Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-25 i Cape Argus

The festive season is upon us, but celebrations can quickly turn into a catastrophe if you get behind the wheel under the influence, according to the Non-life Insurance Division of the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO). In a statement, the Non-life Insurance Division of the NFO says that this holiday, the biggest hangover may not be alcohol; it could be losing your car insurance cover. The Non-life Insurance Division of the NFO says it has already recorded a surge in complaints this year, with many motorists discovering too late that accident claims were rejected because the driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating substance. Edite Teixeira-Mckinon, lead ombud of the division, warns that one of the biggest misconceptions among complainants is that insurers can…

Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) is heading into its busiest season with more visitors, more rangers and strengthened firefighting capacity – as public pressure mounts over long-running safety and maintenance concerns. Between April and October, the park recorded 1 708 289 entries, a surge of nearly 20% compared with the same period last year. SANParks says the trend will continue as flights and cruise arrivals climb. “SANParks is fully prepared to welcome increased visitor numbers to Table Mountain National Park as we enter the festive season,” said SANParks Head of Communications, JP Louw. TMNP has 157 rangers deployed across the park, supported by the 40-member Sea-Air-Mountain (SEAM) special operations unit. Louw said the unit “was bolstered earlier this year with 24 additional elite rangers and the recent addition of six…

The general practitioner who had issued a sick note to accused husband killer Zurenah Smit has recanted his findings in which he booked her off for a week for hypertension. Dr Imraan Shaikh confirmed to the Western Cape High Court that he had not had a physical consultation with Smit but instead, after his patient had been discharged from Victoria Hospital following a three-day stay, he did a telephonic consultation. Dr Shaikh told the court that he received a call from Smit at 4.30pm requesting a house call which he could not accommodate. They agreed on a telephonic consultation which was conducted for approximately six minutes. The doctor, who shares medical insights via his social media platforms, confirmed that he does telephonic and virtual consultations. Added to this, the matter…

Chairperson of the DA’s Federal Executive, Helen Zille, has reprimanded party members for publicly discussing their grievances with the media in an apparent response to the fallout from DA leader John Steenhuisen asking President Cyril Ramaphosa to axe Dion George as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). The public spat follows reports that George lost his ministerial post after he refused a request by Steenhuisen to be demoted to a deputy ministerial post. Steenhuisen purportedly wanted George to serve as deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. George’s axing is believed to be due to not only poor performance but also unprofessional behaviour and his international trips. Steenhuisen then had Willie Aucamp, one of the DA’s two national spokespeople, appointed as the new minister of forestry, fisheries and…

National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Shamila Batohi has told the Nkabinde Inquiry that it was unlawful for Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andrew Chauke to push for the signing of an indictment in the Booysen matter without providing supporting evidence to the acting KwaZulu-Natal DPP at the time, Advocate Cyril Mlotshwa. Testifying before the inquiry, Batohi said emails, affidavits, and documents before the panel point to prima facie interference in prosecutorial decision-making – an issue at the heart of the inquiry’s terms of reference. The inquiry is probing Advocate Chauke’s fitness to hold office. Batohi’s testimony is being led by evidence leader Advocate David Mahlomanyane. Explaining the nature of an indictment, Batohi said it is a document used in the High Court that sets out the charges…

CAPE Town’s long-awaited plan to revive the Good Hope Centre precinct has taken a decisive step forward and leading economists say the move could unlock major value if private developers are allowed to drive the process with purpose. The City’s Mayoral Committee has endorsed a proposal by the Economic Growth Directorate to grant in-principle approval to release the 2.4-hectare precinct for redevelopment. If Council approves, the site will go to a transparent public auction in early 2026, led by Claremart. Economist Dawie Roodt believes placing the property on the market is the right call. “Usually it’s a good idea when the state sells its properties to the private sector which can usually do a better job than politicians. If the private sector is interested, there is a lot of potential…

Barcelona’s financial struggles are no secret and the Catalans have had to lean heavily on their youth academy to provide first-team calibre players over the past few years. While superstar winger Lamine Yamal, in the mould of all-time Barça great Lionel Messi, draws most of the limelight, another La Masia graduate is proving increasingly vital in Fermín López. The 22-year-old midfielder is establishing himself as a regular starter for Hansi Flick, even though outside Spain he is not yet a household name. Chelsea know plenty about López, though, having had a €40-million (about R800m) bid rebuffed in the summer. Barcelona visit Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in the Champions League with the midfielder as one of their main goal threats. Flick was keen to keep López, while Barça were open to…

Last year, it was reported that South Africans spent more than R30 billion during the Black Friday period across three major banks. Online transactions nearly doubled the average in-store spend, reflecting rapidly increasing consumer confidence in digital shopping. This year, spending is likely to rise again as retailers extend Black Friday promotions into month-long campaigns and consumers anticipate major deals. Extended sales periods can offer opportunities for real savings, but they also create a risk of overspending and falling for misleading specials, which can put unnecessary pressure on your household budget ahead of the festive season. Below are six practical tips to help South Africans make informed decisions during the Black Friday period. 1. Seek true savings Research is key to capitalising on savings. Not every special advertised during Black…

THE Constitutional Court refused direct leave to appeal with costs to the South African Riding for the Disabled Association (Sarda) against a Land Court order regarding a 15-year Constantia land restitution claim by the Sadien family. Sarda has called the decision an injustice. The court papers stated: “On application for direct leave to appeal from the Land Court of South Africa, Randburg: Leave to appeal directly to this Court is refused with costs.” The matter concerned Erf 2274, Constantia, which was dispossessed from the Sadien brothers in 1963 due to the Group Areas Act. In 2013, the Land Claims Court ordered the transfer of state-owned Erf 142, which Sarda occupied, to the Sadien family. According to court papers, on November 13, the matter was heard and finalised. In response to…

A BONTEHEUWEL mother has shared her harrowing experience of nearly being burned alive by her jealous boyfriend, who doused her and her friends with petrol. She described how a gathering with friends left three people hospitalised after the flat burnt down. The girlfriend, who asked not to be named, told the Cape Argus’ sister publication, Daily Voice that she had been dating the 28-year-old boyfriend since April. She moved into his family home in Betsy Court, Heideveld, a few months ago, along with his siblings, two family friends and her two small children. He was arrested at the weekend. She said there were red flags at the start of their relationship, but that she didn’t expect things to escalate to this level. A week before the November 21 fire, she…

MINISTER of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, has welcomed the start of the historic Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education (MTbBE) Grade 4 assessments in Natural Science and Technology and Mathematics. The Western Cape observes 187 schools offering Afrikaans, IsiXhosa, and Sesotho. The Department of Basic Education confirmed a total of 11 948 schools across all nine provinces are implementing Mother Tongue-based Bilingual Education this year. According to the department, these schools reflect the rich linguistic diversity of South Africa and demonstrate a national commitment to harnessing the power of language for educational success. The provincial breakdown is as follows: Eastern Cape: 3 860 schools offering Afrikaans, IsiXhosa, and Sesotho. KwaZulu-Natal: 3 558 schools offering Afrikaans, IsiXhosa, IsiZulu, and Sesotho. Limpopo: 2 229 schools offering IsiNdebele, Tshivenda, IsiZulu, Sepedi, Setswana, and Xitsonga. Mpumalanga:…

THE family of world-renowned kiteboarder Graham Howes has launched a fundraising drive to build a new National Rescue Sea Institute (NSRI) rescue craft that will carry his name. The announcement lands as the Red Bull King of the Air kicks off at Kite Beach, drawing elite riders and fans from across the world. With global eyes on Blouberg, the Howes family hopes the shared stoke of the sport will fuel support for a lifesaving cause. “He had the same passion as the NSRI, so it would be great if there were a boat in Graham’s memory that belongs to the NSRI,” said his mother, Gerry Howes. “Just to know that Graham still has a presence in this world.” Howes’ death at sea sent shockwaves through the extreme sports community.…

Residents of Colorado Park are frustrated about the recent Colorado Bridge Project, having long raised concerns that the bridge has facilitated crime in the area. Since it was last vandalised in 2023, work has progressed, including the installation of guardrails at the beginning of October, aimed at keeping pedestrians safe while crossing. However, many residents feel the improvements address safety only superficially. The bridge, which connects Colorado Park with Samora Machel and Kosovo areas and serves both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, has historically been a crime hotspot. Criminals have used it to escape after robberies, and vandalism – including theft of metal, cars, and break-ins while residents are at home in the morning – has made it unsafe in the past, said Jenny Daniels, vice-chairperson of the Colorado Residents’ and…

THE recent court ruling against the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) marks a significant turning point in determining electricity tariffs in the country. Beyond the legal jargon and regulatory frameworks, this decision represents a substantial victory for citizens who deserve fairness, accountability, and transparency in the principles used to calculate electricity costs – elements that have long been lacking in how energy prices are set for millions of South Africans. This ruling is Nersa's third court defeat since 2022. While these court rulings do not alter the current tariffs, they do necessitate a more transparent and accountable process for future rate increases. For too many years, ordinary citizens and businesses have endured a system that often appeared arbitrary and detached from reality. Consumers have faced double-digit price increases…

There’s a particular moment when a football team stops being exciting and starts being inevitable – and Arsenal may be approaching that moment. This is not the free-flowing, wide-eyed Gunners of yesteryear, the ones that played beautiful triangles before abruptly remembering that they also needed to defend. Nor is it the tender, fragile Arsenal of Mikel Arteta’s early rebuild. This is something else entirely: a team that is winning games without ever seeming to hit top gear – the universal warning sign that a dynasty might be germinating. Manchester City fans know the feeling. Before they were the trophy-hoarding juggernaut we now accept as a natural force, they were something much duller: relentlessly efficient. They won matches they shouldn’t have, survived moments they had no right to survive, and played…

As the financial sector evolves, so too does the nature of the risks we face. Fraud is no longer a peripheral concern that can be handled through routine controls. It has become a systemic threat, one that targets our institutions, our consumers, and the trust that underpins the entire financial ecosystem. The shift to digital services, rapid adoption of fintech, and the pervasiveness of mobile transactions have expanded opportunities for innovation, but they have also expanded opportunities for exploitation. The data speaks for itself. According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) Annual Crime Statistics 2024, there were nearly 98,000 digital banking fraud incidents in 2024, an 86% increase from the previous year. Losses amounted to a whopping R1,88 billion. This steep escalation tells us that fraudsters are…

Not only do the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng together account for more than 60% of all child murders in South Africa, but more than two-thirds of child murder victims are killed by someone they know, such as a parent, relative, or neighbour. This is according to the new report released by non-profit organisation Action Society, which revealed that children remain under siege with protective systems meant to safeguard them simply not functioning. Ahead of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, starting today, Action Society has published its new research report, “The Crisis of Crime Against Children in South Africa: A Call for Accountability and Urgent Reform”, presenting overwhelming evidence that the country is failing to protect its youngest citizens. Drawing on Statistics South…

The Western Cape has recorded the lowest unemployment rate in South Africa, dropping to 19.7% in the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Statistics (QLFS) released by Statistics South Africa. The province’s unemployment rate has fallen from 21.1% in Quarter 2, marking a significant improvement and reinforcing the Western Cape’s position as the country’s leading job-creating region. The new data shows that the province added 65 000 jobs year-on-year, while 70 000 jobs were created quarter-on-quarter, the highest job gains of any province for Q3 2025. Premier Alan Winde said the results were a reflection of collaboration between government and the private sector. “This is the result of the hard work this government undertakes in partnership with businesses and companies in the Western Cape, building…

A BONTEHEUWEL Neighbourhood Watch member has been named Crime Fighter of the Year. Deen Solomon was one of the Neighbourhood Watch Awards recipients, when the City’s Safety and Security Directorate announced this year’s winners during a ceremony held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre recently. The annual awards drew more than 200 nominations for individuals and Neighbourhood Watches across the metropole, in a number of categories. The awards celebrate excellence, perseverance and commitment by Neighbourhood Watches who work in communities and closely with the City’s enforcement agencies. The awards recognise individuals and organisations, across a number of categories. Solomon, of the KIC Neighbourhood Watch in Bonteheuwel, received the nod for Crime fighter of the Year. According to the City, he has shown exceptional bravery and quick thinking in numerous operations…

Is Khayelitsha a jungle or a dumping site? You will often hear people say: “Khayelitsha is not a jungle.” They don’t stop there – they add: “Khayelitsha is not a dumping site.” And yet, the irony is hard to ignore –almost every week, we read about bodies dumped in Khayelitsha. It makes me wonder, what exactly is a jungle, and what is a dumping site? A drive through the largest township in the Cape Metro shocks and amazes in equal measure. Khayelitsha is loved by many outsiders. Drive in around 4pm and see for yourself. From Mew Way to Baden Powell and Spine Road, traffic crawls until after eight in the evening. Everyone is going into Khayelitsha. Why? Because the township is alive with energy. There are countless entertainment spots,…

As South Africa played host to the first G20 Summit on African soil in Johannesburg last week, the inclusion of the African Union (AU) among the 42 nations and organisations that confirmed attendance was thanks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and lobbying back in 2023, positing that there is no global growth without Africa. The bold and laudable initiative by Modi to have the AU included in the G20 as a full member confirms India’s standing as a trusted friend and supporter of Africa. Modi’s efforts to deepen relations between his country and our continent must be welcomed, and they also highlight the importance of forming ties with stronger nations to chart Africa’s growth. The inclusion of South Africa as the only country from the African continent in…

“I just want to be like you!” These were the humble words of Marco Jansen in response to legendary Proteas all-rounder Shaun Pollock on Monday. Jansen may hold Pollock, who claimed 421 Test wickets and struck 3 781 runs in an illustrious Test career, in high esteem, but the lanky all-rounder has already outdone his hero in this on-going second Test against India in Guwahati. The Proteas are in a commanding position, leading by 314 runs, with two days remaining. The 25-year-old may have been disgusted with himself in getting out seven runs shy of his maiden Test century in the Proteas’ first innings, but his 93 was more than double Pollock’s best off 44 on Indian soil. But it is with the ball more than anything else that Jansen…