Indholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-21 i Cape Argus

It’s been almost 50 years since Christopher Reeve starred in Superman, the 1978 movie that spawned what is now an endless spigot of superhero movies. It didn’t invent the tropes of messiah-like figures with supernatural powers or the building of elaborate on-screen worlds only to reduce them to apocalyptic rubble but its contours have now been imitated, elaborated, iterated and just plain stolen so often that the original looks wan and generic by comparison. Superman has been remade since then, with different actors in the role, and often with directors seeking to contemporise the hopelessly square Clark Kent and his upright alter-ego by giving them a brooding, existential sense of solemnity. The impulse was understandable – hey, it worked for Batman! But the tone was all wrong for a protagonist…

THE escalation of tensions between FlySafair and its pilots may result in commuters across South Africa facing significant travel disruptions. With nearly 90% of FlySafair pilots voting in favour of a strike, the low-cost airline has announced it will lock out its flight crew as negotiations over wage demands reach a standstill. The situation has drawn the attention of trade union Solidarity, which is calling for FlySafair to return to the negotiating table before the pilots confront a lockout starting today. The airline’s decision to lock out its pilots for up to two weeks – originally set for seven days but potentially extendable for another week – comes in response to a strike notice that Solidarity expressed following the pilot vote. Helgard Cronjé, a spokesperson for Solidarity, has expressed concerns…

THE former Harvester Primary School teacher accused of sending explicit footage to a Grade 7 learner was released on bail of R5 000 on Friday, with the court imposing conditions on her release. The 35-year-old accused appeared in the Mitchell’s Plain Magistrates Court facing charges of sexual grooming of a child and exposing a child to explicit material. The court heard arguments from the State and the teacher’s lawyer in her bail application. The State previously heard a testimony from the investigating officer in the matter, Warrant Officer Roland Peters on behalf of the State, saying the teacher had her eyes on the minor for a while and wanted to “do things to him”. They argued that they have a prima facie case to which the accused needs to answer…

Two KwaZulu-Natal senior ANC national executive committee members have been accused by supporters of embattled Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of orchestrating a political plot. The alleged plot aims to have Mchunu dismissed from the Cabinet and prevent his election to the party’s top seven in 2027. Two weeks ago, KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of interfering in police operations to shield underworld syndicate criminals from prosecution. This accusation came as Mchunu was campaigning for the ANC in Vryheid, northern KwaZulu-Natal, for a by-election. Many saw this campaign as a political move ahead of the 2027 party elective conference. The by-election was won by the IFP last week. Speaking anonymously, a supporter of Mchunu argued that it was implausible for him to have sought to protect businessman Vusi…

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula defended the party against criticisms that it has selectively applied its step-aside rule when it comes to the allegations raised against former Minister Senzo Mchunu, who was placed on leave of absence by President Cyril Ramaphosa last week. Mbalula, came out to address the media during an interval at the Cape Sun Hotel, where the ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) met with the Provincial Executive Committee. This forms part of the ANC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its organisational capacity and engage directly with structures of the movement across regions and districts. Mchunu, who was also present at the ANC’s NWC meeting, faces allegations of corruption and malfeasance from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The ANC has previously said it welcomes Ramaphosa’s decision to establish a judicial…

The demands placed on South African frail care and retirement villages are tougher than ever. These establishments must consistently provide high-quality care while addressing persistent staffing issues and adapting to an increasingly complex regulatory environment. The limitations of traditional care models heavily reliant on individually employed caregivers can no longer be ignored. In response, a strategic shift towards collaborating with experienced healthcare professional service agencies is gaining momentum, providing a welcome pathway for facilities to greatly enhance care provision, optimise operational workflows, and mitigate potential liabilities. Addressing the shortcomings of traditional models Modern senior care facilities face growing challenges that necessitate efficient resource management. Rising operating costs, stricter regulatory demands, and persistent staffing shortages (particularly for specialised roles) create significant operational burdens. To maintain high standards of care and ensure…

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis cut a calm but proud figure on Saturday night after guiding her team to the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a 4-1 penalty shootout win over Senegal. It was a tense evening at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, where the defending champions were made to work hard for their place in the final four. After a goalless 120 minutes of football, South Africa held their nerve in the shootout – and Ellis was full of praise for how her side managed the pressure. “I said the game was not going to be easy,” she reflected after the match. “I said it was going to be a difficult game because of the group they were in and how they got…

Scottie Scheffler romped to a magnificent four-shot victory to seal his first British Open title at Royal Portrush on Sunday, notching his fourth Major success. The world No 1 eased to a three-under-par final round of 68, finishing on 17-under for the tournament after shooting in the 60s on all four days. It was the 10th successive time Scheffler has converted a 54-hole lead into a win. His dominance over the past two years has been such that, once he birdied the first hole, it seemed the chasing pack had already lost any belief of mounting a challenge. Scheffler, who took a lead he would never relinquish with a seven-under 64 on Friday, extended his run of consecutive top-10 finishes to 11 events. That streak now includes four wins, featuring…

THREE months after the shooting of a murder-accused within the premises of Wynberg Magistrate’s Court, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has not held any officials to account for the failure in security that led to the incident. The event unfolded on April 8, when armed men entered the court, resulting in Dingalomoyo Chintso’s death. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi confirmed that no disciplinary action has been taken against officials responsible for the administrative collapse at the court building. “The department is working closely with the SAPS to establish how the security breach occurs at the court building, to conclusively ascertain gaps or negligence so that appropriate remedial action can be taken. Upon conclusion of the investigation, consequence management will be undertaken,” Kubayi said. She was responding…

MISSING 6-year-old Joshlin Smith’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, together with her kidnapping and human-trafficking accomplices, will appeal against their conviction and sentence in the Western Cape High Court next month. Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn and Smith were each handed a life sentence after they were convicted on charges of trafficking in persons for exploitation, and kidnapping of a child victim, who has been sold but has still not been found. They were sentenced on May 29 by Judge Nathan Erasmus after an 8-week trial, with two days of evidence and arguments in mitigation and aggravation of sentence. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, confirmed that the appeal will be heard in the Western Cape High Court on August 12 and 13. “All three have filed papers challenging both…

FORMER board chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas), Ernest Khoza, has lost a bid to challenge the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) to remove the report implicating him in corruption. This after the Johannesburg High Court dismissed his application for Outa to remove the report from its website. It was Khoza’s second attempt after he wrote to Outa, through his attorneys, demanding the removal of the report shortly after it was published last year. The report, which was published in January 2024, exposed how Khoza and former Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande, defrauded Nsfas through kickbacks from service providers. Khoza did not respond to calls and messages. Khoza argued that Outa was no mere private party, and that the default common law position did not apply to…

A STRIKING new mural now adorns the garage door of The Service Dining Rooms (SDR) at 82 Canterbury Street in District Six, celebrating the organisation’s 90th anniversary. The SDR, which has been serving weekday meals to those in need since 1935, commissioned local artist Gogga Dedevastator – regarded as South Africa’s first graffiti artist – to create the artwork as part of their 90th anniversary month in July. The mural, which faces the street, was described by acting operations manager and board member Janey Ball as a “powerful visual anchor” for the organisation’s premises. “This mural is a tribute to the community we serve and to the long-standing partnerships that sustain our mission,” said Ball. The artwork, she added, represents “a bold festival of colour, community, and connection” in line…

HUNDREDS of conservationists and animal rights supporters gathered in Simon’s Town on Friday to protest against the proposed removal of five baboon troops from the Cape Peninsula. The demonstration followed growing public anger over the recent announcement by the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team, comprised of the City of Cape Town, CapeNature, and SANParks, which confirmed that nearly a quarter of the Peninsula’s managed baboon population could be removed. Protesters, many dressed in black and carrying signs that read “Stop the killing” and “Baboon lives matter”, marched from Simon’s Town to the local municipal offices. Chants of “Viva baboons” and “Phantsi killing” echoed through the streets as residents voiced their frustration at what they called the authorities’ failure to protect local wildlife. According to the task team, the…

Golden Fireballs coach Dr Elsje Jordaan was thrilled to finally get the monkey off their backs with a thrilling victory over the Free State Crinums in Sunday’s Telkom Netball League final at the Durban ICC. The Gauteng side ensured the perfect end to a flawless season, having won every game en route to the grand finale, clinching a hard-fought 47-40 win over the defending champions. The result also offered redemption after falling at the semi-final stage in the past two seasons. “We’re very happy. We worked very hard for this, and to see how the players chipped in – and the management – it’s a great reward after a season of really hard work. So we’re really just grateful, thankful and proud,” Jordaan told Independent Media Sport after their titanic…

It was a dream return home for South Africa’s world champion Nkosi Ndebele. On Saturday night, at the Grand Arena in Goodwood, Cape Town, the former BRAVE CF Bantamweight champion competed in Mzansi for the first time in seven years – and delivered the ultimate homecoming performance. Ndebele featured on the historic PFL Africa card at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World, where passionate South African MMA fans were treated to a world-class night of action. Fighting in the inaugural PFL Africa tournament, Ndebele (9-3) wasted no time advancing to the semi-finals of the bantamweight knockout competition. He stopped Egyptian opponent Mahmoud Atef (5-3) via TKO (strikes) with just 10 seconds remaining in the opening round. “I’m feeling great – what an experience to fight in front of my home crowd,…

A SUSPENDED Standard Bank retail manager and his alleged associate remain in custody following their arrest in what police are describing as a high-level drug trafficking investigation with suspected links to an international cartel and Colombian cocaine suppliers. Raed Cupido and Christopher Carelse appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges relating to the possession and dealing of cocaine, possession of prohibited firearms, including an AK-103 assault rifle and a Uzi Pro machine pistol, and the unlawful possession of ammunition. Police estimate that the drugs seized carry a street value of R18 million. According to an affidavit submitted by Lieutenant-Colonel Christiaan Daniel Dirk van Renen of the Western Cape Anti-Gang Unit, Cupido was arrested on June 10 after police received intelligence about suspicious activity at a Roeland…

TRADE, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has disclosed that the National Gambling Board (NGB) has recorded at least 90 online gambling websites that are currently operating illegally in South Africa. Tau said the illegal gambling websites are registered and licensed overseas. “The National Gambling Board did not engage with the operators of the illegal gambling websites, and operators did not block their illegal sites,” he said. Tau revealed this when he was responding to parliamentary questions from Rise Mzansi MP Songezo Zibi, who enquired about the approaches used by the NGB to identify illegal gambling websites and the engagements undertaken by the board with South African network operators to block illegal online gambling websites in the past five financial years, among other things. Zibi had also wanted to know…

OVER 31 days, from May 26 to June 25, City energy teams fixed close to 12 000 street lights from a total of 35 900 energy-related requests. “Vandalism, theft and illegal connections across the metro continue to impact turnaround times as damaged infrastructure often needs to be entirely replaced, which could take many hours or even days in some cases,” said mayco member for Energy, Xanthea Limberg. “We have various interventions to reduce the risk of these crimes, but as always, we need the help of our residents to report suspicious activity of their neighbourhood power infrastructure. “The impact of inclement weather, especially in winter, also can be seen in the number of street light outages. “Wet and windy weather often increases the number of service requests and also…

FOR someone who has only played three T20 Internationals, Rubin Hermann is showing an impressive ability to assess both the conditions and match situation. It probably stems from the fact that Hermann may have limited international experience but has close to a decade of playing at every level domestically. This is certainly evident in the way Hermann manipulated the field initially before exploding during his 36-ball 63 (3x4, 5x6) that eased the Proteas to their 145-run target with seven wickets and 16 balls to spare against hosts Zimbabwe on Sunday. The only blot on Hermann’s copybook was that he was not out in the middle when the winning runs were struck at the Harare Sports Club. “I think one thing we identified is that the new ball is quite tough…

Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton said team unity and passionate defence combined to produce “the greatest day of my life” as New Zealand were beaten 23-15 in the final of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy on Saturday night. It was the Baby Boks’ first victory in the tournament since 2012, when they also beat New Zealand – that time at Newlands. “I’m quite emotional, but I’m just so proud,” Norton said. “The amount of work that we put in after not a great U20 Rugby Championship … “Our backs were against the wall and we just came out and gave it everything. The group is unbelievable – the management, the coaches – we all pulled into a common idea. It wasn’t easy at times, but yes, this is…

Tim Wellens of UAE Team Emirates conquered the heat and hills of Stage 15 with a 45km solo charge to victory in Carcassonne on Sunday, bringing home a fifth win for the dominant team at this year’s Tour de France. The Belgian, who had been part of an early breakaway, launched a decisive attack that caught his fellow escapees napping. From there, he built an unassailable lead on the approach to the walled citadel and had time to high-five dozens of Belgian fans on the run-in – the perfect prelude to Belgium’s national holiday. “It makes me happier than winning a stage myself,” said overall race leader Tadej Pogacar, who pointed to his yellow jersey and added, “He helps me keep this thing every day.” The victory completed a personal…