Innehållsförteckning för 2025-06-09 från Cape Argus

Almost four decades ago, South Africa faced the worst aviation disaster in its history. This was on November 28, 1987, when, just after midnight, South African Airways Flight SA 295, en-route from Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, Taipei, Taiwan, to the then Jan Smuts International Airport in Johannesburg, vanished from the radar as it was approaching Plaisance Airport in Mauritius. According to reports at the time, the flight was nine hours in when it experienced a catastrophic cargo fire mid-flight. It is understood that due to flying just above the Indian Ocean, the pilots were unable to locate a safe place to land. This tragedy, which placed a dark mark on the nation’s history, claimed the lives of all 159 passengers on board the Boeing 747, which was also known as…

ALLEGED underworld crime boss, Nafiz Modack, was found guilty of corruption charges in the Cape Town Regional court on Friday. The conviction comes in the wake of a sentence that was handed down to former top cop Brigadier Kolindren Govender, who entered into a plea agreement with the State after he admitted that he had a corrupt relationship with Modack. Hawks spokesperson, Zinzi Hani, said: “It was reported that during November 2011, Modack acted with a common purpose by paying gratification in a total amount of R146 000 to Govender in return for special treatment. He was also convicted of defeating the ends of justice by preventing his colleagues from performing their duties.” Subsequently, Govender also admitted that in December 2012 he intervened and stopped the recovery by police of…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described ANC stalwart, Dr Tshenuwani Dean Farisani as a dedicated public servant, a mentor and a man who committed his life to uplifting disadvantaged communities. Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy at Farisani’s funeral, held at the University of Venda in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, on Saturday, where scores of mourners including Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and many other dignitaries, paid their last respects to the revered ANC stalwart during a Special Official Provincial Funeral Category Two. “Here is a reflective message. A funeral of a man of the highest stature. As we say farewell to this remarkable soul. “We should celebrate a life that is well-lived. A life that is lived with conviction with purpose and extraordinary vision. Dean Farisani was not just…

THE US government has revised its travel advisory to South Africa after President Cyril Ramaphosa met with Donald Trump at the White House, raising concerns that these may be further attempts to paint the country as a no-go zone. This latest level 2 travel advisory warning its citizens to be cautious when visiting the country, issued on May 27, comes hot on the heels of Ramaphosa's recent visit to Washington where he and his delegation pleaded with Trump to reconsider some of his recent views about a white genocide in South Africa. The advisory urges American citizens to exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. The Department of State also warns about the risk of terrorist violence and urges US Mission staff use…

A YEAR after the George building collapse, which claimed the lives of 34 people and left 28 injured, the Department of Employment and Labour continues oversight on construction sites in towns such as Knysna, which saw multiple undocumented foreign nationals taken into custody and the sites closed temporarily. In a statement, the department confirmed that during a multidisciplinary and unannounced inspection held on June 3, they visited the construction and hospitality sector in Knysna, where several undocumented workers were found. “At one construction site, gross contravention of labour legislation was discovered, which led to the temporary closure of the site,” said the department. “Multiple undocumented foreign nationals were taken into police custody on site, all thanks to the swift work of the joint venture between the department's Inspection and Enforcement…

In 1913, an American millionaire living on the top floor of Johannesburg’s Carlton Hotel had an extraordinary idea: to make films in Johannesburg. And not just any films, but the biggest in the world, grand spectacles with elaborate sets, thousands of extras, and epic storylines. Isidore Schlesinger arrived in South Africa with almost nothing. He set out to make his fortune selling American goods, telling his parents he’d return either a millionaire or a pauper. Known as “IW”, Schlesinger built a film studio on a farm called Killarney, with the ambitious goal of rivalling a place that was itself only just emerging – Hollywood, which at the time was still farmland outside Los Angeles, dotted with shacks and barns. Though movies were still in their infancy in 1913, and despite…

I spoke almost a year ago to Mark Spiegel of Stanphyl Capital in New York. He said it was just a matter of time before Musk and Trump fell out – the only question was who would shaft who first, but his view was that sooner or later everyone ‘gets Musked’. An ugly, name-calling, chest-thumping public brawl on Twitter between the richest guy in the world and the most powerful guy in the world – it’s what the platform was made for. It’s also whacked Tesla stock as bulls need to reassess their upside case for the carmaker. Both probably realise that this is doing each of them a lot of harm – Musk could lose billions of dollars in government contracts and tax credits, while Trump could see his…

If you haven’t got a lotto ticket, you can’t win the lotto. That is how Jake White feels about the Bulls’ chances of beating Leinster in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship final in Dublin. White said the challenge in front of his team is enormous but “if you are in it, you can win it.” “The wonderful thing for us is that we have a lotto ticket. You can’t win the lotto if you don’t have a ticket. We have a 50% chance of winning on Saturday. That’s how sport works.” The 2007 World Cup-winning coach said his team will be playing a match akin to a top level Test match. And when asked what it would take for the Bulls to be third time lucky in a final, White said…

Ahead of facing South Africa in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship Final, Australia’s premier batter Steve Smith revealed that he hasn’t faced a single ball since missing a full toss from Mohammed Shami in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy semi-final. After that match, where Smith scored 73 as Australia lost the semi-final, he announced his retirement from ODI cricket and spent the last three months in New York, US, focusing heavily on his fitness. While his teammates were either participating in the IPL or the County Championship, Smith did not touch a bat at all – a surprising move considering his well-known obsession with the bat and regular shadow practice. “I’d normally have a bat lying around the house somewhere and just pick it up and do a bit…

Carlos Alcaraz saved three championship points as he produced an astonishing fightback from two sets down to beat Jannik Sinner in a French Open final for the ages on Sunday. The reigning champion Alcaraz rallied from the brink of defeat to overcome world number one Sinner 4–6, 6–7 (4/7), 6–4, 7–6 (7/3), 7–6 (10/2) to clinch his fifth Grand Slam title after five hours and 29 minutes. The 22-year-old Spaniard is now unbeaten in five Grand Slam finals after snapping Sinner’s 20-match winning run at the majors. Alcaraz pulled off his first ever comeback from two sets down to stun Sinner in the longest Roland Garros final in history. It comfortably eclipsed the 1982 final in Paris, when Mats Wilander triumphed in four sets over Guillermo Vilas in 4hr 42min.…

Universal Pictures has released the highly-anticipated Wicked: For Good trailer, and fans can not contain their excitement. The teaser not only offers a captivating glimpse into an Oz at war, but also reintroduces iconic characters from The Wizard of Oz, including Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow. This sneak peek is guaranteed to entice both long-time fans and newcomers. In less than nine hours, the post on Instagram received close to two million likes. Returning to grace the big screen are the talented Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Joining them are Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Marissa Bode as Nessarose.…

AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD boy was wounded as taxi violence erupted around the Cape metropole at the weekend. The boy was hit by a stray bullet as a Strand owner was gunned down in Lwandle on Saturday night. This comes while the Cape is reeling in shock following a tragic shooting that took place on Friday morning at a Mfuleni taxi rank, where seven people, including a commuter, were shot. Gunmen stormed a Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) office and opened fire. Four men died and three were wounded in the shooting. The motive behind the attack is believed to be related to the ongoing conflict in the taxi industry. The public relations officer for the Strand Community Policing Forum (CPF), Niklaas Thysen, said the SAPS Serious and Violent…

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF) has slammed Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, for threatening to shut them and other civil society organisations down. McKenzie made these remarks in a recent interview with the Paris-based magazine, Africa Report, discussing the Afrikaner’s resettling in the US, xenophobia, and his 2029 leadership vision. McKenzie sparked controversy by calling for the dismissal of foreign nationals working in departments under his authority, with many, including the AKF, criticising him for being xenophobic. During the interview, McKenzie stated he would get rid of illegal foreigners and close down charities that are anti-government, adding that the country needs patriotic charities. When asked if that included AKF, he said the foundation is a disgrace to the memory of the anti-apartheid activist, claiming he had never…

THE City of Cape Town has launched a public participation process regarding its proposal to dispose of a portion of the Athlone Stadium parking area for mixed-use development. Members of the public have until July 7 to submit their comments. The proposal, led by the City’s Economic Growth Directorate, aims to convert under-utilised parking spaces along Klipfontein Road into a development, including retail and commercial components. The City said the project aims to stimulate economic activity and create employment while maintaining essential parking capacity during events. “The proposed mixed-use development, which aims to incorporate ancillary retail and commercial components, is expected to stimulate economic activity, create employment opportunities, and enhance socio-economic development within the district,” said mayco member for Economic Growth, James Vos. “The stadium’s central location is ideal for…

IN A LANDMARK decision, a Bellville school has finally received the green light from the Supreme Court of Appeal to change the name of Hoërskool DF Malan to DF Akademie, a crucial step in distancing itself from the legacy of one of the chief architects of apartheid. The Western Cape High Court earlier dismissed a bid by four parents to prevent the school governing body (SGB) from changing it to DF Akademie. The SGB years ago officially started the process to change the school name, but in 2021, aggrieved by the decision, four individuals – Barend Hermanus Rautenbach, Johan Smit, Francois Malan, and Barend de Klerk – launched a review application. After losing that application, they turned to the SCA. In upholding the SGB’s decision to change the name of…

Aiden Markram knows this final build-up week pretty well. The tension and excitement of it all bottled into one. Markram, of course, has gone through this all before when he led the Proteas - the only men’s South African captain ever - in the T20 World Cup final against India in Barbados last year. Here at Lord’s though, where the Proteas are preparing to face Australia in the World Test Championship final starting on Wednesday, he drops down to Temba Bavuma’s lieutenant. But that does nothing to diminish the importance of Markram’s calming influence on a group of players where the majority are tasting the rarified atmosphere of Lord’s for the first time. “It's got that (final) feel about it, for sure,” Markram told reporters, on the outskirts of the…

Last week, Sharks coach John Plumtree had no choice but to keep calm about the loss of influential captain Eben Etzebeth ahead of the United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final against the Bulls, but after his team had lost 13-25, he admitted it had been a severe blow. Last Monday, Etzebeth took a head knock in training and was forced to withdraw from the semi-final. The loss of the most-capped Springbok of all time was exacerbated by the injury to another in-form lock in Jason Jenkins, who was injured in the quarter-final against Munster. “Eben is the best lock in the world as far as I’m concerned,” the Sharks coach said. “He’s our captain, and he inspires those around him. When he’s in our group, it’s probably a different pack, so…

Tanzania's national team coach, Hemed Suleiman, has heaped praise on Azam FC midfielder Feisal Salum, as momentum builds around a potential move to Kaizer Chiefs. Salum featured for Tanzania in Friday’s international friendly against South Africa at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. At the post-match press conference, Suleiman was inundated with questions about the 27-year-old star midfielder. While on a scouting mission on the continent last week, Salum reportedly met Chiefs head coach Nabi Nasreddine and the club’s head of scouting, Thembela 'Tera' Maliwa, in Tanzania. Nabi, who previously coached Salum at Tanzanian giants Young Africans FC, is credited with transforming him from a defensive into an attacking midfielder. Since moving to Azam FC, Salum has blossomed into a consistent performer, contributing four goals and 12 assists this…

US head coach Mauricio Pochettino has dismissed speculation linking him with a return to his former club Tottenham Hotspur, following the sacking of Ange Postecoglou on Friday. The Argentine, who managed Spurs from 2014 to 2019 and led them to a Champions League final, remains a beloved figure in North London — despite never having lifted a trophy during his five-year tenure. Pochettino, who signed a two-year deal in September to lead the United States into the 2026 World Cup — co-hosted with Canada and Mexico — has nonetheless seen his name appear among the bookmakers' favourites for the vacant Spurs role. Several UK reports have also linked him to the job. However, speaking after the USA’s 2–1 friendly defeat to Turkey in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, the 52-year-old played…

A YEAR after former police officer Marius van der Westhuizen’s third parole bid was placed on hold and cancelled, he has daringly launched a fourth application. This comes 19 years after he murdered his three children in front of their mother. In response to his latest application, Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald said the bid could not be ignored legally, but that it would be challenged by recommendations made a year ago. Van der Westhuizen’s state of mind and the impact on his victims, like his ex-wife, Charlotte van der Westhuizen, would need to be considered. Last July, Van der Westhuizen’s third application was placed for review and then cancelled on the eve of when he was due to be released from the Malmesbury prison. “Legally there is nothing that…

THE Western Cape Department of Social Development has stepped in following the death of a 3-year-old child who was found home alone in Eastridge, Mitchell’s Plain, last Wednesday. The body of the child, who suffered from a disability, was found in the house in Olive Street. It is claimed the mother left the child home alone. It is speculated that the body may have been left there for more than a day. It is also alleged that the mother abuses drugs and has more children. Monique Mortlock-Malgas, Western Cape Department of Social Development spokesperson, said the matter is under investigation. “The Western Cape Department of Social Development cannot comment on the specifics of the case However, we can confirm that the department is investigating. “In general, if a report…

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) and international health experts have highlighting the rising number of flu cases and the emergence of Covid-19 Omicron subvariants, such as NB1.8.1, which have been detected in several countries. SAMA chairperson, Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa said that while there is no formal call to reintroduce mask mandates, precautionary measures remain important. He said, “If you have symptoms, whether flu symptoms or similar symptoms, it’s always good to protect those that are around you by putting on a mask, but making sure that you don’t attend gatherings, large gatherings, if you have flu symptoms.” The new Covid-19 variants are being closely monitored worldwide, with the World Health Organisation classifying NB1.8.1 as a variant under observation, said Mzukwa. “We’re looking at its spread, its severity, but…

AS SEVERE weather settled over Cape Town, a devastating fire in Silvertown, Khayelitsha, left over 140 people displaced and destroyed 45 structures in the early hours of Saturday. Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell confirmed the fire broke out late on Friday night, with City officials conducting assessments the following morning. “Following an assessment by Disaster Risk Management officials, it was determined that 45 structures were destroyed, impacting 145 individuals,” she said. City departments have been mobilised to clear debris and restore damaged municipal infrastructure. Humanitarian assistance is being provided by The Salvation Army and Gift of the Givers, while the names of affected residents have been submitted to Sassa and the National Department of Human Settlements for additional support. Ward councillor Thando Pimpi said the community suspects a candle…

A DINER at the Stellenbosch-based Beyerskloof Wine Bar, who said she ingested a needle-like object which she claimed was in her hamburger, has won her damages claim against the establishment after the Western Cape High Court found the restaurant’s breach of care was linked to her harm. Maxine Williams blamed the wine bar for her ingesting the foreign object, and she claimed more than R750 000 in damages against the establishment. The restaurant, meanwhile, disputed that it was the cause of any danger. Williams testified that on the evening of October 3, 2020, she and her husband visited the restaurant and each ordered a hamburger and sides. Halfway through her meal, she experienced a sensation of discomfort, as though something was lodged in her throat. She noticed some blood in…

Coco Gauff said her maiden French Open trophy was "one I really wanted" after clinching the title with a gritty win over Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday. The 21-year-old American fought back from a set down to beat the world number one 6–7 (5/7), 6–2, 6–4 in challenging, windy conditions on Court Philippe-Chatrier. “I felt like this is one I really wanted, because I do think this was one of the tournaments that, when I was younger, I felt I had the best shot of winning,” Gauff reflected, after her triumph. “So, I just felt like if I went through my career and didn’t get at least one of these, I would feel regrets and stuff. (Saturday), playing Aryna, I was just, ‘I just gotta go for it and try my…

Historically, the balance of power has often tipped in favour of the PSL teams during the dreaded PSL promotion/relegation play-offs. This season’s three-team mini-tournament, initially scheduled to start at the end of last month, will now kick off on Wednesday in Rustenburg. The play-offs were postponed due to unresolved issues in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, involving Durban City, JDR Stars, and Cape Town Spurs. As a result, the league’s restructuring has now set the stage for the two National First Division (NFD) teams — Casric Stars and Orbit College — from the Motsepe Foundation Championship to begin their campaign later this week. Casric Stars, a Mpumalanga-based club, finished third, while Orbit College, based in Rustenburg, finished runners-up to NFD winners Durban City FC. Over the past decade, top-flight PSL sides…

Mamelodi Sundowns made a grand departure for the Fifa Club World Cup in the US at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday afternoon. Sundowns’ players were clad in new, colourful tracksuits specially designed for the tournament, while the technical teams wore sleek grey attire. Head coach Miguel Cardoso stood out in a knitted hat featuring the South African flag — a symbolic and impeccable choice from the Portugal-born manager. It reflected both the team’s and his readiness to carry the nation's hopes on the global stage. Sundowns have been a beacon of hope for South African sport, coming agonisingly close to lifting the CAF Champions League title just a week ago. However, their aspirations were dashed at the final hurdle, losing the second leg 2–1 to Pyramids in Cairo, and…