Innehållsförteckning för 2025-08-11 från Cape Argus

The transformative power of romantic relationships has for generations formed the premise of classic movies, the arcs of beloved television series and the inspiration behind hit songs. My Oxford Year, a new Netflix romantic comedy, is the latest offering which chronicles a love story so heartbreaking, you will be wiping your tears long after the credits have rolled. What elevates this production, which remains one of the streamer’s most popular movies since its release at the beginning of August, is the gut-wrenching plot twist which has sparked a fierce debate online. Its fresh cast of American and British talents have done an excellent job at portraying the vast range of emotions – from comedy to bliss and heartbreak – that the genre demands. Sofia Carson, the film’s leading lady, has…

A 56-YEAR-OLD man, who serves as the chairperson of the Strand Community Policing Forum (CPF), has been arrested on several charges of sexual offences against a minor. According to police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie, the accused was remanded in custody after appearing in the Strand Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. He is scheduled to return to court on Thursday for a bail application. The State has indicated it will oppose the bail appllication. "Police arrested the 56-year-old suspect on August 6 in connection with two counts of sexual assault levelled against him. He appeared in the Strand Magistrate's Court the same day. "Khayelitsha Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit is probing a sexual assault case following an incident which allegedly happened on June 3 at the workplace of…

A CANDLELIGHT service was held in Athlone and saw six policing sub-districts gather to honour fallen heroes and celebrate women’s strengths. The event was hosted by the City of Cape Town District Women’s Network, an organisation dedicated to empowering and supporting women within the policing precincts of the Cape Town district. They worked along with the South African Police Service and the event was held on Thursday at the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings. Police spokesperson, Jayce Naidoo, said women from various policing precincts came together to celebrate their victories and remember victims for gender violence. “This auspicious occasion saw women from various policing precincts gather to reflect on the historical struggles and triumphs of women…

THE Western Cape High Court will hold a special hearing in September after several civil society groups applied to join the case on the decriminalisation of sex work as amici curiae (friends of the court). The hearings are set to take place between September 1-2. In 2022, the Decriminalisation Bill was introduced, but progress in legalisation has been deemed by those affected as too slow, sparking legal action. After years of delays and no clear timeline for change, a sex worker known as S.H., together with SWEAT (the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce), decided to take legal action. S.H. and SWEAT filed a case in May 2024 to challenge the laws that criminalise adult sex work, arguing that these laws violate constitutional rights like equality, dignity, safety, privacy, and…

DEPUTY Director-General at the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco), Clayson Monyela, took to X to clarify the reason the Russian servicemen onboard the Russian Navy Baltic Fleet training vessel, The Smolny, which is in Cape Town on its Africa-Asia voyage, were denied permission to leave the ship. He says they do not have passports. “The reason the sailors are not able to disembark is that none of them have passports. Immigration laws. This is Department of Home Affairs terrain,” Monyela wrote on X. “Diplomatic relations between the two countries are cordial and excellent. President Ramaphosa and (Russian President) Putin spoke on the phone on more pressing geopolitical issues,” he continued. On Thursday, the uMkhonto weSizwe party (MK) called out the Government of National Unity (GNU) for “denying” the…

The Boland Cavaliers showed their Currie Cup mettle on Sunday as they subdued the Lions with excellent defence and a powerful scrummaging and lineout performance to claim a vital 29-10 bonus-point victory in Wellington. After two good wins, the Johannesburg side looked a shadow of the team they had been in the previous games, losing the physical battle, faltering in the lineouts, missing numerous tackles, and spilling their ball at scrum time. It was their counterparts who looked more dangerous, and the shock win in front of their home fans will give the Bolanders plenty of confidence as they continue a bright start to the tournament. Despite losing their captain early in the game, and copping a yellow card in the first five minutes, the Cavaliers started the game off…

Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on new signing Tijjani Reijnders after the Dutch midfielder scored two second-half goals as Manchester City beat Palermo 3-0 in Sicily. Reijnders joined City from AC Milan in June, before going on to play three times for Guardiola’s side at the Fifa Club World Cup in the US, and he was the star of the show in Sicily as City ran out comfortable winners against their City Football Group sister club. The 27-year-old is comfortable operating in a deep midfield role, but it is in the attacking position he played against Palermo that Pep feels he has ‘special’ qualities. “We knew that he is a special player arriving into the box," said Guardiola. "He loves to do that. People in Italy know him perfectly (after…

Orlando Pirates’ coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has stressed that it will be crucial for the team to bounce back from their defeat in the first game of the Betway Premiership season. Sekhukhune United handed Pirates a sour start to the league, beating them 1-0 away at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Siphesihle Mkhize scored Sekhukhune’s solitary goal early in the second half, burying home a rebound following a scramble inside Pirates’ box. That win ensured that Babina Noko showed early signs of living up to their “dark horses” tag this season, while the loss put Pirates’ plans into jeopardy from the outset. Pirates are expected to challenge for — and win — the Premiership this season, as the club have invested heavily in preparations and squad strengthening. Ouaddou conceded that they…

Socialite and social media personality Nandipha Mlombi returns to Mzansi screens on a new reality show, Nandi and The Rev, this August. Queen Nandi, as her fans affectionately call her, was first introduced to Mzansi on the reality show The Pastor’s Wives. Since then, she has amassed a following on social media. She now returns to screens on Nandi and The Rev, her reality show which features her husband Reverend Mawuzole and their children. Speaking to IOL, Mlombi shared that having a reality TV show of her own is an answer to her prayers. “It took a lot of convincing to get Boo on board, as he had suffered a lot from taking part in Pastor’s Wives,” she said. Mlombi had an honest conversation with her husband about him filming…

MORE police officials are likely to face the music and be suspended if police commissioner Fannie Masemola is to be arrested, according to crime analysts. This comes in the wake of allegations that the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) obtained a warrant of arrest against Masemola. The alleged arrest is related to abuse of slush funds from the secret service account of crime intelligence. It has been alleged that Masemola conspired with Lieutenant-General Duminsa Khumalo, head of crime intelligence, to purchase properties without adhering to proper procedures. This involves the purchase of the Veroz Boutique Hotel in Pretoria North and Kyalami Lodge in Midrand. Veroz Boutique Hotel, which has 23 bedrooms and a presidential suite, is valued at R43 400 000 and Kyalami Lodge, with 75 bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms,…

THE shooting of a prominent Hermanus businesswoman and taxi owner has shocked the local community. Three unknown gunmen shot and killed 59-year-old Julia Alam of Zwelihle in broad daylight as she left a shop at the Whale Coast Mall on Thursday afternoon. Police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie, said provincial detectives from the Serious and Violent Crime unit are investigating. “Preliminary information suggests that the 59-year-old woman exited the mall and, on her way to her vehicle, was ambushed and gunned down by three unknown armed men. She succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body. The motive for the murder appears to be taxi-related. The assailants fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.” Alam’s husband was murdered less than six months ago in a similar fashion. Hermanus Community…

IN a landmark judgment, the Constitutional Court ruled that dependency must be assessed based on facts at the time of a pension fund member’s death, rather than when distribution decisions are made. Every year, South African retirement funds distribute billions of rands upon the death of their in-service members to persons who were “dependents” of a deceased member. These benefits are distributed in terms of section 37C of the Pension Funds Act. This application related to the equitable allocation and distribution of death benefits held within a pension fund. The Constitutional Court noted that it is particularly important in the context of South Africa’s high incidence of employment precariousness and dependency on a single breadwinner. Pension fund benefits provide much-needed assistance to those left vulnerable in the event…

AS South Africa continues to battle the scourge of unemployment, a new report by the Localisation Support Fund (LSF) has found that fast-growing Chinese online retailers Shein and Temu may have cost the country more than 8 000 potential jobs over the past five years. The report examined the effect of offshore e-commerce retailers on South Africa's clothing, textile, footwear, and leather (R-CTFL) industry. "In 2024, Shein and Temu collectively achieved approximately R7.3 billion in sales, accounting for 3.6% of the total R-CTFL market and 37% of the sector’s e-commerce sales," the report noted. "This rapid growth has come at a notable cost to the local economy. The estimated displacement is estimated to include R960 million in lost local manufacturing sales, 2,818 associated manufacturing jobs that may have materialised, and…

A DIVORCING husband turned to the Western Cape High Court to order that his wife forfeit her share of their assets upon divorce, as he claimed she squandered millions of rand accumulated in assets over the years on gambling. The wife, in turn, said she only gambled for entertainment, and she told the court that she spent small amounts on this pastime. The wife turned to court to obtain a divorce from her husband, a medical doctor, and she asked that their estate be divided equally, as they are married in community of property. The husband, in a counterclaim, asked that because of her gambling, she either forfeited her half or a portion of the joint assets. While the wife alleged abuse by her husband for the break-up of the…

The Bulls were their worst enemies in that opening 10 minutes when they had the Pumas under massive pressure during their Currie Cup defeat at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon. While the first half was a tight affair between the two sides, the visitors dominated the second half for a 41-7 victory, scoring six tries, of which five came after the halftime whistle. Despite the heavy defeat, Bulls head coach Phiwe Nomlomo remains upbeat about their campaign after they started with two strong victories. “We tripped (in this game) a bit; we didn’t fall,” he said about the loss. “It is now up to us to get together and ensure we are better by the next time we train to know what we have to fix. “We were poor, and…

As the Springboks prepare to kick off their Rugby Championship title defence against Australia at Ellis Park this Saturday, head coach Rassie Erasmus finds himself navigating some complex choices that could significantly influence the outcome of the match. Among the most pressing questions is whether to deploy his infamous Bomb Squad — a potent bench packed with impact players capable of turning the tide in the second half. For the Bok guru, there are several positions he would’ve thought long and hard about ahead of naming his team on Tuesday. A Bomb or Nuke squad bench is the first to weigh up. Then, there’s the eighth man position with Jasper Wiese still suspended. Wilco Louw and veteran Vincent Koch are in line for the tighthead jersey; however, youngster Asenathi Ntlabakanye…

Guinea’s National Elephants and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will face off for the first time in the history of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Monday. This match, at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in the bustling city of Kampala, will not only add a new chapter to the tournament’s history but also mark an important moment for both teams as they aim to secure crucial Group C points. South Africa will become the 15th different opponent Guinea has faced in CHAN competition, while this fixture will represent the ninth team South Africa have met in the tournament. It will also be Guinea’s third outing against a COSAFA nation, having previously faced Zambia twice. Bafana Bafana's coach, Molefi Ntseki, acknowledges the challenge presented by Guinea, who are known for their…

THE African Transformation Movement (ATM) has formally lodged a complaint against Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, alleging racist remarks aimed at black South Africans and calling for an urgent investigation and his removal. The complaint, submitted to the Presidency, Parliament, and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests, centres on tweets the ATM said contain “racist slurs” directed at the black community, including the k-word. The tweets, dating back to 2011 during his time as a businessman, resurfaced at the weekend after McKenzie’s party, the Patriotic Alliance, filed criminal charges against Open Chats Podcast hosts Mthokozisi Methula and Sinothando Kama following their racist remarks aimed at the coloured community. In the podcast clip, the hosts make several racist comments, claiming that not only do coloured families…

AN ADDITIONAL charge of kidnapping has been added to the case against the couple accused of raping and murdering 7-year-old Lolitha Kowa. Odwa Jack and Nokuthula Matyeseni appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where the new charge was confirmed. The State also revealed that the pair’s relatives have refused to house them if they are granted bail. The pair was arrested on July 23, a day after Lolitha left her Kuyasa home with Matyeseni’s daughter. She had told her mother she was going to play at the accused’s nearby house. She was found dead 1.5km away from her home, and she had a screwdriver lodged in her head. After the home Jack and Matyeseni shared was set alight, allegedly by community members, the State told the court that…

FORMER President Thabo Mbeki has shed light on the reasons behind his foundation's withdrawal from the National Dialogue, a government-led initiative aimed at bringing South Africans together to discuss the country's biggest problems. According to Mbeki, one of the primary reasons for the withdrawal was the uncertainty surrounding the R700 million earmarked for the National Dialogue. Mbeki's foundation, along with other prominent legacy foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, and FW de Klerk Foundation, withdrew from the National Dialogue Convention scheduled to kick off on Friday. The foundations cited concerns over the rushed timeline, inadequate preparation, and shift towards government control as reasons for their withdrawal. "We feel the organisation of the matter was not entirely honest as to where the funds will be directed,"…

South Africa’s renewable energy sector is entering a new chapter. After years of growth focused on building solar farms and wind projects, the spotlight is shifting, and the new priority is making sure these sites operate efficiently and reliably for the long term. This is where Temporary Employment Services (TES) providers are stepping in. By supplying skilled, reliable labour that can adapt to changing site needs, TES providers are helping energy operators keep performance high, manage costs, and support surrounding communities. From construction to long-term performance In the early days, renewable energy projects were all about construction. Teams were sent into rural areas to build the infrastructure, install panels and get everything up and running. While the construction phase sees the most action, it is once a project has been…

The Proteas were left to rue a crucial dropped catch in their 17-run loss in the opening T20I against Australia at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on Sunday, wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton admitted afterwards. South Africa had been set a target of 179, after skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to field first. The Proteas managed to peg back the hosts after a furious start, and appeared on course to chase down a modest total until some big hitting by Tim David took the game away from them. David smashed eight sixes in a blistering 83 from 52 balls to lift Australia to a competitive total. South Africa could only manage 169 for nine in reply, thanks largely to 71 from Rickelton. Young speedster Kwena Maphaka starred with…

Sharks XV coach JP Pietersen praised the resilience shown by his young Currie Cup team in fronting up to the Free State Cheetahs, despite suffering a third loss on the bounce in the competition on Saturday evening at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, west of Durban. "Obviously we didn't get the result but immensely proud of the team. It's been tow tough weeks. We stood up today against a well-coached Cheetahs team, fronting up on our home ground in showing the performance that we did today," the coach said after the match. The home team lost the closely contested match 7-5, with a missed conversion denying them at least a share of the spoils against their more experienced rivals. "The game was obviously won and lost defensively. You can…

South Africa head coach Swys de Bruin believes an experienced squad, led by the Springbok Women’s most capped player Nolusindiso Booi, can “push them towards the play-offs” of the Rugby World Cup. Booi, capped 52 times, also captained the squad at the previous tournament in New Zealand in 2022 and is one of 19 players in the 32-player squad with previous Women’s Rugby World Cup experience. South Africa, whose modest record contrasts sharply with the men’s team’s four World Cup titles, are in Pool D for the tournament, which will be held in England from August 22 to September 27. They face a stern challenge to progress from the pool stage, with Six Nations runners-up France favourites to top the group. The Bok Women open their campaign against Brazil on…

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says they need to get their Betway Premiership title defence back on track after a disappointing result in their opening game. Sundowns drew 1-1 with Chippa United in the opening match of their league campaign at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday. Despite dropping two points, it was a huge result for Chippa, who will want to build on the momentum throughout the course of the domestic campaign. The same cannot be said for Sundowns. The result stung, as they were clear favourites for the game given their depth, experience, and title aspirations for the season. Cardoso is not crying over spilled milk, though. He has urged his troops to turn their focus to their next league game at Loftus Versfeld against…