Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-06-20 i Cape Argus

As the world of entertainment continues to captivate audiences with its highs and lows, this week has been marked by startling news and significant events impacting some recognised figures. From legal troubles to profound personal revelations, here’s a look at the biggest stories making waves in the celebrity sphere. 1Tyler Perry’s legal troubles Renowned film and television mogul Tyler Perry has found himself embroiled in a serious legal battle, facing a $260 million lawsuit filed by actor Derek Dixon. The suit, submitted in a Los Angeles court, entails allegations of sexual assault and harassment allegedly carried out by Perry during the production of his popular television shows The Oval and Ruthless. Dixon alleges Perry promised him a successful acting career but then subjected him to “escalating sexual harassment, assault and…

LOCATED on the popular Atlantic Seaboard, the Ritz Hotel Cape Town is on the brink of being sold to a Dutch or French company for R240-300 million Bruce Hendricks, managing director of Hendricks Harmse Attorneys, one of the representatives of the owners and whose company is managing the Ritz Hotel building, confirmed they were deep in negotiations for the sale, with some i’s to be dotted and some t’s to be crossed. “Depending on the final stages of these negotiations, the sale could go through by next Friday,” he said. Hendricks could not confirm the amount the owner had accepted for the sale nor with whom they are negotiating. There are still some final issues being negotiated and that would be the deciding factor on whether the building will put…

ALLEGED underworld kingpin Nafiz Modack is pushing for the recusal of a judge who is expected to preside over his “Tax Matter” trial. This, after the judge had already dealt with a previous bail appeal in the Western Cape High Court. Advocate Bash Sibda, representing Modack in the trial following his arrest by the Hawks in 2020 on charges of defrauding the South African Revenue Service (Sars) out of R46 million with other co-accused, told the court yesterday that for his client to have a fair trial, Judge Mark Sher would need to step down from the matter. The recusal application highlights that Judge Sher had previously presided over Modack’s bail application in March 2023 in the case in which he stands accused of murdering top cop Lieutenant-Colonel Charl Kinnear.…

FORMER uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has revealed that his removal from the position was due to a fake intelligence report claiming he wanted to overthrow party leader Jacob Zuma. Shivambu made the revelation during a media briefing in Midrand, Johannesburg, where he also announced plans to consult with South Africans on forming a new political party. He said the “extremely bizarre” report stated “that I was about to overthrow Zuma and that I had supernatural powers to make people disappear”. Shivambu claimed that Zuma is surrounded by “political scoundrels” who are taking advantage of his age and kindness to influence him to make decisions that favour their agendas. He further alleged that these individuals are siphoning off millions from the party and that his leadership was being…

THE Western Cape Education Department (WCED) says it is ramping up infrastructure investment to address growing learner numbers, as enrolment across provincial schools continues to rise. Speaking during a Standing Committee on Education meeting this week, WCED officials said enrolment in public schools grew by 19% from 2015 to 2024, with an average annual increase of 2.3%. The department serves more than 1.3 million learners in 1 887 schools. According to the WCED, the increase in enrolment has been driven largely by migration from other provinces. Department officials said the growth placed pressure on school infrastructure and staffing resources. DA Western Cape spokesperson on education, Leon van Wyk, said the department had maintained discipline in budget allocation despite rising costs. “From 2022 to 2025, the WCED has kept employee compensation…

THE derelict building at 263 Main Road in Wynberg has officially been declared a problem building under the City of Cape Town’s by-laws – a significant step in addressing long-standing concerns about safety and misuse, said ward 62 councillor Emile Langenhoven. However, some residents argue the area is steadily sliding into chronic urban decay. “The Wynberg precinct is no different from Yeoville or Hillbrow,” said property owner Andrew Charman. “If Capetonians believe the City has the ability or political will to tackle complex urban management challenges, they are mistaken.” Charman described the City’s approach as rudderless. “For over a decade, City officials and political leaders have promised stern action against problem buildings. A high court case against the Uli Heydt building was said to be imminent. Nothing happened.” Charman said…

THROUGHOUT the Proteas’ two-year cycle, including heading into the World Test Championship final, the batting unit came under intense criticism and comparison. Many looked at Australia’s batting unit and identified their experience, including that of Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja and Travis Head – who are some of the best in the world – and compared that to South Africa’s young line-up. There were questions and doubts on the unit’s ability to hold their ground against a strong Australia attack, forgetting the centuries that the batters have scored throughout the cycle, be it here at home in South Africa or away from home. Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince commented on the batters’ potential upon arriving in South Africa this week, and told the media that they are yet to reach their…

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola hailed the impact of the new signings who came straight into the team for the 2-0 win over Wydad Casablanca in their opening match at the Club World Cup on Wednesday. Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and France attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki both started the game on a hot afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia after joining in the run-up to the tournament from AC Milan and Lyon respectively. “He is a really, really good player. You feel it, you smell it. “The pace, in the final third, with the ball, when he will get a little bit more rhythm, he will be top,” Guardiola said of Reijnders, 26, who played the whole game in sapping conditions. Brought in to help fill the huge void…

Devin Gray live The renowned South African comedian is bringing his stand-up act to the Mother City this weekend ahead of his solo show at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda later this month. With How to Get Away with Marriage, he delves into the chaos of married life, mental health and modern love. Gray’s performance comes after he earned a Best Newcomer nomination at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Apart from his several successful Mzansi shows, he has also been working the comedy circuit in Europe, Asia and the UK for over a decade. Where: The KAYA Café. When: Tomorrow at 6.30pm. Totalsports Table Mountain 16km This acclaimed race is making its return to Cape Town where it will kick off from Constantia Nek up the jeep track to…

THE Western Cape E-hailing Association has welcomed the release of more than 1 000 operating licences for taxi and e-hailing services in Cape Town, but said the road ahead is still long, with several unresolved issues that need to be addressed. The City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government confirmed that 1 106 operating licences are being made available through a two-phase process. These include 260 licences for operators whose permits have lapsed, and 840 new licences for first-time applicants. Western Cape E-hailing Association spokesperson Omar Parker said: “We have been at the forefront in fighting for operating licences. During our march in September, our main issue was that we wanted operating licences. We demanded an investigation into the issue, and this is the result of our efforts,…

WHEN Aiden Markram walked in to open the batting alongside Dean Elgar in Potchefstroom almost a decade ago, there had been a lot said about his potential, with many dubbing him the next Graeme Smith. After all, Markram had led the South African Under-19s to World Cup glory a few years prior, and sent the country into a state of happiness. On that day in Potchefstroom, Markram’s 97 on debut further gave the country hope that it had found its next run machine, one that could potentially reach the heights that Smith achieved in his career. For the next couple of years, he would prove himself against India and Australia at home, bringing up big centuries as he solidified his place as a Test-match opener. However, a couple of years…

Shubman Gill will be in the spotlight as a new-look India, without star batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, bid to end their 18-year wait for a Test series win in England. Gill succeeded Rohit as captain after the latter announced his retirement from Test cricket last month. Just days later, Kohli said he was bowing out of red-ball internationals as well. Gill also has the additional responsibility of filling Kohli’s shoes at No 4 in the batting order. India vice-captain Rishabh Pant on Wednesday revealed that was where his new skipper would bat in the first of a five-Test series against England starting at Headingley today. The 25-year-old Gill has a modest Test batting average of 35 in 32 matches, a figure that drops to 29 in away games,…

Judging by the comments online under the news about Kyalami’s new “Grade 1 FIA approval”, it seems as though South Africans are convinced that we are set to host the grandest race of them all. Just to be clear, the announcement made this week by Kyalami Circuit boss Toby Venter was about them taking a step closer to hosting a F1 race. There is still a ton of work that needs to be done, and even after that costly work, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) can still close the door on South Africa’s face. So, nothing’s really set in stone at this point, but Kyalami Circuit does appear to be the front-runner ahead of the Cape Town bid when it comes to hosting the race. What was said this…

Cape Town City will need to dig deep in their final two fixtures to secure their place in the Premiership for next season. Their hopes of claiming a first win in the Premier Soccer League promotion/relegation playoffs were cruelly dashed in the dying minutes of their clash against Casric Stars at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in Mpumalanga on Wednesday. Now, heading into the last two matches of the mini-league, City find themselves in a pressure-filled situation where at least one victory is vital to maintain their top-flight status. The Citizens took the lead in the first half through a goal from Prins Tjiueza, but after Casric Stars fought back, Sphamandla Mlilo calmly converted from the penalty spot to earn the hosts a share of the spoils. City assistant coach Roger…

A BELHAR ward councillor has kicked back at the National Coloured Congress’s (NCC) call for him to be removed and investigated, alleging that he threatened a resident who was evicted from a premises at the Pentec Housing Project. Councillor Willie Jaftha said the calls to have him removed and investigated was a political attack from politicians who did not do their homework. “I need to speak with the DA and the City on the way forward and respond to them,” Jaftha said. “She needs to apologise, I never spoke with her. “I did go to the workplace to find out who she is. I went to her workplace because she was defaming me claiming I spoke with her. “They were in that house illegally, there were no subsidies for them,…

MEAT importers and processors have welcomed the government’s decision to partially lift the ban on poultry imports from Brazil, saying it will help stabilise local food production and avoid shortages of affordable protein products. The Department of Agriculture confirmed that imports of poultry and poultry products from Brazil will resume, but this excludes the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where a bird flu outbreak was reported last month. The South African Meat Processors Association (Sampa) said the move would help avert major disruptions in the manufacture of staple products such as polony, viennas, and braai wors, which depend on mechanically deboned meat (MDM) sourced almost entirely from Brazil. “We are grateful for the urgency displayed by the Department of Agriculture and especially Minister John Steenhuisen, Deputy Director-General Dipeneneng Serage,…

THE Eskom board of directors was paid more than R10 million in board fees during the 2023/24 financial year, while the entity’s employees pocketed R3 billion in overtime during the same period. This was disclosed by Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa when he was responding to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Mandla Shikwambana, who enquired about the annual expenditure on overtime for Eskom employees and the circumstances under which overtime was paid. Shikwambana also wanted to know whether the 22 board meetings, averaging two meetings per month, as reported in the 2024 annual report, were pre-planned and the reasons for not planning them. He also asked about the total remuneration of each board member and whether the board members were subject to individual performance reviews. In his written response,…

FISH Hoek’s weekly parkrun is more than just a 5km walk, jog, or run – for many local retired people and newcomers, it’s a lifeline to community, connection and purpose. And, according to parkrun Cape Peninsula event ambassador Richard Healy, the real magic isn’t in the running – it’s in the volunteering. “Volunteering is the best part of parkrun,” said Healy. “I’d recommend it to anyone who’s recently moved into the area, who’s feeling a little lonely or lost, or who’s gone through big life changes – like the loss of a spouse, downsizing, or retirement.” Healy hopes more people in Fish Hoek will realise that parkrun offers more than exercise – it’s a way to make friends, feel part of something meaningful, and give back. “There are so many…

Damian de Allende has this strong urge to end his illustrious career under Table Mountain for the Stormers. With his contract in Japan set to run until the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, the Springbok inside centre pinned his hopes on staying fresh and healthy to have his international swansong at the tournament Down Under. If everything goes according to plan and he can help the Boks to a third title in a row, he will look to move back home to have one last hurrah in the blue-and-white hoops of the Cape side. “A third World Cup win would be great to finish off a long career,” De Allende said this week during the Bok camp in Johannesburg. “I have about two seasons left in…

After a frustrating United Rugby Championship campaign, where injuries derailed his participation in crucial matches for the Sharks – including the semi-final against the Bulls – Eben Etzebeth is ready to put all his energy into the Springboks’ season. The centurion played a small part in the URC after a concussion and recurring symptoms kept him on the sidelines for a couple of months, before a calf strain and a knock kept him out of other games. The Sharks bowed out at the semi-final stage at Loftus Versfeld, and although he could not be part of the match, Etzebeth is fired up to get the international season going. He says he is cleared of the concussions, and will approach the international season fresh and injury-free. “I’ve recovered from everything... it’s…

British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell has insisted selection for the Test series with Australia remains wide open after naming his side for tonight’s pre-departure warm-up game with Argentina in Dublin (9pm SA time kick-off). Maro Itoje, already named tour captain, will lead the Lions for the first time at the Aviva Stadium, with several of the England skipper’s international teammates in the starting line-up. Marcus Smith has been installed at fullback behind an all-England halfback duo of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith. Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has a chance to prove his fitness after being named on the bench, following a calf strain that has sidelined him since early May. Up to 14 players could make their Lions debuts before the squad departs tomorrow for a three-Test series…

Mamelodi Sundowns are gearing up for their biggest Fifa Club World Cup challenge tomorrow, when they lock horns with Borussia Dortmund at the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio (6pm SA time kick-off). Despite being deemed underdogs in this high-stakes encounter, the South African champions are brimming with confidence, ready to make their mark on the global stage. Zimbabwe international Divine Lunga, one of the stand-out players when Sundowns secured a crucial 1-0 victory against South Korea’s Ulsan HD in their opening Group F match, said Dortmund are the “big guns”. Lunga, who was a surprise inclusion ahead of the seasoned Aubrey Modiba against Ulsan, is acutely aware of the formidable reputation of their opponents, but is unfazed by the challenge ahead. Lunga has received great praise in Zimbabwe’s media since…

Proteas Women big hitting all-rounder Annerie ‘Big Dawg’ Dercksen looked eager to sink her teeth a little into the West Indies in the upcoming T20 series. Dercksen is coming off a somewhat dull ODI series, having not enjoyed the same level of success with the bat as she did in Sri Lanka. But the conditions in the Caribbean were something different entirely, and so too, the situations she batted in. Dercksen scored her maiden century against Sri Lanka in the final game of the tri-series last month, but said she had to play a more high-risk style of batting against the Windies. Regardless, the Proteas claimed the ODI series 2-1, with a comfortable 166-run victory via the DLS method in the deciding match this week. The 24-year-old’s bowling has been…