Innehållsförteckning för 2025-08-01 från Cape Argus

Ten municipalities have been fingered for failing to pay salaries of municipal employees in at least five provinces since April this year. The implicated municipalities are in KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, North West, Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape. The culprits are Mafube, Kopanong, Mohokare, Impendle, Jozini, Nkomazi, Thaba Chweu, !Kheis, Ditsobotla and Mamusa local municipalities. Kopanong, Thaba Chweu, and Ditsobotla local municipalities have a history of non-payment of salaries, as they had been experiencing the same issue during the 2024/25 financial year. This was revealed by Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, when he responded in writing to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Constance Nonhlanhla Mkhonto. He explained that a municipal manager was responsible for the management of the expenditure of the municipality, and was also mandated…

Experienced campaigners Ayanda Malinga, Danelle Lochner, and Lindelwa Gwala are back in the Springbok Women matchday squad for Saturday’s second match against the Black Ferns XV. Coach Swys de Bruin has once more tweaked his combinations for the Bok Women’s final match before the World Cup in England next month. Malinga, who scored a try against Canada in Gqeberha three weeks ago, returns to the left wing after being declared fit following a shoulder strain. At the same time, Lochner, who also played in that match, has recovered from a facial fracture to run out at Athlone Stadium this weekend. Lindelwa Gwala, the Springbok Women’s most experienced hooker with 35 Test caps, returns after she missed both Tests against Canada. Byrhandré Dolf also returns to the starting team after sitting…

Track and field athletes aiming to take part in the female category in elite competitions will have to take a gene test from September, World Athletics has announced. The test will be in place in time for the World Championships which take place in Tokyo on September 13-21. "It is really important in a sport that is permanently trying to attract more women that they enter a sport believing there is no biological glass ceiling," said World Athletics president Sebastian Coe. "The test to confirm biological sex is a very important step in ensuring this is the case." The test for the SRY gene, which is part of the Y chromosome and causes male characteristics to develop, can be done by a cheek swab or a blood test. If the…

The much-anticipated 2025/26 campaign kicks off with the season’s curtain-raiser – the MTN8 – where the top eight teams from last season will battle it out for early bragging rights and momentum in what promises to be another demanding campaign. Defending champions Orlando Pirates will be aiming for a historic fourth successive title, having dominated the competition over the last three seasons. Their 3-1 triumph over Stellenbosch FC in last year’s final not only extended their legacy in local cup competitions but also solidified their place among recent greats. However, with a revamped squad and a new coach in Abdeslam Ouaddou, there may be a window of opportunity for the chasing pack to finally halt their dominance. Most clubs have reinforced significantly during the off-season, and the MTN8 presents the…

It’s strange to look back at the 1990s and realise that, even here on the tip of Africa, everyone knew who Wayne Gretzky was. The same was true — even more profoundly — of Ayrton Senna. These were names that transcended borders and sports, legends shaped not just by talent, but by the drama and danger that defined their eras. Back then, the World Wide Web was still an undiscovered country, and the world felt both larger and more connected in unexpected ways. Brazilian Senna wasn’t just a F1 driver — he was a global icon, forged in a time when the sport still had real teeth. I was still a youngster, and although I couldn’t fully comprehend Senna’s death, even I understood, as a 10-year-old in 1994, that the…

Tyla’s We Wanna Party is a four-track mixtape that runs for 11 minutes, and it’s all about, well, partying. Released on July 25, the mixtape is a pre-game before the actual party. A week has passed since Tyla dropped the highly-anticipated mixtape, and it’s time to take a closer look at what this new project has to offer. Given the title, you would expect a high-energy, dancefloor-friendly vibe, and for the most part, that’s exactly what you get. The mixtape kicks off with Dynamite, a collaboration with Nigerian sensation Wizkid that blends Afrobeats with catchy vocals. The track has a fun, back-and-forth vibe, with Tyla and Wizkid trading lines showing us their undeniable chemistry. The beat is moving and, listening to this, I was instantly transported to a summer party…

THE uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has threatened to take to the streets following the ruling made by the Constitutional Court, which unanimously dismissed the party’s case challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to put police minister Senzo Mchunu on leave of absence, appoint Prof Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister and establish the Madlanga commission of inquiry. Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on special leave after serious allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that he colluded with a criminal syndicate, accepted illicit payments, interfered in investigations and disbanded a specialised task force into political killings. The court ruled that the MKP had erred when it took the matter to the apex court, adding that the matter failed to engage the court’s exclusive jurisdiction. Justice Rammaka Mathopo said no case had been made…

SET to make its debut on the World Supercross calendar, Cape Town will host the 2025 FIM World Supercross Championship finale at DHL Stadium on December 13. It marks the first time the global championship will take place in Cape Town – the final stop in a season that begins in Kuala Lumpur and spans five continents. During the South African Grand Prix, the world’s best supercross riders go head-to-head for championship glory. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed the announcement. “Bringing World Supercross to Cape Town is a massive moment for the sport in our country. South Africa has a proud motocross and supercross fan base, and we’re excited to host the season finale at the iconic DHL Stadium. “We look forward to showcasing the energy, beauty, and world-class hospitality Cape…

Each year, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, commemorated on July 30, reminds South Africa of the urgent need to confront human trafficking, a crime that flourishes in secrecy and preys on the country’s more vulnerable. The 2025 theme, ‘Human Trafficking is Organised Crime: End exploitation’, highlights the organised, systematic nature of trafficking and the urgent need to dismantle the powerful criminal networks behind it. Human trafficking in South Africa is a complex, hidden crime embedded within organised criminal networks. It encompasses sex trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude, organ smuggling, illegal adoption, debt bondage, forced surrogacy and even the use of body parts in traditional rituals. South Africa is both a source and destination for trafficking, with victims trafficked within its borders and from neighbouring countries like Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi…

Something special is brewing in the Boland after the Currie Cup Premier Division returnees shocked the Cheetahs in last week’s opening round of the much-loved domestic tournament. The men in black beat the Free Staters thanks to a score in the eighth minute of extra time, in front of a packed crowd in Wellington, to announce their return to top-flight rugby. One of the ecstatic Boland players was a former Cheetah in outside centre David Brits. The 28-year-old Brits is on loan from the Blitzboks and produced a standout performance in front of a packed stadium. He not only crossed the tryline himself but also set up flyhalf Ashlon Davids’ second five-pointer of the afternoon, making the final pass to Davids. The home team won the match with Donovan Don,…

Keanu Cupido thought he’d be flying out to the United States for an all-expenses paid holiday when he made Mamelodi Sundowns’ final squad for the Fifa Club World Cup. But rather than finding himself soaking up the sunshine of Florida, Cupido became an integral part of coach Miguel Cardoso’s plans. The Portugal-born coach surprisingly drafted Cupido into the starting lineup from the onset, and ended up starting the next two group matches too. Cupido, speaking on the sidelines of the MTN8 launch this week ahead of their quarter-final tie at home to Richards Bay Sunday, admitted he was shocked after getting the nod to start. “It’s not about (walking) straight into the team. It’s been about working behind the scenes. So, it’s just hard work that paid off,” the…

THE South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB’s) decision to cut the prime lending rate by 0.25 percentage points to 10.5% was widely expected but still brought relief to consumers as inflation continues its slow rise. Governor Lesetja Kganyago yesterday said the Monetary Policy Committee had voted unanimously for the cut in a stable inflationary environment. This was the fifth reduction since September, with a cumulative 1.25 percentage point drop. The move is aligned with a cautious global trend toward stimulating consumer spending and investment, says Bradd Bendall, the national head of sales at BetterBond. “Homeowners will welcome today’s decision to drop the prime lending rate to 10.5% - a level last seen in 2022,” Bendall said. He added that a lower prime lending rate provides much-needed relief to consumers and…

TRADE, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau is digging in his heels over the appointment of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) board members. This comes after Tau told DA MP Toby Chance and EFF MP Sinawo Thambo that his reply to specific questions will be provided at the meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition. He stated that he had been invited to brief the portfolio committee on the appointment of the IDC board on July 22, but the meeting was postponed. “Upon the rescheduling of the meeting, specific questions will be directly responded to during the meeting or after if there is still a need,” he said in his standard response. Chance yesterday accused Tau of being evasive. “He has provided no information at all… We…

THE Cape Town Collective Ratepayers’ Association (CTCRA) has welcomed a court case brought by the South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa) against the City of Cape Town over how it calculates certain charges on municipal bills. Sapoa has taken the City to the Western Cape High Court, arguing that linking fixed water and sewage charges to property value is unlawful – a view shared by the CTCRA, a newly formed body made up of 57 civic and ratepayer associations across Cape Town. Its interim chair is Noordhoek Ratepayers’ Association chairperson Bas Zuidberg. In response to Sapoa’s legal challenge, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the association was acting to protect the profits of the country’s wealthiest property owners at the expense of ordinary Capetonians. “Sapoa represents the largest and wealthiest…

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus says the first week of the team’s conditioning camp in Johannesburg has laid a solid foundation for the forthcoming Rugby Championship, and momentum will be accelerated when the players reassemble on Sunday. The team wrapped up the first block of training on Thursday and will spend the weekend with their families before reporting for duty again in a few days, where they will continue to build on their structures for the opening leg of the tournament. The Boks play back-to-back Test matches against the Wallabies in Johannesburg on Saturday, August 16, and Cape Town on August 23. “We had an intense week of conditioning to get the players ready for what will undoubtedly be a challenging Rugby Championship campaign against some of the top teams in…

Oscar Piastri returns to the scene of his first victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend seeking to stretch his lead in the title race over his McLaren teammate Lando Norris. The 24-year-old Australian, with six wins from 13 races this year, has a 16-point lead over Norris, but he is well aware of the potential pitfalls ahead. "I'm looking forward to going back to where I had my first win," said Piastri. "It's a great city and a cool track and a fun weekend so it will be nice, but once we are in the cars and out on track all that will be forgotten." His victory last year came with the help of team orders. Having taken the lead from pole-sitter Norris at the start he fell…

As the 2025/26 season kicks off, Limpopo’s top-flight hopefuls find themselves at opposite ends of the ambition spectrum. Sekhukhune United, led by seasoned tactician Eric Tinkler, are gunning for cup glory and a repeat Top 4 finish. Meanwhile, newly stabilised Magesi FC, under new boss John Maduka, will be focused on survival and steady progress after last season’s relegation scare. Sekhukhune United Eric Tinkler offered a shot at redemption Club owner: Simon Malatji Head Coach: Eric Tinkler Highest ever finish: 4th Competitions participating in: Betway Premiership, Carling Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup Silvareware chances: They have a 50% chance to any domestic cup silver, but league-wise, they remain a middle level team. In the heart of Limpopo, a sporting narrative is unfolding with ever-improving Sekhukhune United, affectionately known as ‘Babina…