Innehållsförteckning för 2025-12-19 från Cape Argus

Mzansi has endured a difficult week, with the nation mourning the loss of some celebrities while others grieve the passing of their loved ones. From the brutal killing of DJ Warras to the passing of former Springboks Women’s captain Lusanda Mduke and the Sama’s leaving netizens unimpressed, it has been a whirlwind week. Let’s explore this week’s celeb buzz: 1Tributes pour in for Warrick “DJ Warras” Stock, murdered at 40 The entertainment industry was left reeling after the tragic news of DJ Warras’s fatal shooting at the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg on Tuesday. Tributes poured in from friends, fans, political figures and media colleagues, who extended profound condolences to Warras’s family. Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed his death, revealing that the motive behind the shooting is still unknown and…

It always starts the same way: a date, a city, a familiar name, and then the realisation that something big is coming back. This time, it’s Africa’s Grandest Gathering, which is returning to Cape Town. On March 27 and 28, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival will once again take over the Cape Town International Convention Centre, launching its 23rd edition with a bold new visual identity and a first-wave line-up that signals confidence, ambition and global reach. Ranked as the fourth largest jazz and music festival in the world, CTIJF 2026 places Cape Town firmly at the centre of the international jazz map. Leading the charge is seven-time Grammy Award winner Jacob Collier, who will headline the Kippies Stage on Friday, March 27. Known for genre-defying compositions and immersive…

ELEVEN Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) accused of murdering an alleged gangster claim that the State is “feeding them to the wolves” after they received threats from inmates in Pollsmoor. The officers, who may not be identified as per court ruling, returned to the Athlone Magistrates’ Court yesterday, which saw the courtroom packed with supporters for the police members and the deceased. They stand accused of kidnapping, torturing and killing alleged Clever Kidz gangster Wade Price from Manenberg on December 4 following an interrogation of a shooting incident that occurred outside the same court the previous day. The State said it was adding a fifth charge of attempting to defeat the administration of justice. The investigating officer in the matter said in his affidavit that the accused knew that Price and…

The SAPS is tracking the firearms of 36 000 deceased Western Cape residents. Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile revealed their efforts to curb illegal firearms during the provincial crime statistics briefing. MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, joined him at Wednesday’s briefing, where they unpacked the problems facing the curbing of illegal firearms in the province. Marais said firearms are still the most frequently used instrument of murder in the Western Cape, and in quarter 1 alone, there were 682 firearm-related murders in the province. “In quarter 1, police detected 821 cases of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, a 13.4% increase, showing more guns have been taken off the streets. In quarter 2, this increased even further to 1 040 detections, a 28.6% increase, significantly…

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Doctor Khumalo has voiced his support for Orlando Pirates midfielder Sipho Mbule, backing him to play a key role for South Africa at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. Bafana Bafana will open their tournament campaign against Angola on Monday at the Stade de Marrakech, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm. Drawn in Group B, South Africa will also face Egypt and Zimbabwe as they look to take an early step towards what would be just the second AFCON title in the nation’s history. The 2023 edition of the tournament, where Hugo Broos and his charges sent a strong message across the continent, has seen expectations rise significantly ahead of this campaign, including belief that the team can go all the way. The Belgian coach has been…

Controversial umpiring at the Ashes persisted even on Day 2 of the ongoing third Test at the Adelaide Oval as Australian pacer Mitchell Starc expressed his frustration and opined that the snicko technology ‘needs to be sacked’. Pat Cummins bowled a sharply directed short ball that climbed awkwardly on Smith, forcing him to hop and fend it defensively. The ball popped up towards first slip, where Usman Khawaja dived forward, prompting a loud Australian appeal for a catch. The on-field umpire referred the decision upstairs amid doubts over bat or glove contact and whether the catch carried. Replays showed the ball had struck Smith’s helmet, not his gloves, despite a Snicko spike. It also bounced before reaching Khawaja’s hands, leading to an eventual not-out verdict. Amid the snicko controversy, Starc,…

Matthew Mole is bringing the party to Cape Town this summer, stopping at some of his favourite spots to celebrate the holidays and ring in the new year. Mole first broke through in 2013 with his debut album The Home We Built, becoming the first South African artist to debut at number one on the iTunes SA chart. Hits like Take Yours, I’ll Take Mine and Running After You quickly turned him into a household name. His follow‑up albums Run and Ghost also debuted at number one locally, with Ghost winning Record of the Year and Best Pop Album at the South African Music Awards. More recently, his fourth album, Wake Up, It’s Morning, continued his evolution with a mix of uplifting and reflective tracks. The Cape Town‑born singer has…

THE family of Alnika Mitchell, 14, were relieved to hear that murder-accused Milosh Basson will remain in custody this festive season as the case against him was postponed to April 9 for further investigation. Alnika was gunned down in front of her house in Lugmag Avenue, Factreton on December 6 while watching learners celebrate their matric farewells. She was hit by a stray bullet and ran inside her yard where she collapsed and died. Alnika’s funeral service was held on Saturday. Basson, 35, made his second appearance at the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court yesterday morning on six charges including murder, four counts of attempted murder and possession of an illegal firearm. After failing to appoint a private attorney during his first appearance, he stood in the dock without a legal…

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga stated that her leadership and actions regarding South African Navy chief Vice-Admiral Monde Lobese’s remarks about the underfunding of the country’s defence capabilities were consistent with her oath of office. Motshekga emphasised that the Department of Defence operates under strict governance and command protocols. “When concerns are raised by any senior officer, including the chief of the SA Navy, the matter must be processed through appropriate command channels,” she said. Motshekga’s remarks follow a parliamentary inquiry from EFF MP Carl Niehaus, who questioned whether her actions towards Lobese were compatible with her oath and the principles of transparency. Lobese, addressing an event last month, expressed alarm over persistent budget cuts affecting the SANDF’s operational readiness. “I often find myself questioning whether those responsible for making significant…

SERIOUS concerns have been raised about the State’s ability to successfully prosecute extortion cases in the Western Cape, after figures revealed that hundreds of arrests have resulted in just a single conviction. According to a parliamentary reply cited by the DA, 331 people were arrested for extortion-related offences in the province from April 1, 2024 and mid-December this year, yet only one conviction has been secured. During the same period, 571 extortion cases remain under investigation. The DA said the figures point to a justice system struggling to dismantle extortion syndicates that continue to terrorise communities, cripple small businesses and disrupt essential services across the province. The concerns are partly reflected in official SAPS crime statistics for the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, which show extortion-linked violence emerging…

As the school year has come to an end, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has revealed that 96 incidents of learner assaults on teachers were reported to Safe Schools between January and November this year – with nearly nine educators being assaulted per month. In June, the Cape Argus reported the harrowing story of a teacher at St Andrews Technical High School in Elsies River where a Grade 12 learner allegedly gun-pointed her in the classroom. The learner pulled the trigger three times, revealing that the gun was an imitation. This week the WCED confirmed that the learner had faced disciplinary action while the teacher is battling to get a transfer. The teacher facilitated her own mental health care with the help of a psychologist and said she continues…

Proteas Women’s wicket-keeper batter Sinalo Jafta reflected fondly on the year the team has had, highlighting the ICC Women’s World Cup final as the standout moment for her and the team as the squad heads into the last fixture of the year this year. What a year the Proteas Women have had. It has been a rollercoaster, having been bowled out for 70 odd in their first game of the World Cup, bringing back all the demons and traumas of South African cricket in ICC events, to going on to reach their first ever ODI World Cup final in Navi Mumbai last month. Both as a team and individuals, there have been standout performances, moments the country will remember for many years to come. Who can forget Tazmin Brits’ five…

New Stormers sensation Dylan Maart is hoping to follow in the boot steps of his good friend Kurt-Lee Arendse to Springbok stardom. The two wings are both 29 and have had to overcome tough starts in life before a gamble on rugby paid off. Arendse worked in a butchery — “pork sausages were my speciality”, — as he put it, while Maart was a taxi guard in his youth and later a warehouse worker at a bottling plant. Arendse’s rugby breakthrough has come much sooner than Maart’s — Arendse has already played 30 Tests since making his debut in 2022— but Maart feels it is better late than never. Since quitting his day job two years ago and becoming a full-time professional at Griquas, the tries have flowed for the…

The ongoing India-South Africa series remains fiercely contested, with two possible outcomes before the final game: South Africa drawing level at 2-2 or India winning it 3-1, and former Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn opined that India have ‘been the better team’ so far in the three games played. The fourth T20I of the series was called off on Wednesday without a ball being bowled due to heavy fog in Lucknow. This delay means the series’ outcome will be decided in the final game, scheduled for today the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Steyn reflected on the hosts’ outings and South Africa’s overall tour of India, praising their performances across formats while also highlighting moments when they narrowly missed opportunities. “I think it’s been a great series, and South Africa…

The Proteas will be looking to end off the India tour on a high with a victory during the fifth and final T20I match against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and level the series 2-2. The Proteas have had a successful tour thus far in India. Coach Shukri Conrad’s side started the tour with a historic Test series victory, winning their first series in whites in India for the first time in 25 years with a 2-0 clean sweep. The side then moved to the One-Day Internationals, where they lost the first match and bounced back strongly in the second, but lost the third and final match, thus losing the series 2-1. In the shortest format, the Proteas currently trail 2-1, with the fourth match having been…

It was a bittersweet moment for 83-year-old Juanita Solomon and her 76-year-old sister who finally received the title deed to the 16 plots of land which spans 6.5 acres, taken away from their parents during the Group Area Act. But with joy, came disappointment after they were issued with property rates amounting to thousands of rand. Solomon’s parents owned the land – 16 plots which spanned 6.5 acres along 11th Avenue and Leytonstone Road in Retreat 80 years ago. Following an investigation by the Cape Argus, City of Cape Town councillor Siseko Mbandezi, mayoral committee member for Finance, said the property rates account would be reversed, saying that land reform beneficiaries legislation states that heirs be exempted 100% from property rates for 10 years. “The City of Cape Town’s Finance…

NEARLY 3 000 litres of alcohol were destroyed at the City of Cape Town’s Ndabeni Pound yesterday. The destruction comes as alcohol consumption in public areas remains one of the most persistent challenges facing enforcement and emergency services, particularly during December, despite repeated warnings and clear regulations prohibiting drinking in public spaces. Figures released by the City show that in just the first 11 days of December, the liquor pound received 1 814 units of confiscated alcohol, amounting to just under 740 litres. City officials expect these numbers to escalate sharply in the coming weeks as beach attendance and public gatherings increase. Mayoral Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, said the volumes being destroyed reflect an annual pattern that places significant strain on City resources. “It’s a clear…

In a devastating echo of the George building collapse, the recent structural failure in Verulam has left South Africa grappling with a troubling pattern of negligence and loss of life. Last Friday’s incident, which resulted in the deaths of five individuals and numerous injuries, has initiated a thorough investigation aimed at uncovering the causes and ensuring accountability. The George building collapse in May 2024 was an even more tragic affair, claiming the lives of 34 people and injuring many others. Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) Minister Dean Macpherson emphasised the urgent need for accountability, saying that as long as the people are not held accountable, there is little incentive to comply. “I hold the view that if people die through negligence, that is criminal, and there should be…

The University of Cape Town’s Professor Lynne Shannon has made history after being awarded the 2025 Prince Albert I Grand Medal for Ocean Science for her lifetime contributions to advancing understanding of the ocean and its ecosystems. The award was presented at a ceremony at the Oceanographic Institute in Paris on December 8 . Shannon, deputy director of UCT’s Marine and Antarctic Research Centre for Innovation and Sustainability (MARIS) and a research professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, is the first South African and the first recipient from the Global South to receive the prestigious ocean science medal. The Prince Albert I Grand Medal recognises lifetime achievement, groundbreaking discovery, or a significant body of work in oceanography. Shannon was honoured for her pioneering research on ocean and marine ecosystem…

SCHOOL teacher, author and pastor Nashville Blaauw is taking young people off from the streets and away from gangsterism and crime to be part of inter-church soccer tournaments. Blaauw, who previously made headlines when one of his poems was used in the matriculation examination at Elsies River, is continuing to inspire the youth. Blaauw, of House of Elijah Prophetic Ministries, who initiated the tournament, said several churches participated, which included: Pentecostal Prayer Ministries, Clarke Estate and Elsies River, New Born Ministries in Connaught Estate and Elsies River, City Faith in Delft and Liberty Pentecostal in Bishop Lavis. Each church had a junior and senior team with more than 100 boys participating recently in Elsies River. “We are aiming to get the young people to become more active, especially those who…

On the eve of Bafana Bafana’s journey to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, head coach Hugo Broos has issued a stark warning about the road ahead. Following a narrow 1-0 victory against a determined Ghana B side at Dobsonville Stadium, which served as their final warm-up match, Broos emphasised the heightened challenges that await his squad. South Africa kicks off its AFCON campaign in Group B, facing Angola in the first match on 22 December. The group also includes African football heavyweights Egypt and regional rivals Zimbabwe, making for a demanding schedule. Despite the optimism stemming from an unbeaten qualifying run and a commendable bronze-medal finish at the previous AFCON, Broos made it clear that complacency must not set in. “The only thing we have to…

Christian Horner’s name is once again circulating around the Formula 1 paddock, with fresh reports suggesting Alpine could emerge as the most realistic pathway for the former Red Bull team principal to make a sensational return to the sport. While nothing has been confirmed, the idea of Horner linking up with the Enstone-based outfit has quickly gathered momentum as F1 looks ahead to a transformative 2026 season. Horner’s exit from Red Bull earlier this year brought an end to one of the most successful team principal tenures in modern F1 history. Across two decades, he oversaw multiple championship cycles and helped turn Red Bull into a benchmark operation. Any return, however, was always expected to come with conditions. Reports indicate Horner is not interested in a simple advisory role but…