Indholdsfortegnelse for 2026-01-26 i Cape Argus

There are shows in almost all 12 official languages. But no matter what the language, entertainment always finds the right audience. With the beloved 7de Laan gone from TV schedules, one might be looking for their new favourite Afrikaans show, or maybe you just don’t know what’s available. Fret not, here are options that you are sure to enjoy. Volspoed Volspoed is now streaming exclusively on Showmax, with new episodes every Tuesday. The adrenaline-fuelled reality series takes viewers straight into the demanding world of endurance racing, following Antonie Marx as he chases podium finishes at full speed. At his side is his wife, Ronette Marx, a former Miss South Africa finalist who keeps everything running smoothly off the track and holds the fort when the pressure peaks. Spanning eight episodes,…

The City of Cape Town has heeded the call by civic organisations and ratepayers to reopen community pools which are closed during weekdays and open on weekends. The group penned an urgent letter to the City and began a petition calling for it to be reopened. In response, Mayco Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham confirmed that community pools will be open from Wednesday to Sunday each week as of January 28. “This will be piloted at all swimming pools for the rest of the season, ending April 6, to assess demand and viability,” she said. The parties involved include Umbrella Civic 57+, Aqua-aerobics for seniors group at Trafalgar, Bonteheuwel Development Forum, Cape Town Commons Collective, Observatory Civic Association, Reclaim the City, Trafalgar Amateur Aquatic Club, Walmer…

A 19-year-old man has been apprehended in connection with the brutal mass shooting at a shebeen in Philippi East, a tragedy that claimed the lives of nine people earlier this month. The arrest marks a major breakthrough in one of the Western Cape’s most shocking acts of violence this year. The attack occurred in the early hours of January 17, at a shebeen in the Marikana informal settlement, where gunmen opened fire on patrons inside the shack. Eight men and one woman were killed, and another person was seriously injured. Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed the arrest, which followed intensive investigations by specialised police units. The suspect, arrested on Friday in Zweletemba, Worcester, now faces nine counts of murder and one count of attempted murder when he…

In a tragic incident that has left the Samora Machel community reeling, three young men were shot dead and a fourth injured in a brazen attack on Saturday morning. The shooting occurred shortly before noon on Oliver Tambo Drive, where the victims, aged between 16 and 21, were inside a white Suzuki Ertiga when unidentified assailants opened fire. Three victims were fatally wounded and a 19-year-old was taken to a medical facility for treatment. Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut confirmed that detectives from the Serious and Violent Crime Unit are on the investigation. Traut said: “The SAPS condemns the violent shooting incident that claimed the lives of three young people in Samora Machel on Saturday morning, January 24. “The motive for the attack is still unknown. “Samora Machel SAPS has…

The City of Cape Town has secured an international grant of approximately R285 million to strengthen early childhood development (ECD) services in high-need communities, improve regulatory compliance, and support violence prevention interventions in vulnerable communities across the city. This follows the approval of a funding agreement signed by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis. The report authorising the agreement was signed during the City council recess in terms of the mayor’s executive authority. According to a statement released by the City of Cape Town, the funding, provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) on behalf of the German government and administered through development bank KfW, forms part of a broader programme valued at approximately R525m. The programme is aimed at improving outcomes for young children, caregivers and families…

Her Perfect Hero Emma Bennet Narrated by Rebecca Norfolk Audible Studios Her Perfect Hero, narrated by Rebecca Norfolk, arrives as an enticing addition to the Cozy Romances series. Released earlier this week, this five-hour gem presents listeners with a light-hearted journey through love, friendship, and the sometimes convoluted paths to finding Prince Charming. The story unfolds in the picturesque village of Nettle Wood, where romance novelist Bronte Huntington dedicates her days to crafting happy endings for her characters. However, while her fictional heroines find their Prince Charmings, Bronte grapples with her own longing for a fairy-tale romance. Enter Ryan, her cheerful new neighbour, whose Irish accent and warm demeanour ignite more than just a casual friendship. Yet, as Bronte soon learns, the journey to true love is far from linear.…

A social worker, Jessie Thompson, in the case (“illegal firearm discharge”) of Julius Malema, the president of the EFF, explained that in the charge, there was no intent to cause harm … it was a celebration. However, the magistrate, Twanet Olivier, questioned whether “anyone who is having a birthday today may walk down Oxford Street, shoot a firearm, and say it is their birthday and they are celebrating …?” One should conclude that the magistrate was sarcastic or ignorant or deliberate or wanted clarity. Anyone would know that the usage of weapons during celebrations is not a new phenomenon. The 21-gun salute is the most obvious and popular one. The custom is linked to the naval tradition, and there are several reasons argued on why it existed. The first…

Sunrisers Eastern Cape pulled off an incredible heist to secure a third Betway SA20 championship in a thrilling final at Newlands yesterday. Dewald Brevis’ magnificent 101 had seemingly set up the Pretoria Capitals for their maiden title, but Sunrisers captain Tristan Stubbs (62 not out off 41 balls) and Matthew Breetzke (68 not out off 50 balls) delivered an unbroken 114-run partnership to steal victory from the jaws of defeat. The Sunrisers appeared dead and buried when they required 56 runs from the final four overs. Breetzke had held the innings together with 45 off 41 balls at that point, but he needed a partner to inject impetus from the other end. Enter Stubbs. The Sunrisers captain had been guilty of not seizing the momentum earlier in the competition, but…

The Bulls may have won their last two matches, but coach Johan Ackermann is keeping his troops grounded following the horror of their recent seven-match losing streak. The Bulls returned home yesterday from a dogged 19-17 defeat of Edinburgh and have already turned their attention to this week’s “revenge” SA derby against the Lions at Ellis Park. In November last year, the Lions shocked the Bulls 43-33 in Pretoria. In Edinburgh, the Bulls started slowly and had to overcome a 17-5 half-time deficit to secure the spoils. For Ackermann, the result was too close for comfort. “We all strive for that perfect game where you finish every 22m entry, so that is a big work-on,” Ackermann said. “I think the first positive is that we made Edinburgh work hard in…

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is seeking to appeal a Labour Court ruling that overturned the dismissal of Wesley Neumann, the former principal of Heathfield High School, and instead issued him a final written warning. Earlier, political parties questioned the cost of the five-year case, which is believed to be over R4 million. Neumann was dismissed in 2020 after dedicating himself to keeping the school closed due to safety concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic, and faced misconduct charges. In response, the Special Action Committee – Education (SAC-E) said it rejects the WCED’s claim that merely filing an application for leave to appeal automatically suspends the court order, citing that it was misleading and created confusion in the public domain. In a statement issued and court documents shared, Education MEC…

A pony was seized by inspectors from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA after it was found pulling a cart in Kensington loaded with a vehicle shell and heavy scrap metal – a load estimated to be more than three times the animal’s body weight. The incident occurred on Thursday while SPCA Inspector Julian Van Der Zandt was on standby with the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit ahead of the execution of an unrelated warrant in the area. While waiting for additional officers, the team noticed the pony struggling to pull the heavily laden cart through the street and intervened. “The load this pony was forced to pull posed an immediate and serious risk to its life,” said Van Der Zandt. “No animal should ever be…

Ahead of the Cabinet Lekgotla scheduled for next week, DA leader John Steenhuisen has articulated his expectations regarding discussions that could shape the forthcoming State of the Nation Address and the 2026 budget. Steenhuisen emphasised that a focus on the economy and job creation is paramount, stating, “nothing else makes sense unless we’re setting out very clearly how we intend to grow the economy and create jobs”. He noted that job creation shouldn’t rest solely with President Cyril Ramaphosa or the Treasury; rather, it is the responsibility of every minister in government to demonstrate progress in their respective sectors. “I think we all need to be held accountable for how many jobs we’re creating in our programs and in our sectors,” he said, emphasising a collaborative effort amidst challenging economic…

The chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Tebogo Letsie, obtained a restraining order against the deputy of a forum called Save Unisa from publishing allegations that Letsie had secured a R82 million security tender from Unisa. Letsie issued an urgent application last week against Simamkele Xani from publishing or republishing these allegations on social media platforms. The court confirmed Letsie’s contention that the allegations are defamatory as it directly implied corruption on his part. The allegation was made in a letter written by Xani’s attorneys in November last year, in which it was claimed that the tender, stretching over three years, was corruptly made to Letsie. The letter was sent to various recipients. Xani has crossed swords with Unisa in the past regarding issues which include the…

A VIRAL video showing a woman being forcibly removed from the Tygervalley Home Affairs office has reignited concerns about the reliability of its online booking system, with the department claiming the woman obtained a slot via a third party and that the security guard has been removed. The one-minute-and-30-second video, which circulated on social media on Thursday, shows security personnel pushing a woman out of the department’s offices, causing her to fall. In the footage, the woman appears distressed and short of breath as she indicates that she had a confirmed appointment on her phone and alleges that her spectacles and handbag were damaged during the altercation. The video was shared alongside a social media post by another client who said they were present during the incident. The post claimed…

Sharks coach JP Pietersen threw down the gauntlet to prop Phatu Ganyane and loose-forward Nick Hatton ahead of Saturday’s crunch United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against the Stormers in Cape Town this past weekend – and he was proud of the way the young duo responded against their much-vaunted rivals. The visitors claimed a famous first victory at the DHL Stadium in the URC-era, powering to a 30-19 bonus-point win in front of a sold-out crowd. Loosehead prop Ganyane enjoyed a strong 30-minute cameo from the start – Pietersen did not reveal if the move was borrowed from Rassie Erasmus’ Bok playbook – before the Junior Bok made way for Springbok powerhouse Ox Nche. His battle against veteran Bok tighthead Neethling Fouché in the scrums was crucial, as the youngster…

Netball South Africa (NSA) have publicly thrown their weight behind Spar Proteas head coach Jenny van Dyk after a wave of online criticism targeted her squad selection for the upcoming three-Test series against England’s Vitality Roses in Johannesburg. The series, scheduled to start on Thursday in Johannesburg, is crucial for the Proteas as they fine-tune their preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this year. Van Dyk confirmed her 15-player squad last week following a two-day training camp – a selection process the coach described as competitive and aimed at building depth in the national setup. The squad includes a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent, reflecting a balance between experience and long-term development. “Selecting a team is never an easy exercise because every invited player brings their…

Gordon Ramsay is the subject of an exciting new Netflix documentary that promises to show a side of the culinary icon we have never seen before. Titled Being Gordon Ramsay, the six-part series is officially set to premiere on February 18. While we are used to seeing him as the fiery, shouting mentor in Hell’s Kitchen or the blunt saviour of failing businesses in Kitchen Nightmares, this project takes a much more personal turn. It follows him over a high-pressure nine-month period as he prepares to open five new restaurants in London’s 22 Bishopsgate building. For those who might only know him for his colourful language and sharp wit, Ramsay actually rose to fame through incredible talent and a relentless work ethic. Born in Scotland and raised in England, he…

Provincial MEC for Education, David Maynier, has cautioned the public against speculating that an electricity connection caused the death of an eight-year-old boy at Klapmuts Primary School but said its involvement would be investigated. Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, has since confirmed that a post-mortem would be conducted to determine the cause of death. “Klapmuts police have registered an inquest to investigate following an incident at a primary school in Klapmuts involving an eight-year-old boy on Friday, January 23, at about 7.45am. The victim was transported to a medical facility for treatment, where he was declared deceased.” A post on social media claiming the boy, identified as Matthew Baartman, drank water from a tap and then touched an electrical wire went viral. GOOD Stellenbosch Municipality councillor Marius van Stade called…

A 37-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly lured a 15-year-old to Cape Town under the pretence that she was going to study but forced her into marriage. He was charged for trafficking in persons and rape. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks said the teenage girl who travelled alone to South Africa in March last year after being told she would be relocating to study. According to the Hawks, the girl met the accused in Johannesburg and travelled with him to Cape Town, where she was allegedly forced into marriage shortly after arriving. The Hawks said the girl was expected to engage in sexual intercourse with the man and was physically assaulted when she refused. Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani said the victim later escaped. “The girl…

The City of Cape Town has warned that electricity consumers could be forced to shoulder steep tariff hikes to correct a regulatory error, despite Eskom being in a stronger financial position than originally forecast. The City has called on the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to halt plans that could allow Eskom to impose additional increases of up to 10.5% a year for the next two years – potentially more than double the initially approved 5% to 6%. Nersa’s proposal follows a court ruling that found a calculation error in Eskom’s original tariff application, after asset depreciation was not properly accounted for in the regulator’s earlier decision. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the proposed correction was based on flawed figures and risked unfairly transferring the consequences of regulatory mistakes…

The much-anticipated SPAR Cape Town Ramadaan & Lifestyle Expo, one of the Mother City’s largest cultural and community events, is set to return to Green Point A Track from Friday to Sunday. This celebration will honour food, culture, faith, and family. Cape Argus and Weekend Argus are once again proud media partners supporting this dynamic showcase of community and lifestyle. For over a decade, the Expo has evolved into a must-attend experience for families, entrepreneurs, and patrons from all walks of life, spotlighting more than 200 exhibitors, cultural activities, entertainment, and unique shopping opportunities. “Our continued partnership with Radio 786’s Ramadaan Expo reflects the Cape Argus and Weekend Argus’ commitment to celebrating the diverse cultural fabric of Cape Town,” said Liesl van der Schyff, Acting Editor of Cape Argus. “We’re…

Residents can be reassured that Muizenberg’s iconic beachfront huts will retain their historic design, despite being relocated as part of the Muizenberg beachfront upgrade, the City said. The eight existing huts will be replaced with new structures that match the look and feel of those currently located next to the Waves for Change and Shark Spotters buildings. Mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, said the City is committed to preserving the heritage aesthetic that has made Muizenberg beach an internationally recognised landmark. He said the huts need to be set back by approximately two metres to allow for the construction of a new seawall without reducing the width of the beach. The relocation is in response to climate change impacts, including rising sea levels and storm…

Pretoria Capitals 158/7 Dewald Brevis 101, Bryce Parsons 30; Marco Jansen 3/10, Anrich Nortje 1/19 Sunrisers Eastern Cape 162/4 Matthew Breetzke 68*, Tristan Stubbs 63*; Keshav Maharaj 1/23 SEC won by six wickets Unheralded Sunrisers Eastern Cape batter Matthew Breetzke described winning the Betway SA20 as “special” after the Gqeberha-based team beat the Pretoria Capitals by six wickets to claim their third title in four seasons. Going into the final, Breetzke was by no means the form player, while Tristan Stubbs’ numbers were arguably worse. However, under immense pressure at Newlands on Sunday, it was this duo that stood out, digging in to take the Sunrisers over the line. Both batters showed great determination, rotating the strike consistently and running hard between the wickets as they struggled to find boundaries…

Confident teenager Iva Jovic said yesterday she has no “underdog mentality” after barrelling into her first Grand Slam quarter-final and a meeting with two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka. The 18-year-old American was undaunted on John Cain Arena against the vastly more experienced Yulia Putintseva, ripping her apart 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 dominant minutes. It marked another giant step in the emergence of Jovic, who stunned two-time Grand Slam finalist and seventh seed Jasmine Paolini in round three for the biggest scalp of her career. She now faces the daunting challenge of Sabalenka, who swatted aside another teenager – Jovic’s good friend and doubles partner Victoria Mboko –in straight sets, also yesterday, 7-6, 6-1. “I don’t really feel like there is a lot of house money or underdog mentality…

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has urged patience and perspective after his side were held to a goalless draw by Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership. Pirates dropped points against Babina Noko on Saturday but remained firmly in the title race, with Ouaddou stressing that consistency and belief in the process will ultimately be decisive in what he described as a demanding league. “Every point counts in this league and I think we all agree that it’s a tough league and Sekhukhune is a very good team, one of the best teams in the league,” Ouaddou said. Pirates dominated large spells of the contest, controlling possession and territory, but once again found converting pressure into goals to be their biggest challenge. In spite of that, Ouaddou felt the overall…

Aston Villa closed to within four points of the Premier League summit with an impressive 2-0 win at Newcastle, while Chelsea climbed into the top four on Sunday. Villa bounced back from a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Everton last weekend to remain on the fringes of the title race. Emi Buendia put Unai Emery’s men on course for their first win at St James’ Park since 2005 with a brilliant strike from outside the box on 19 minutes. Newcastle were shorn of inspiration without injured captain Bruno Guimaraes in a damaging defeat for their chances of Champions League qualification. Ollie Watkins set the seal on Villa’s victory when the England international headed in Lucas Digne’s cross two minutes from time. Newcastle slip to ninth but remain only three…