Innehållsförteckning för 2025-11-12 från Cape Argus

FIVE women were murdered in 96 hours in Cape Town, mainly as a result of gunfire. According to Gun Free SA, the latest femicide study shows that guns are now the leading weapon used to kill women, and the proportion of women shot and killed has reached the highest rate ever recorded in South Africa. It said between 2016 and 2023, applications for new gun licences rose 58% – adding 162 000 licensed guns to homes. One of the most horrific incidents was the shooting of two sisters, Gouwah Smith-Newman and Zainab Jacobs, allegedly at the hands of their own brother, Ederies Smith, outside of Portland Primary School in Mitchells Plain on November 6, over an apparent custody dispute. Smith, together with his co-accused Nazmie Lekay, believed to be the…

The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) has rejected calls by activist group Women For Change (WFC) to have gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) declared a national disaster, arguing that such classification does not align with the Disaster Management Act (DMA). This is ahead of the national shutdown by the organisation on Friday, November 21, ahead of the G20 summit. The group’s campaign has gone viral with thousands of social media users turning their profile pictures purple in support. In a letter released by the group, NDMC head Dr Ellias Sithole said that while the Centre recognises the severity of the crisis, GBVF cannot logically or lawfully be considered a disaster under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act and therefore cannot be categorised or declared as such. Sithole was responding…

Members of Parliament have not been shy to share their thoughts on the testimony of the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi, saying that her responses have been inadequate. Batohi was testifying in front of Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Member of the committee Xola Nqola, who is also the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, said that her responses were inadequate when it came to answering on the role of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption’s (Idac) arrest of Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo. “I’m not quite convinced with how it has been treated, both the performance of the NPA within the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), where the NDPP reveals…

FOUR Western Cape wine estates have been recognised on the World’s 50 Best Vineyards list for 2025, showcasing the region’s excellence in wine tourism The Western Cape Government has congratulated the province’s tourism and wine industry leaders on their exceptional achievements at recent international platforms, including the 2025 World Travel Awards and the World’s 50 Best Vineyards list. These accolades not only bring global recognition but also solidify the Western Cape’s reputation as a world-class destination committed to responsible tourism and wine excellence. The Township & Village (T&V) initiative in Stellenbosch has been awarded Silver in the Peace, Understanding & Inclusion category. Launched in 2018 with the support of the Stellenbosch Municipality. T&V has welcomed over 2 500 visitors and empowered more than 40 local tourism providers, including guides, artisans,…

TEN-year-old Jivana Bisetty has made history as the first visually-impaired pupil to reach the Top 10 in the South African Mathematics Challenge (SAMC). Despite her visual impairment, the Crawford International La Lucia pupil’s extraordinary numerical abilities and determination have earned her national recognition, proving that passion and perseverance can overcome obstacles. When Jivana tackles a maths problem, she does not just see numbers – she feels them, understands their rhythm, and turns them into patterns of possibility. Jivana is the first blind pupil ever to reach the Top 10 in the competition’s history. Yet, behind this extraordinary feat lies a young girl’s unbreakable love for learning. “My love for mathematics has inspired me to try harder examples. I make mistakes along the way but I continue to learn from these…

Although access to higher education has improved, sub-Saharan Africa still has the lowest enrollment rate globally, with only 9-10% compared to the global average of over 40%. Even though we’ve come a long way, we still lag behind. Women make up 60% of the youth who are not enrolled in school, working, or receiving training. Men are much more likely to own a well-established, growth-oriented company, even though women’s involvement in early-stage and informal entrepreneurship throughout SSA now equals or even surpasses that of men. Young women face significant additional barriers when attempting to access education or enter the labour market. Between 8 million and 11 million African youth will enter the labour market every year in the coming decades. Yet, only about 3 million new formal wage jobs are…

For Damian Willemse, this weekend’s Test against Italy is about more than just another stop on the Springboks’ November tour. It’s an opportunity to play at one of world football’s most storied venues. The Boks face the Azzurri at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, an unusual but enticing stage for Test rugby. For Willemse, an unapologetic Arsenal fan, the novelty of the setting adds an extra spark to the build-up, especially after missing out on the chance to play at England’s iconic Wembley Stadium earlier on tour against Japan. “Yeah, I'm a big football fan. I'm an Arsenal supporter,” Willemse said with some glee. “I think it's going to be an incredible atmosphere playing at the Juventus stadium. I've never been there, so it's going to be my first time.…

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula confirmed yesterday that the party has granted suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu special leave from his party activities. This decision follows earlier denials from the ANC regarding Mchunu’s request, as the party had previously stated he would remain in his organisational role despite facing a corruption investigation and his willingness to step aside. Mchunu, who serves on the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC), has already appeared before Parliament’s ad hoc committee but has yet to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa. He has been at the centre of allegations of corruption and political interference within the SAPS, particularly over his directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PTTT). “The National Working Committee has recommended…

A SIX-YEAR-OLD child was found with an adult male under suspicious circumstances at Strand Beach on Saturday who has yet to be apprehended. This prompted the City of Cape Town to warn parents to stay alert as the festive season approaches. According to Strand Patrol chairperson KC Gericke, neighbourhood watch members responded to a report of a missing child who was last seen swimming. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) was called in to assist in the search. “During the search, the child was found with an adult male under highly concerning circumstances,” said Gericke. “When confronted, the suspect ran off into nearby bushes. Despite an extensive two-hour search, he was not found.” Gericke added the child and their mother are receiving support following the incident. NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon…

Current infrastructure at Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) in the Western Cape – which accommodate more than 600 vulnerable youth – should be reconsidered and should move away from correctional-style infrastructure and adopt a more child-centred design. The change in approach to infrastructure could offer therapeutic benefit and reflect a foundational ethos of care, healing, and rehabilitation, which will support the psychosocial well-being and reintegration of children into society. This comes as part of the recommendations made by the Western Cape Commissioner for Children (WCCC), which conducted monitoring visits to all nine CYCCs in the province between July and August 2024, following a baseline study in 2023 on alternative care. The Department of Social Development currently manages seven of the secure care facilities in the Western Cape, which ensure…

SCIENTISTS at Stellenbosch University (SU) have discovered a groundbreaking way to tell time in the fossil record, by dating fossilised dinosaur eggshells. Until now, determining the precise age of fossil sites has been a challenge. Researchers often relied on dating surrounding minerals or volcanic layers. But when these are missing, fossils themselves remained stubbornly elusive to precise dating. Dr Ryan Tucker and his team at SU’s Department of Earth Sciences have changed that. Using advanced uranium–lead (U–Pb) dating and elemental mapping, they measured trace amounts of uranium and lead inside the calcite of dinosaur eggshells. These isotopes act as a natural clock, revealing exactly when the eggs were buried. Tests on eggs from Utah, US, and the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, showed the eggshells can record ages with remarkable accuracy, within…

A mother seeking to return to Cape Town from the Netherlands will be able to conduct her divorce proceedings in the Western Cape High Court, following the court’s approval of her application. The couple relocated to the Netherlands earlier this year in an attempt to salvage their marriage. However, after their relationship deteriorated, the wife initiated divorce proceedings in mid-April, under the arrangement of living abroad for a trial period. Having gone on a number of international vacations with the wife’s family, the court heard that after a family holiday in Mauritius, one of the issues that bedevilled the couple’s relationship was a letter written by the husband to the wife’s extended family. The wife described the content of those letters as “vile”, “vicious”, and “hideous”. The divorce proceedings are…

The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and smart technologies is transforming the way we work. Rather than replacing people, however, these advances are redefining what human value looks like in the workplace. Routine and repetitive tasks are giving way to roles that demand creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Work itself is becoming more flexible and connected, as digital tools enable collaboration across borders and industries. For people to thrive in this new world of work, education systems and businesses must evolve. Early exposure to technology, continuous learning, and focused upskilling will be essential to ensure that today’s youth and tomorrow’s workforce are equipped to succeed in a digital economy, where human imagination remains our greatest advantage. From routine to real value Automation is taking over many repetitive, physical,…

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday said next year's World Cup would be his last as he winds down one of the all-time great careers. The 40-year-old forward, with more than 950 club and international goals, also said he would retire from football in “one or two years”. “Definitely, yes," he told a Saudi forum, via video link, when asked if 2026 would be his final World Cup. "I'm gonna be 41-years old and I think it will be the moment.” Ronaldo, who began a lucrative stint at Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in 2023, also elaborated on comments last week when he said he would retire "soon". “Let's be honest, when I mean soon, it's probably one or two years I'll still be at the game," he said. The five-time…

There are victories, and then there are proofs. Saturday night in Paris, after Lood de Jager’s red card left the Springboks with 14 men and a mountain to climb, the world champions delivered the latter. This wasn’t a statement win; it was a cultural exposé, a reminder that modern Springbok rugby runs on something deeper than systems, big bodies, flair or a dominant pack. It runs on mentality. A red card is the ultimate stress test for any international team in rugby. It strips away comfort and exposes the real stuff underneath: clarity, composure, discipline, unity. When De Jager walked off, the Springboks didn’t stagger. They recalibrated. The first sign of their ethos arrived at half-time, when Siya Kolisi, during the occasion of his 100th Test in the green and…

THE Western Cape High Court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment, 37 years and three months direct imprisonment after the State successfully prosecuted him for the brutal murder of his ex-wife after ending their relationship. Rodney Witbooi of George, was convicted on charges of attempted rape, two counts of illegal possession of drugs, housebreaking, attempted murder and murder. Senior State Advocate Evadne Kortje led 13 witnesses who testified that on January 25, 2020, a victim and her friends visited the Purple Turtle Nightclub in Pacaltsdorp, George. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) the victim remained behind as her friends made their way into the club. Witbooi approached her and initiated a conversation. Shortly thereafter, he choked and dragged her to a darker part of the parking area where…

Two brothers accused of assassinating award-winning rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and his close friend Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane made their first appearance in the Durban Magistrates’ Court yesterday following their extradition from eSwatini. Siyabonga and Malusi Ndimande appeared before magistrate Irfaan Khalil, with senior state prosecutor Lawrence Gcaba leading the State’s case. The brothers were represented by attorney Sibusiso Dlamini and advocate Cyril Mlotshwa. “This is the accused’s first appearance in a South African court after their extradition from the Kingdom of eSwatini on a request for a provisional arrest from the authorities in South Africa. There was a request for them to be indicted on three separate matters,” Gcaba said. KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi was present in court and told reporters that police were investigating the financial…

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has slammed Treasury and the Reserve Bank’s reported plan to lower the inflation target to 3% and has called for a mass mobilisation outside Parliament today. Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana is set to address the inflation target during his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) today in Parliament. The country’s current headline inflation rate is 3.4%, while the South African Reserve Bank’s official target range remains 3%–6%, with a midpoint of 4.5%. This comes after reports indicated the government was considering lowering the inflation target to curb rising prices. Saftu said the move would hurt workers, increase unemployment, and worsen economic inequality “The Reserve Bank continues to insist that lowering the target is ‘pro-poor’. But this is the logic of a surgeon…

The Bo-Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association (BKCRA) is demanding urgent regulation of Airbnb in historic Bo-Kaap. They say unchecked commercialisation threatens the community’s residential stability, cultural heritage, and identity. Last week, they distributed a statement to residents in community forum groups and raised it with ward 77 councillor, Francine Higham, during a monthly meeting. Association chairperson Sheikh Dawood Terblanche said that over the months, several discussions were held about all issues in Bo-Kaap, including how tourism was currently impacting the community. There are more than 50 properties in Bo-kaap on the Airbnb platform, depending on the type of accommodation. “The distinctive, close-knit, inter-generational community life is under severe threat from gentrification and tourism pressure,” the statement read. The association said that the residential area has shifted to being a commercial…

The implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) system which was meant to commence on December 1, has been postponed to next year. The transport ministry said Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and deputy minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa have taken a decision to defer the implementation of the system to July 1. According to the statement released on Monday, the postponement comes after an assessment was done by the department of the state of readiness of the municipalities that were to form part of the first implementation phase. The system was set to go live in 69 municipalities on December 1 in the initial plan with other municipalities set to follow later. The ministry said issues were identified during the assessment, including: The finalisation of training of both law…

Some employers in South Africa have a concerning tendency to deduct employees’ pension contributions without transferring the funds to the pension fund account. This is against the law and unethical. When the sun sets, workers depend on this hard-earned money to get by. A few years ago, the ANC came under fire for failing to make contributions to workers’ pension funds. The sheer scale of this problem is deeply troubling. As of March 31, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority reported that over 15 500 employers were in contravention of the Pension Funds Act, with total arrears estimated at about R7.29 billion. ​Another ongoing concern involves calls for the Gauteng Health Department to sanction Mafoko Security Patrols. According to reports, this hospital security company has not paid the provident funds that…

If there was any tiny doubt about how difficult it is to win in India, then a quick glance at the Proteas’ record over the past nine Tests here on the bustling subcontinent serves as a cold reminder. Seven defeats, a single victory and one match abandoned due to an unseasonal Bengaluru monsoon since 2010. “It's probably one of the toughest tours, if not the toughest tour in the Proteas calendar,” experienced spinner Keshav Maharaj admitted on Tuesday. There is something different about this upcoming two-match series, which starts at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Friday. Unlike the last visit here in 2019, when the team was in disarray after a wretched World Cup campaign, held together by a part-time management staff, and the entire game in a complete flux back…

As the Betway Premiership campaign approaches its halfway mark, the lower half of the table has already produced a few surprises. With fixtures coming thick and fast, the battle to avoid slipping into an early relegation fight will resume in full force once league action returns after the international break. Although there’s still time for struggling teams to recover, history shows that most relegated sides often realise too late just how costly a poor start can be — something these teams must avoid at all costs. Here’s a look at the five clubs currently hovering near the bottom, all with an urgent need to find solutions to stay afloat. Marumo Gallants | 12th Alexandre Lafitte’s side have experienced an inconsistent start to the season and currently sit just four points…