Innehållsförteckning för 2025-10-16 från Cape Argus

The countdown has begun for reality TV fans as the highly anticipated trailer for The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa is here, and it promises an exhilarating mix of catfights, laughter and opulence. Forget the notion of a tranquil holiday, this girls’ trip is anything but serene! In the explosive trailer, viewers catch a glimpse of the fabulous housewives from Durban and Johannesburg, Jojo Robinson, Annie Mthembu, Nqobile “Angel” Ndlela, Madam Evodia and Christall Kay as they touch down in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the ultimate girls trip. They are joined by fan-favourites Zena Nyambu and Dr Catherine Masitsa (The Real Housewives of Nairobi), Princess Jecoco (The Real Housewives of Abuja) and Mariam Adeyemi Timmer (The Real Housewives of Lagos). The ladies are staying at the luxurious Villa…

AS the police launched the festive season safety plan, top management revealed that the Western Cape remains one of the country’s most violent provinces. It is home to 138 gangs, with over 4 000 firearms linked to deceased owners potentially being used to commit crime and ongoing taxi violence. Yesterday, a day after a triple murder rocked Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, the officers put on display, demonstrating their operational readiness. They also showed off their new gadgets, a drone and a helicopter, and 88 vehicles for hotspot areas. Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili said the Western Cape is one of four provinces being monitored daily by national management due to its persistently high levels of violent crime. “Daily, we get reports of violent crime in the Western Cape. But…

Political parties have not held back in their criticism of both President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis after they got into a verbal clash over service delivery within the City of Cape Town (CoCT). It was during a question-and-answer session in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in Parliament, on Tuesday, when the president criticised the City, saying that despite its good performance in measures of financial governance, the City has not reduced inequality. “The City of Cape Town shares many of the challenges faced by other metros, including rapid urbanisation and population shifts, which increase pressure on services such as housing, water and sanitation,” he said. Ramaphosa said that the legacy of apartheid spatial planning placed many townships and informal settlements far from economic hubs and service centres.…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has insisted that the US-backed agreement to end the war in Gaza will not affect South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). “We welcome the peace deal that has been struck, but it will have no bearing on the case that is before the International Court of Justice,” he said. Under the terms of the agreement, a ceasefire came into effect on October 10. Nevertheless, Ramaphosa emphasised that Pretoria’s legal action will press on. “The case is proceeding, and it now has to go to the stage where Israel has to respond to our pleadings that have been filed in the court, and they have to do so by January of next year,” said Ramaphosa. South Africa launched the case in…

A Claremont resident was left in shock after her dog was attacked by two dogs escaping an open gate. The incident happened over a month ago, though the Claremont resident, who prefers not to be named, said she would like to raise awareness among dog walkers in the area to be vigilant when walking their dogs. The resident said she was taking her dog out for his daily walk on a leash in Garfield Road, Claremont, when two dogs ran out of an open gate of a property and attacked her dog. “Those two dogs attacked my dog, and while I was trying to move my dog away, I fell on the ground,” she said. Her dog has sustained injuries including broken skin and grazing, while she hurt her knee…

Hugo Broos will walk away from Bafana Bafana after the 2026 Fifa World Cup, leaving behind a team reborn – confident, disciplined, and competitive on the continent once again. But as his farewell draws near, the burning question emerges: should his successor be South African or European? It’s a debate that could divide opinion across the football fraternity, from the corridors of Safa House to the voices of fans in the stands. On one hand, Broos’ reign has proved that a strong, independent-minded European coach can restore structure and belief. His methods were unconventional – even unpopular at times – but his stubborn faith in his process delivered results. A World Cup qualification, an AFCON bronze, and a renewed sense of national pride are not minor achievements. A European successor…

“BUNCH OF LOSERS!” These were the headlines that greeted Bafana Bafana, with the comments coming from none other than the then Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, after the team’s 3-1 defeat to Nigeria in the 2014 African Nations Championship. Mbalula also claimed Bafana were “useless”, made reference to their “mediocrity”, and stated that "we indeed have a crisis of monumental proportions”. Contrast this to the jubilant celebration scenes, led by current Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie screaming into the cameras “Siyaya e-America” on Tuesday evening at Nelspruit’s Mbombela Stadium after Bafana qualified for next year’s Fifa World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. For Bafana to have come this far is staggering. It’s pinch me, wake up, everybody’s dreaming territory. Qualification for a first Fifa World Cup since 2002 was achieved…

Alleged baby snatcher, Sameemah Jacobs dropped a bombshell during her appearance at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when she indicated she would be making an application to amend her bail conditions in order to be part of a religious excursion. The State is set to prove that Jacobs kidnapped Imaad Sharmar from his mother, Imaan Sharmar at Middestad Mall in Bellville in June under the pretence that she was a volunteer for a non-profit organisation. Jacobs appeared confident and chirpy in the dock dressed in a pardah and Islamic top. The infant’s family has since called for the application to be opposed. The state prosecutor, Salaahudeen Simon, informed the court that Jacobs’ legal aid practitioner was not present due to a car accident. Simon said in hindsight that they were…

A 52-year-old Eastern Cape teacher has been arrested for alleged human trafficking and prostitution involving young women recruited from the former Transkei region. Provincial Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, said investigations which started in September 2023 revealed that the teacher who works at a school in East London, has been recruiting young women from Qumbu, Mthatha, and Ngqeleni. “The victims were allegedly transported from different areas to East London, where they were ostensibly housed at the suspect’s residence and coerced into prostitution,” said Mhlakuvana. Mhlakuvana added that preliminary findings revealed that the victims were engaged in sexual activities with various clients, from whom they reportedly received payments. “The suspect supposedly profited from these illegal activities by charging accommodation fees ranging between R250 and R300 per night, depending on the…

The Garden Route Dam storage level currently stands at 61.88%, reflecting a steady decline due to limited rainfall in recent months. Only 4mm of rain was recorded between October 7 and 13, highlighting the need for all residents and businesses in George to conserve water and strictly adhere to existing water restrictions. George Municipality said in response, it has established a Water Management Task Team to strengthen the city’s Water-Saving Programme, focusing on drought response, infrastructure planning, and public awareness. The team includes representatives from Civil Engineering Services, Community Safety and Mobility, Planning and Development, Communication, Community Services, Technical Engineering Services, Finance, and Corporate Services. At a recent meeting, the task team reviewed the current water situation and key actions, including enforcing water restrictions, promoting responsible use, and ensuring municipal…

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has taken a significant step toward addressing the crisis in student accommodation by signing a landmark development agreement with Kovacs, culminating a decade-long collaboration. Employing a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) financing model, the partnership has transformed the Kovacs precinct into a residential hub, which currently provides 1 100 safe, modern, and accessible accommodation spaces. This latest phase of development will see 896 new beds added, increasing the total capacity to nearly 2 000 beds. Located within walking distance of lecture halls and campus facilities, the new development will incorporate shared living units, green spaces, and improved access infrastructure. Manie Regal, UWC’s Executive Director: Finance and Services, said at the signing ceremony, “This agreement is more than bricks and mortar – it’s about dignity,…

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus must make a bold decision over the next couple of weeks about where his captain, Siya Kolisi, will celebrate his 100th Test for the national team. The double World Cup-winning captain currently has 98 Tests for his country, and with five matches scheduled for November in Europe, Kolisi is likely to reach that milestone within the next month. As a leader who has come to embody the best of South African rugby, the milestone must mean more than just aceremony, though, it should reflect his journey and his legacy. That is why Kolisi’s century must be at the Stade de France in Paris, in the second Test against France, tipped to be the showpiece fixture of the tour. The Boks open their northern campaign against…

Australian rugby league players who join the rebel R360 competition will be banned for 10 years, the sport's governing body said yesterday, branding the breakaway project “counterfeit”. The R360, co-founded by former England Rugby World Cup winner Mike Tindall, has backing from private investors, but it remains shrouded in secrecy. Reports say it would involve six to eight men's teams and four women's, targeting big-name players globally from rugby union and rugby league to join the competition's franchises which will be located in major world cities. Earlier this month, the rugby unions of eight of the sport's major countries said anyone who defects would be ineligible for national team selection. The Australian Rugby League Commission has taken a similarly hard-line stance. “Unfortunately, there will always be organisations that seek to…

Charles Leclerc heads into the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) this weekend carrying both hope and frustration. As the defending winner at Austin, he knows exactly what it takes to dominate here. In fact, Austin 2024 was the last time Ferrari had a perfect weekend, with former teammate Carlos Sainz driving home the P2 last year. Yet, this 2025 season has been anything but consistent, leaving fans and Ferrari alike wondering if he can turn speed into results once again. With the championship now out of reach, the focus is clear: a podium, or better, a strong finish to end the year on a high. The Monegasque started the season with flashes of brilliance, from qualifying dominance to early podiums, but those highs were offset by reliability issues, strategy missteps,…

THE Department of Home Affairs has reported a major turnaround in its national performance, producing 3.6 million identity documents in the 2024/25 financial year, nearly 1 million more than the previous year but this was not the reality when a local branch was visited this week. Despite the departments’ record-breaking achievements in visa turnaround times and smart ID production, many South Africans say their day-to-day experience at local branches tells a different story. According to the report, critical skills visas processed on time jumped from 52% to 89%, business visas from 61% to 97%, and general work visas from 10% to 98%. But the situation at the Home Affairs Cape Town branch Tuesday morning painted a different picture. Long queues, malfunctioning booking systems, and uncomfortable waiting conditions continue to define…

The University of the Free State (UFS) has suspended all academic activities across its three campuses and ordered students at its Qwaqwa campus to vacate the premises within 24 hours, following a week of student protests linked to changes in the university’s financial support system. The university confirmed that the decision to close the Qwaqwa campus “with immediate effect” came after violent incidents on Monday evening, when a group of students caused extensive property damage, engaged in acts of vandalism and arson, and left several security officers injured. “Three of the injured security officers remain hospitalised,” said UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader. The Executive Management Committee said it is “deeply concerned about the situation on the Qwaqwa Campus” and is assessing the damage. UFS Protection Services are continuing to monitor the…

Public servants whose credentials are found to be suspect are set to face criminal charges as the government cracks down on the scourge of ghost employees across national and provincial departments and components. The government is embarking on a comprehensive physical verification of personnel to identify and eliminate potential ghost employees and safeguard the integrity of its human resources and payroll management systems. According to the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), the presence on the payroll system of individuals not actively employed by departments constitutes a serious risk to public resources and places undue pressure on the national fiscus and the broader economy. The department explained that it was critical to maintain accurate and credible data and personnel records under sound governance principles and the applicable legal and…

The Government Printing Works’ (GPW’s) head office was issued with prohibition notices due to unsafe working conditions and it is unclear if the printing of matric exam papers would be affected. The Department of Employment and Labour issued the notices on a building on Bosman Street in Tshwane which includes facilities for printing national senior certificate examination question papers, visas, birth certificates, Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (Aarto) notices and government gazettes, among other key state documents, in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). According to the prohibition notices, poor ventilation and the presence of chemicals in the litho area threaten or is likely to threaten the health and safety of employees. The prohibition will be in place until an indoor air quality report conducted…

Operations at the Hanover Park municipal rent offices were suspended on Tuesday, following a tense standoff between residents and City officials. A group of protesters, opposed to ongoing evictions in the area, gathered to demand that the City of Cape Town halt what they described as unjust removals of vulnerable individuals. Residents, led by the South African Civic National Organisation (Sanco), blocked entrances to the office while chanting and singing, effectively preventing people from accessing municipal services. The situation quickly escalated, forcing municipal workers to shut down services for the day. The protest was triggered by the eviction of 75-year-old June Philander, a sickly elderly woman, which residents claim was both unlawful and inhumane. Protesters referred to the evictions as “illegal apartheid eviction laws”, expressing deep frustration over the treatment…

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Fifa chief Gianni Infantino would support moving 2026 World Cup games from US cities for security reasons if necessary. In September, Trump raised the possibility of moving games amid his crackdown on Democratic-run cities, but at the time Fifa said that it was up to football's governing body to decide where games are held. “If somebody is doing a bad job and if I feel there's unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni, the head of FIFA, who's phenomenal, and I would say, let's move it to another location. And he would do that,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if games could be moved from Boston, one of the host cities. “Very easily he would do it.” Trump's comments…

Hugo Broos will walk away from Bafana Bafana after the 2026 Fifa World Cup, ending a tenure that has restored belief, pride, and purpose in South African football. The 73-year-old Belgian mentor confirmed his decision after guiding Bafana to a 3-0 win over Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night – a result that, combined with Nigeria’s 4-0 win over Benin in Uyo, sealed South Africa’s passage to next year’s global showpiece. Broos’ men topped Group C after a gruelling qualification campaign, finishing a point ahead of Nigeria and Benin. The Super Eagles’ emphatic victory may have earned them an unlikely play-off lifeline, but it was Bafana who emerged as the group’s dominant force – resilient, organised, and consistent from start to finish. And for Broos, qualification marks both a…