand-in ODI captain Matthew Breetzke is hoping his team can start on the front foot in the series-opener in Faisalabad today. It will all have to start at the very top after the Proteas openers struggled to lay a platform in the recently-completed T20I series, in which Pakistan came from behind to win 2-1 with consecutive victories in Lahore. Quinton de Kock’s return to the Proteas T20I top-order did not go according to plan with the veteran opener only managing a breezy 23 in the opening game before consecutive failures. The Proteas lost a wicket without scoring in both Lahore encounters that put the rest of the batters under pressure for the remainder of the innings. The ODI batting line-up boasts similar personnel to the T20I squad with…

Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to Liverpool on Tuesday, with both the player and his boyhood club still adjusting after his emotional departure for Real Madrid. Just metres from where the England international will enter Anfield stands a giant mural of him decked in red alongside the quote: “I’m just a normal lad from Liverpool whose dream has just come true.” Alexander-Arnold’s rise from supporter to two-time English Premier League winner and Uefa Champions League hero was the stuff of dreams. Yet, for much of the Liverpool support, his exit after running down his contract — meaning the Premier League champions received only a nominal fee — tarnished his legacy. The full-back was even booed in his final few months at the club, despite his role in delivering Liverpool’s only two league…

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef says the club’s focus remains firmly on fighting for silverware this season as they look to build on their steady start under the new technical team. With early challenges in the campaign already behind them, Amakhosi have slowly begun to find rhythm and belief — and Youssef insists that their ambitions have not changed despite the twists of the league season so far. The Naturena-based outfit made a blistering start to the campaign, keeping five cleansheets in their opening five matches including a draw against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns. “For a team the size of Kaizer Chiefs, the target is the same every season — we compete for every position we’re in,” said Youssef. “So, we’re out of the Carling Cup, but there’s…

Whether you are saving for retirement, a rainy day fund, or a future goal, the most important step is getting into the habit of saving. We hear so often that we are not saving enough for retirement. People also quote statistics such as that only 6% of South Africans can retire well. I have heard that this number was thumb sucked and that it gets repeated by an industry that does not really know how many people can retire comfortably. What does well and comfortable mean anyway? This differs for every person. My financial adviser has worked out my savings goal for retirement by taking my current income and projecting it into my retirement years. He also worked out how inflation will erode my savings. This is to make sure…

With Guy Fawkes celebrations approaching, Cape Town’s police and residents are calling for a peaceful night, highlighting the dangers and chaos that fireworks can bring For many Cape Flats residents, the days leading up to Guy Fawkes feel like life in a war zone, with children, pets and the elderly all on edge as fireworks echo through the night. This year could be even more traumatising, with areas like Mitchells Plain, Hanover Park, Manenberg, Ocean View, Elsies River, Lavender Hill and Grassy Park reporting gunfire and running battles between gangs on a daily basis. Retired Grassy Park station commander Lieutenant-Colonel Dawood Laing previously said that each year officers are faced with being unable to determine whether the noise is gunshots or fireworks. He said that gangs also use the sound…

FOUR police officers from the Bellville Rapid Railway Unit have been charged with robbery, after allegedly stealing R18 300 from a shop owner in Delft. Constable Monono, Sergeant Ntsali, Constable De Bruyn and Warrant Officer Daniels were called into the dock at Bellville Magistrates’ Court yesterday after they were detained at the weekend following an investigation into a robbery on October 2. During an apparent search at a Somalian-owned shop in Heinkel Crescent, The Hague, R18 300 was reportedly stolen. The owner of the property took a photograph of the SAPS vehicle and opened a case. The matter was investigated by the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit and the SAPS Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) which confirmed that the vehicle was at the business premises. The officers’ cellphone records show that they…

Former president Thabo Mbeki has called for a fundamental overhaul of South Africa’s presidential election process, sparking discussion within the ANC as the party grapples with its internal renewal and a national dialogue to tackle the country’s multifaceted crises. Speaking at the launch of the National Dialogue for the Eastern Cape higher education sector at Nelson Mandela University at the weekend, Mbeki said that the current method of electing the president is “wrong” and fails to adequately assess a candidate’s capability and suitability for the highest office. Mbeki’s comments, directly challenge the existing system where South African voters elect political parties to fill 400 seats in the National Assembly, with the President then chosen by a majority of MPs. “The manner in which we elect the president is wrong,” Mbeki…

CAPE TOWN has once again secured international recognition for the quality and management of its coastline. Eight beaches across the city have been awarded Blue Flag status for the 2025/26 season, a mark that signals clean water, environmental care, and safety for beachgoers. The awards were confirmed at the annual Blue Flag ceremony held in Port Alfred on Friday. The City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department said it had “received the good news that eight of its beaches have qualified once again to fly the flag of excellence during the 2025/26 season.” The beaches include Bikini Beach, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th, Fish Hoek, Llandudno, Melkbosstrand, Muizenberg, and Silwerstroomstrand. Blue Flag accreditation is not a cosmetic label – it requires ongoing compliance with more than 30 strict criteria set…

As the summer holiday season approaches, the public is urged to exercise caution when encountering Cape fur seals along our coastlines. While these marine mammals play a vital role in our coastal ecosystem, interactions between humans and wildlife can lead to serious consequences. Recent reports have highlighted instances of aggression linked to positive rabies cases within Cape fur seal populations. These seals can also carry other diseases that may be transmitted to humans, and their sharp teeth pose a risk of physical injury. It is important to note that disturbing seals is illegal without a permit, as outlined in the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Nemba) and the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) regulations. Activities such as petting seals can disrupt their natural behaviour and expose humans to potential dangers,…

Eyebrows have been raised in some quarters after Asenathi Ntlabakanye was added to the Springbok squad in Paris in spite of being under a doping cloud. Still, the bottom line is that the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) has cleared the big fellow to play until his hearing in January. It is an unusual case because, while Ntlabakanye tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance, SAIDS is satisfied that he was a victim of medical mismanagement. In short, Ntlabakanye received bad advice when he asked for a prescription for a drug to assist with his weight problem. In early September, SAIDS charged Ntlabakanye for taking dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which he had declared on a medical form. DHEA can increase the body’s androgen levels, such as testosterone. Androgens have muscle-building effects,…

Arne Slot finally hit the reset button, ending a bruising four-game losing streak in the league and a meltdown in confidence with Saturday’s home win over Aston Villa. With striker Hugo Ekitike the only new signing starting, Slot seemed to rediscover the balance at the champions by going back to basics. In so doing, the Liverpool manager is merely kicking the can down the road, with the problem still being: how do you evolve a squad under pressure to play the new stars when the only reliable source of rhythm is the old guard? That would make sense, with muscle memory from the Jürgen Klopp era, but a transition that once seemed so smooth is looking anything but at the moment. It was noticeable that Florian Wirtz again struggled to…

The MSG Advocacy Coalition (a growing collective of NGOs and researchers) has called for a swift approval of a Maternal Support Grant (MSG). This comes after the coalition says the Department of Social Development’s proposed Maternal Support Grant (MSG), a monthly cash transfer to pregnant women for nine months, would fill a critical gap in our country’s social protection system that addresses the specific needs and vulnerabilities of expectant mothers, according to the MSG Advocacy Coalition. The coalition is a collective of NGOs and researchers calling on the government to commit to a clear timeline for approval and implementation of an MSG policy. The coalition says its case is set out in new policy proposals published by non-profits, Hold My Hand, Change Ideas, and Grow Great. According to the coalition,…

Western Cape detectives are drowning in hundreds of cases each, leading to a significant crisis within the SAPS. This alarming situation was highlighted by Benedicta van Minnen, MPP and DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety. She said the DA is holding the National Police Commissioner, Fannie Maseloma, and Police Minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia, accountable for the systemic failures within the police force. Minnen said detectives are being set up to fail, buried under impossible caseloads that make effective investigations a distant dream. According to the SAPS, the benchmark number of cases per detective is a maximum of 60; however, the average caseloads across the province’s police precincts are more than doubled. In response to a parliamentary question, SAPS reported that its vacancy rate stood at -6…

A 24-year-old Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) student accused of raping a fellow student at the Catsville residence in Observatory has been granted bail of R5 000, a decision that has sparked anger among students. The accused, who cannot be named, appeared for the third time in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where the state opposed his release. The schedule five bail application required the accused to prove that his release would be in the interest of justice rather than placing the onus on the state to justify keeping him in custody. The alleged rape has sent shockwaves through the CPUT community, igniting protests and renewed calls for stronger action against gender-based violence on campus. While fewer students gathered outside court compared to last week’s appearance, tensions remained…

Cape Town politician Mehmet Vefa Dag is facing legal repercussions for his recent online statements targeting Kenny Kunene, president of the Patriotic Alliance, and Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie. The Western Cape High Court has issued an interim interdict against Dag, prohibiting him from making further defamatory remarks, including claims that Kunene and McKenzie are involved in murder or operate as “gang or mafia leaders.” The two political figures are pursuing this case, asserting that Dag’s statements have launched a damaging campaign of defamation against their reputations. Notably, Dag referred to them as “pansies,” a term they deem defamatory. Dag is the president of the Truth and Solidarity Movement, a civil society organisation which is said to be dedicated to promoting accountability, transparency, and ethical governance. He has been…

While the strategic decision by the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) to reconfigure the Western Cape provincial structures has been well received, there are unresolved issues that some hope will not be disregarded. Secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, last week announced the disbandment of the party’s Western Cape Provincial Executive Committee (PEC). The committee is to be replaced by a Provincial Task Team led by former chairperson, Ebrahim Rasool, with the announcement coming ahead of the National General Council (NGC), which will convene from December 8–12 at Nasrec, and next year’s local government elections. Mbalula said the party wants to strengthen the party’s branches ahead of the elections. In a statement last week, the ANC said that the NEC commends the discipline and dedication displayed by ANC structures and members in the…

CAPE TOWN has a long history of water challenges, from the crippling Day Zero drought in 2018 to devastating floods in recent years. Now, the Western Cape Government is taking bold steps to ensure the province never faces such uncertainty again. Last week, the government launched its Water Resilience Strategy 2025–2035, a 10-year plan designed to secure the province’s water future through sustainable management, innovation, and partnerships. “The Water Resilience Strategy is about ensuring that every community, farm, business, and ecosystem has reliable, sustainable, and equitable access to water,” said Anton Bredell, Western Cape MEC of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, at the launch in Cape Town. The strategy aims to secure an additional 310 million cubic metres of water annually, conserve 40 million cubic metres through…

As the Madlanga Commission proceedings unfold, the ANC faces its most defining moments since the 1969 Morogoro Consultative Conference, a test of conscience, survival, and renewal. The Movement once redefined its moral compass in exile; today it must confront the erosion of that very moral foundation within its own house. The unfolding events around the Madlanga Commission echo that earlier moment of reckoning, demanding honesty, courage, and self-correction. The recent raid on the Rustenburg property of controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi has opened another troubling chapter in the intersection between politics, money, and morality within our liberation movement. What appeared to be a poorly coordinated police operation has now evolved into a potentially explosive political scandal. In his interview with Xoli Mngambi on Newzroom Afrika, Mogotsi issued a chilling warning, “abanye…

Alas, another World Cup final, another Proteas Women’s heartbreaking defeat. The format may be different, but that’s now three and counting. Forever the bridesmaids, never the bride. Perhaps the silver lining to all of this is that for years semi-finals were the immovable object. And as that obstacle was eventually overcome, so too will finals be conquered. The Proteas’ entire World Cup campaign was a rollercoaster ride from start to finish, with captain Laura Wolvaardt admitting: “We were either really good or really bad, but thankfully there was a lot more really good throughout this tournament.” It is worth remembering the Proteas’ build-up to this World Cup to gain a greater perspective though. They had won just seven out of their last 21 ODI’s, which included series’ losses to Australia…