Innehållsförteckning för 2025-09-03 från Cape Argus

A 15-year-old boy arrested and charged with the murder of a Beaufort West police officer together with a 20-year-old man, has been placed in a juvenile detention centre while they await their formal bail application. Siyamthanda Mafata, 20 and his co-accused, the minor made an appearance at the Beaufort West Magistrates’ Court on Monday where they are facing charges of murder. The teenager may not be identified as he is a minor. The matter was postponed for bail information and the bail application after the teenager was placed into custody at a suitable facility for juveniles. The State is set to prove that the duo stabbed Constable Courlin Lakay, 23, while he was off-duty on August 24. Police were called to the scene at an entertainment venue in Gaba Road,…

The Department of Social Development has placed its Chief Director of Communications, Lumka Oliphant, on precautionary suspension with full pay, pending the outcome of an internal investigation into alleged misconduct. In a statement on Monday, Director-General Peter Netshipale said the suspension was necessary to ensure the investigation proceeds without interference. “The precautionary suspension is prompted by the need to investigate without hindrance or interference, given Ms Oliphant’s position in the department,” said Netshipale. While the department has cited consequence management related to Auditor-General findings, the suspension comes shortly after media reports exposed a R3 million trip to New York by Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe. Oliphant was accused by the department of leaking the information to the Sunday Times, an allegation she has strongly denied. “Just because I have worked…

DIESEL customers can look forward to significant savings at the pumps from today, while petrol sees a minor reduction. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has announced the official fuel price adjustments for September. The price of diesel, it stated, will decrease by between 56 cents (500ppm) and 57 cents (50ppm), while both grades of petrol will see reductions of just four cents. This means a litre of 95 Unleaded petrol will cost R20.76 at the coast and R21.55 in Gauteng, while 93 Unleaded will retail for R21.47. The wholesale price of 50ppm diesel is expected to decline to R18.71 at the coast and R19.47 in Gauteng. Illuminating paraffin will see a 37-cent decrease, while LPGas is coming down by R1.32 per kg across most of the country, and…

On September 3, China will hold its 80th World War II Victory Day commemoration. Twenty-six heads of state and government and international dignitaries will grace the occasion to commemorate the sacrifices of the Chinese people in fighting and ending one of the darkest and most devastating moments of world history. While the world has experienced relative stability since the end of WWII, new violent conflicts, undeclared economic wars, pandemics, and global crises have plunged the world into uncharted uncertainty characterised by global geopolitical polarisation. As expressed by President Xi Jinping in the second volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, “War is like a mirror. Looking into it helps us better appreciate the value of peace. “We must learn the lessons of history and dedicate ourselves to peace.” More…

This has been Keshav Maharaj's winter. A World Test Championship medal, backed up with his coronation as South Africa’s Cricketer of the Year, then honoured with the Proteas Test captaincy followed by his ascent to the lofty perch as the No 1-ranked ODI bowler in the world. The first match of the one-day series against England yesterday was simply an extension of the most storied period of Maharaj's career. After picking up his maiden ODI five-for on the recent Australian tour, the crafty left-arm spinner added another brilliant 4/22 in just 5.3 overs here at Headingley in Leeds. Along with Wiaan Mulder’s equally impressive 3/33, England were routed for just 131, with the tourists knocking off the target in a mere 20.5 overs to complete a comprehensive seven-wicket victory. "A…

September is Heritage Month, a time to reflect on the traditions, languages and stories that shape the nation’s identity. While celebrations often highlight music, food, dance and clothing, books remain one of the strongest mediums for exploring heritage. Literature gives readers a deeper understanding of history, struggle and possibility. Books preserve oral traditions, document resistance and imagine futures.They connect generations to the pain of the past and the hope of the present. Classics remind us where we have been, while new works reveal where we are going. Below are books that capture different aspects of South African heritage and deserve attention this month. I Write What I Like by Steve Biko Steve Biko’s collection of essays is central to the philosophy of Black Consciousness. Written in the 1970s, the pieces…

The woman arrested and charged together with her male partner for the murder of a Bloubergstrand car guard which was caught on CCTV footage, has been freed. The man, who may not be identified until the investigation team indicates whether an identity parade will take place, made an appearance at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday where he is facing a charge of murder. The matter was postponed for bail information. According to Table View police station officials, the case against the woman was withdrawn before court proceedings began and she was released. The couple were arrested on Sunday. Detectives used CCTV footage obtained which showed the couple allegedly fleeing the scene in a vehicle. The body of the car guard was found lying between vehicles in Marine Circle, Bloubergstrand…

ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, has launched a scathing attack on the SA Communist Party (SACP), calling its decision to contest the 2026 local government elections outside of the ANC-led alliance a “monumental disaster” and a threat to the unity of the liberation movement. Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the ANC’s visit to the family of the late Dikgang Uhuru Moiloa, Mbalula described the SACP’s resolution to go it alone as not only ideologically flawed, but also politically dangerous. Mbalula warned that it would fracture the historic tripartite alliance between the ANC, SACP, and Cosatu – a bedrock of South Africa’s democratic revolution. “We have reflected at the theoretical level on the implications of this disastrous decision,” Mbalula said. “It is clear to us that there is no ideological…

After a devastating accident, a pedestrian will receive R2.6 million in compensation from the Road Accident Fund for permanent cognitive and behavioural changes. The compensation was awarded for the past and future loss of earnings for the man, who was 28 years old at the time of the September 15, 2019 accident, in which he was hit by a vehicle. At the time the man had secured employment in Stikland, in Parow, where he had held the position of general worker since 2017, having assisted in repairing traffic lights that were out of order and required new globes. Although he was not permanently employed by the company, his position was full-time, and at the time of the accident, he was serving a six-month probation period. This showed the company’s intention…

South Africa’s water infrastructure is facing a crisis due to ageing and poorly maintained systems. The rising demand from a growing population, along with the effects of climate change, has led to serious water shortages and quality problems. In response, the government plans to establish a National Water Resources Infrastructure Agency to oversee national water assets. It is also investing in regional and small-scale water and sanitation projects through the water services infrastructure grant. Experts estimate that over R90 billion annually is needed to repair and upgrade existing infrastructure. Unfortunately, this ongoing crisis impacts daily life. Households, businesses, and vital government facilities such as schools, hospitals, and clinics are affected. For instance, the Malvern Clinic in East Johannesburg is often forced to close early due to water shortages, disrupting health…

English Premier League clubs shattered their transfer spending record this transfer window, with Monday’s deadline day one of the most dramatic in the league’s history. Spending topped £3bn by the time the window shut at 7pm in the UK, according to Sky Sports News, boosted in large part by Liverpool’s record £125m deadline-day fee for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. In fact, it was a transfer window when some of Europe’s top marksmen grabbed a lot of the attention as Premier League clubs flexed their considerable financial muscle. Others, however, will breathe a heavy sigh of relief that the madness is over, with the horse trading leaving a number of clubs decimated and worse off than they were last season. Biggest winners: Liverpool The defending champions were quick out of the…

The notion that the Springbok Women would relax for Sunday’s final Pool D encounter against France at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton, with their place in the World Cup quarter-finals already secured, was dispelled in no uncertain terms by SA flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg. Yesterday, Janse van Rensburg said the emotions of relief, gratitude, pride, and joy after Sunday’s dramatic 29-24 win over Italy in York are still lingering around the team, but there is also a growing desire and determination for more of the same. SA and France qualified for the playoffs with victories over Italy and Brazil at the weekend, and will now fight it out for pool honours. The Bok Women made history with a number of firsts: qualifying for the World Cup quarter-finals; beating Italy; and…

The Theuns Jordaan Tribute Concert in Amsterdam was meant to be an honourable tribute to one of South Africa’s greatest artists. Instead, it has been plagued by drama between the promoter Wynand de Villiers and artists, most notably Kurt Darren. De Villiers recently released a statement, hitting back at a report in Rapport detailing the behind-the-scenes drama that happened in Amsterdam. At the Tribute, the promoter revealed that production costs reached R5.3 million against ticket revenues of R2.8 million. De Villers went on to reveal that Darren demanded and received an exorbitant fee of R92 000 for singing only a handful of songs. “While sacrifices were made at every level, Kurt Darren chose to place money above meaning for his friend. We were left with no choice but to pay…

Provincial police together with the Community Policing Forum (CPF) have praised the detective and state prosecutor for their work done in securing a 27-year sentence for a man who murdered an 18-year-old girl five years ago. Provincial Police Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, praised the efforts of Sergeant Bradley Schuurman of the Anti-Gang Unit and the prosecution team who all contributed to the hefty sentence handed down to Matthew Yu, who was convicted and sentenced for the murder of Ruwayda Van Der Rheede. Sentencing proceedings took place at the Mitchell’s Plain Regional Court and Yu received 27 years behind bars. He was found not guilty for one of the six charges he was facing. The State proved that Yu pulled the trigger on…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured court approval to introduce new evidence allegedly exposing how former Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, his family, and associates benefited from Digital Vibes, in a scandal involving R150 million. The Special Tribunal granted the SIU permission to introduce the evidence in its case. The new affidavit, described by the SIU as “crucial”, is expected to bolster the case by detailing how public funds were allegedly laundered through sham business transactions, with at least R11.5 million disguised as cattle purchases. Investigators say the money ultimately benefited Mkhize’s wife, son, and business affiliates. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the new evidence exposes money laundering without services provided. “We wanted to introduce crucial evidence that shows certain respondents received money without rendering any service … If…

Consumers are set to absorb the severe reverberations from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa) staggering R54 billion error. This costly oversight means that electricity tariffs, which were initially set to rise by 5.4% in 2026 and 6.2% in 2027, will instead spike by 8.8% over the next two financial periods to compensate for the Nersa blunder. The new tariffs, expected to take effect in the 2026/27 financial year and into the next term (2027/28), are three times higher than the anticipated consumer inflation rate. Charles Hlebela, Nersa’s spokesperson, confirmed the tariff hike decision in a statement released last week, which prompted immediate backlash from energy experts, political parties, and others. Nersa had identified errors in its earlier price determination. The revised tariff hike follows an out-of-court settlement…

On August 15, Pretoria became the stage for the National Youth Dialogue, a gathering of young leaders from across South Africa, convened for a pivotal conversation with President Cyril Ramaphosa. The dialogue sought to confront the country’s pressing realities, youth unemployment, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), and inequality. Among those in attendance was Nkeletseng Tsetsane, a Young Urban Women (YUW) Mamelodi Community Facilitator, accompanied by adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) from her programme. For her, the invitation was more than symbolic. It was, in her words, “a level of trust in how I can relay the concerns of those who sent me. I will not sit with the information but return and report back.” This moment marked both historic recognition and a strategic opportunity, a chance…