Innholdsfortegnelse for 2026-01-06 i Cape Argus

THEY fled with nothing but the clothing on their backs. Destitute, desperate for shelter they were forced to sleep in their cars and market stalls as they waited for Disaster Risk Management teams to provide materials to assist in rebuilding their lives. When the devastating fire swept through Tsepe Tsepe Informal Settlement in Khayelitsha on Sunday, 177 structures were destroyed and 377 people were affected. Yesterday, hundreds began to take stock, with several worried that their children would not have uniforms and stationery when schools reopen next week. For Bukiwe Mkunyna and her three children, surviving the night without a roof over their heads and only the clothes they were wearing, meant finding shelter inside a car. “I have three children in my home and the fire burnt everything, we…

Police are investigating the murders of a 43-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man, whose bodies were found inside a house in Wesbank on Sunday. Police were called to the home in Galvandale Street just after 1.30pm, where the victims were found with gunshot wounds. Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, said no arrests have been made. “Mfuleni police registered two counts of murder. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. Anyone with any information about this shooting can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS.” During the second quarter of 2025/2026, Mfuleni recorded the 84 murders, the highest in the country. The double murder comes just days after two 19-year-old men were shot and killed in Dumezweni Street in Wallacedene, and an 18-year-old female was…

GBV organisations and political parties, including local councillors, are questioning why the 62-year-old man accused of raping his five-year-old great-granddaughter was granted bail of R2 000 a week ago. Letters have been sent to authorities. The man, who may not be identified, made an appearance at the Blue Downs Regional Court on December 30, where he is facing a charge of rape. The Cape Argus understands the charge was provisionally changed to sexual assault, and the police’s FC Van Wyk previously confirmed that a case of rape was under investigation following the man’s arrest. Last week and this week, GBV organisations and activists opposed the release on bail of the man, handing over a petition. The child’s 44-year-old grandmother earlier told the Cape Argus that she was suffering secondary trauma,…

The Black Lawyers Association (BLA) has backed the call from the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development (DJCD), Mmamoloko Kubayi, who has suggested mandatory lifestyle audits for all prosecutors to safeguard the integrity of the country’s justice system. The BLA said it was essential to subject prosecutors to lifestyle audits, considering that the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture had raised significant concerns regarding the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The association said this will assist in identifying corrupt elements within the NPA. While welcoming what she described as a transparent process to appoint the next National Director of Public Prosecutions during her interview with the SABC on Sunday afternoon, Kubayi raised concerns about the internal weaknesses within the prosecuting authority, warning that they undermine public confidence. She said there…

A Labour Court ruling has reinforced that South African employees cannot be fired simply for looking for another job, even if that job is with a competitor. In a recent judgment, the Labour Court in Johannesburg found that Lucchini South Africa unfairly dismissed its Safety, Health, Risk and Quality manager, Vishen Mahabeer, after less than six months of employment. Lucchini South Africa took the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) to court to overturn its finding that Mahabeer was fired unfairly. Both the CCMA and the court described Lucchini’s misconduct charges as “trumped-up”. The charges included claims that he secretly negotiated a job with a direct competitor while still employed, and tried to pressure the company by raising the value of its intellectual property during settlement talks. Mahabeer was…

WHAT was meant to be a defining year for South African football has instead begun with doubt, as Bafana Bafana’s last-16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) raised uncomfortable questions about their readiness for the challenges still to come. South Africa were knocked out of the tournament with a 2–1 defeat to Cameroon, their second loss of the campaign and one that proved decisive. The result ended Bafana’s AFCON journey prematurely and saw them fail to build on the momentum of their impressive third-place finish at the previous edition. Perhaps more worrying than the result itself was the contrast between the side that impressed during the Fifa World Cup qualifiers and the one that took to the field at this tournament. While Bafana showed flashes of quality during…

THE South African Football Association’s (SAFA) dedication to adequately support its national team, Bafana Bafana, has come under intense scrutiny. Logistical oversights ahead of Sunday’s AFCON match against Cameroon left coach Hugo Broos frustrated. Broos raised concerns about the team’s preparations just before the pivotal game. In a candid address at the pre-match press conference, Broos did not mince his words regarding the team’s training arrangements in Rabat. The training facilities, located more than 45 minutes away from their accommodations, required a taxing 90-minute round trip. This substantial commute significantly reduced the time for essential training. “This is not ideal,” stated Broos, passionately highlighting the potential negative impact such delays could have on the players’ performance in high-pressure situations. Broos’ candid remarks raised eyebrows within the Confederation of African Football…

THOUSANDS, young and old, oohed and aahed as they watched the minstrels jig through the Mother City yesterday. Awash with colour and traditional music, the CBD was full of gees, with the Klopse parading in painted faces, twirling umbrellas, and bright costumes, moving to the rhythm of drums, banjos, and trumpets. The streets buzzed with excitement as spectators, some camping out overnight for the best spots, cheered and clapped during the event, which closed several roads, including Somerset, Ebenezer, and Green Point Main Roads. The fan walk stretched 1.2 km from Somerset Road to DHL Stadium, a new route for Tweede Nuwe Jaar, now called the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade. The centuries-old tradition tells the story of the city’s history from slavery to freedom, celebrating its culture with music,…

Police said that they are still investigating the case of the Bitou Deputy Executive Mayor, Nokuzola Kolwapi, who found herself in trouble after a video emerged appearing to show her discharging a firearm just before Christmas. Kolwapi, who is also the Ikhwezi Political Movement (IPM) president, had defended her actions, stating that the video was taken during the celebration marking the return of her son from ulwaluko – a Xhosa initiation ceremony that marks the transition into manhood. In her statement, she mentions the firearm being a “replica (toy gun)”. Yesterday, police spokesman Warrant Officer Chris Spies said that Kwanokuthula detectives are investigating a case of the pointing of a firearm after the incident on December 22. “According to reports available, Kwanokuthula police visited the premises after a video of…

The tourism industry association, Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa), has expressed disappointment over the sector’s performance during the festive season. Fedhasa national chairperson, Brett Tungay, said their anecdotal statistics for the festive season became very much of a mixed bag across the country, describing it as disappointing. “The high-end tourism destinations continued to do well, while the mid-level and low-levels saw a drop. The prime spots occupancy rate sat between 80% and 85%, but then, as soon as you went out of the prime tourism spots, most people reported 70% to 75%. That was the general trend for this festive season,” Tungay said. He added that areas like Mossel Bay and the Waterfront in Cape Town did very well; however other tourism destinations did not have good business.…

Bullying has existed for centuries, evolving from the term “bully”, which originally meant “sweetheart”, into something profoundly different today. Effectively addressing bullying remains an ongoing challenge. This article explores the complexity of bullying and proposes a child-led, research-based approach to developing sustainable and impactful anti-bullying programmes. Efforts to combat bullying often fail for several reasons. One key issue is the reliance on imported strategies that lack relevance in local contexts. Generic, “one-size-fits-all” approaches often overlook the cultural, social, and educational nuances of specific communities, leading to limited success. Additionally, bullies are often skilled at concealing their actions, giving the impression of being “sweethearts” while secretly causing harm. This behaviour makes it difficult to identify and intervene effectively. Many anti-bullying initiatives also suffer from a lack of sustainability. Changes in staff,…

THE Bulls’ first season under Johan Ackermann has reached a defining moment, and the next two weeks will reveal far more than whether they can still sneak into the Champions Cup knockout stages. What matters most now is momentum – real, tangible winning momentum – and not another round of brave performances that end in narrow defeats. Saturday’s clash against the Bristol Bears at Loftus Versfeld is the starting point. The Bulls enter the match battered on the results sheet, having slipped to six defeats, including two in Europe, but not without belief. Their near-miss against the Stormers in last weekend’s north-south derby showed enough grit and physicality to suggest they are closer to snapping the unwanted streak. “Hopefully, soon, we can turn that corner,” Ackermann said. “We just have…

RUBEN Amorim arrived at Manchester United as one of Europe’s brightest young coaching talents, but just 14 months on he leaves the club as the latest man unable to revive the fortunes of the fallen English giants. The 40-year-old was sacked yesterday after overseeing just 25 wins in his 63 games in charge, leaving United looking for a seventh permanent boss since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Here we look at where it went wrong for Amorim during his short stint at Old Trafford. Wedded to a failing system Amorim rose to prominence by winning two Portuguese league titles at Sporting Lisbon, based on his preferred 3-4-3 formation. Despite evidence that the system was not the best fit for the players he had at United, Amorim persisted with it, at…

THE January transfer window has begun to shape the narrative of the second half of the South African season, with Orlando Pirates striking early, Mamelodi Sundowns plotting a major move and Cape Town City reinforcing their bid to return to the top flight. Pirates have wasted little time in adjusting their squad, confirming both an arrival and a departure within the opening days of the window. On Monday, the Buccaneers officially announced the signing of New Zealand international attacking midfielder Andre de Jong from Stellenbosch FC, ending months of speculation around the forward’s future. “A new Buccaneer joins the ship! We are pleased to announce the signing of Andre de Jong. Welcome Andre!” the club confirmed on social media. The 29-year-old becomes Pirates’ first acquisition of the year as they…

Motorists can look forward to lower fuel prices this week, as a stronger rand and lower international oil prices have led to a significant over-recovery for petrol and diesel. Month-end data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) is pointing to petrol price decreases of between 62 cents per litre for 93 Unleaded and 66 cents for 95 Unleaded. Diesel is looking set for price cuts of R1.36 for 500ppm and R1.49 for 50ppm. These cuts will bring the coastal prices of 95 Unleaded and 50ppm diesel to their lowest levels since February 2022. A litre of 95 Unleaded is expected to cost R19.92 at the coast from tomorrow, bringing it below the R20 barrier for the first time in almost four years. Those in the inland regions will pay around…

Two suspects, aged 17 and 21, have been arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl in Pfananani village, Limpopo. Limpopo police said the suspects were apprehended by the Makhado family violence, child protection and sexual offences (FCS) unit following an incident that allegedly took place on the night of December 29, at around 11pm. Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the girl had gone to a neighbour’s house to charge two cellphones. The neighbour was reportedly outside cooking at the time and granted her permission to charge the devices. Police alleged that while the girl was seated inside the house with the neighbour and his male friend, the two suspects entered the house. The suspects, who were allegedly intoxicated, reportedly began harassing the girl before forcefully taking her…

The ANC has revealed that part of its ANC NEC meeting, which took place yesterday, has been tasked with deliberating on the recent developments in Venezuela. Party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri confirmed during a doorstep briefing in Rustenburg that the NEC will deliberate on the implications of the current Venezuelan crisis, alongside pressing internal matters, as the party gears up for its anniversary celebrations this weekend. Scheduled for Saturday at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg, these celebrations will mark the ANC’s 114 years as a liberation movement. The event presents an opportunity for ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa to deliver a keynote address that outlines the organisation’s objectives for the forthcoming year. Highlighting the NEC’s role as the party’s primary decision-making body between conferences, Bhengu-Motsiri pointed out that the Venezuelan situation is…

TIME is running out for residents and interested parties to object to a proposed 32-unit residential development on Erf 15300 in Fish Hoek, commonly known as the Capri Common. The deadline for public submissions is Thursday. The Sunnydale Ratepayers’ Association (SRA) has submitted a formal objection to the development, calling instead for the land to be declared a no-go area, with conservation, rehabilitation and long-term management of the site. According to the SRA, public submissions can still influence the outcome of the application. Erf 15300 is classified as a Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA) 1a, the highest conservation category under the Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan. Land in this category is required to be kept in a natural or near-natural state, with further habitat loss avoided. The site supports critically endangered…

HUGO Broos was left searching for words after Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations journey ended abruptly at the hands of Cameroon, undone by missed opportunities and moments of defensive lapse in a high-stakes round-of-16 encounter. South Africa exited the tournament in Morocco despite a promising start that suggested they had the tools to trouble the five-time African champions. Broos, visibly disappointed, believed the foundations for victory were laid early — but not capitalised on. “We are very disappointed and sad that we are eliminated today,” Broos said. “I think we had the right players and we had three big chances in the first half and normally the game is to be done then but when you miss those chances, you pay the bill (by conceding) with a lucky goal.”…

JUNIOR Springbok scrumhalf star Haashim Pead’s match-winning cameo for the Lions in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby against the Sharks in Durban will only serve to fuel calls for more playing minutes for the World Junior Player of the Year. The 20-year-old showed off his great eye for the half-gap with a sniping run and try from close range after collecting the ball off the base of the ruck that gave the visitors a thrilling 23-22 victory in the Shark Tank after the final hooter. But beyond the exhilaration of snatching a crucial derby victory with his first URC try, the big question for Lions fans now is simple: has Pead done enough to justify more opportunities, not just late‑game cameos? The standout player from the 2025 U20 World Championship…

While the Africa Cup of Nations gathers momentum with Africa’s finest going head-to-head for continental supremacy, the start of the new year has also brought the Betway Premiership tantalisingly close to resumption, especially with Bafana Bafana getting knocked out in the Last 16 on Sunday. Business has not been as usual this season. This campaign carries a distinct energy, with a simmering battle emerging between the country’s two standout giants, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. The pair are set for more than a mere stare-down; they could once again clash head-on in a fight for the league title. Sundowns remain the undisputed champions, chasing a record-extending ninth consecutive league crown, while Pirates are determined to end a 13-year title drought, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this season’s heavyweight…

LETTING experienced striker Tshegofatso Mabasa leave would be a costly self-inflicted setback for Orlando Pirates, potentially derailing their pursuit of silverware in the seasons ahead. Mabasa has entered the final six months of his contract, which expires at the end of June, allowing him the freedom to engage in talks with other clubs and explore potential moves. With his future uncertain, Pirates face a crucial decision: retain one of their most proven strikers or risk leaving a gap that could prove difficult to fill, particularly given his experience in a team competing on multiple fronts. The Buccaneers were among the busiest clubs during the season-opening transfer window, making over 10 signings. Coupled with tactical adjustments, these changes have helped forge a fluid and energetic style of play, allowing the Soweto…