Innehållsförteckning för 2026-01-05 från Cape Argus

Brazen gunmen attempting to carry out a robbery on a bread delivery truck, have shot and wounded a 12-year-old girl in Valhalla Park. The tragedy took place on Saturday, on the corner of Matthew and Andrews streets. According to police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, the child was caught in the crossfire when gunmen shot at the delivery vehicle. She was rushed to hospital. Crime activists have condemned the incident. “Bishop Lavis police responded to a complaint of a shooting on Saturday afternoon, January 3 at about 3.20pm, on the corner of Matthew and Andrew streets, Valhalla Park. “Upon arrival on the scene the police were informed that a 12-year-old girl was caught in the crossfire when unknown suspects opened fire on a bread delivery vehicle. “According to reports the victim…

Community organisations, businesses, and local safety structures in Elsies River have launched a smash-and-grab awareness campaign in response to rising concerns over opportunistic crime. The initiative, led by the Inspire Network with sponsorship from Wholesun Bakery, aims to address the increased risk posed by prolonged roadworks and traffic congestion, which organisers warn create ideal conditions for criminals to target distracted motorists. Supported by the Elsies River Safety Initiative and the Cape Crime Crisis Coalition, the campaign aims to educate drivers about risks at identified hotspots and promote practical safety measures. At the launch, ward councillor Beverley Van Reenen urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, patience, and vigilance when navigating areas affected by roadworks or heavy traffic. “We must remain alert to protect ourselves and our vehicles,” she said, highlighting the…

Love in the Eleventh Hour Lizzy Berger, Gillian Melton (translator) Narrated by Kristen Atherton, Stefano Braschi Audible Originals AUDIOBOOKS offer a special kind of immersion, pulling listeners into stories that can evoke laughter, tears, and contemplation. One such audiobook is Love in the Eleventh Hour, where the authors create a tale about embracing life amid chaos. With Kristen Atherton and Stefano Braschi lending their voices, this Audible Original takes listeners on a whirl of emotions. Jana is a successful investment banker whose life appears meticulously planned. However, everything changes when she is diagnosed with a brain tumour that not only threatens her life but also alters her very essence. What follows is a transformational journey that encourages her to step outside her controlled existence and embrace spontaneity, leading her to…

BY THE time you read this, we fervently hope our talented team has secured their place among the top eight, thereby avoiding the dreaded early exit. This continental showdown is not merely a sporting event; it serves as a crucial benchmark of South Africa’s footballing prowess and readiness for next year’s worldwide spectacle, where they will share the stage with Mexico, South Korea, and a fourth team yet to be announced. With a promising roster dotted with skilful players, Bafana Bafana possesses the talent and potential to carve through opposition defences. At the helm of this hopeful campaign is Manager Hugo Broos, who carries a unique history into this crucial match against Cameroon. Having previously coached the Indomitable Lions in 2016 and 2017, Broos’s appointment to lead Bafana Bafana saw…

DANI Olmo and Robert Lewandowski's late strikes helped Barcelona snatch a 2-0 win at Espanyol on Saturday to move seven points clear at the top of La Liga, with coach Hansi Flick left thanking his goalkeeper Joan Garcia. The champions were largely outplayed by their city rivals and Garcia kept them afloat in the derby clash against his former side before substitute Olmo curled home in the 86th minute. Fermin Lopez created Olmo's goal before laying the second on a plate for another replacement, Lewandowski, as Barca claimed a ninth consecutive league victory and ended Espanyol's own run of five wins in a row. "We didn't deserve it, I'll be honest, but in the end the quality we brought on the pitch after the changes decided the game," said Flick.…

LIONS coach Ivan van Rooyen commended his team for the way they dealt with the adversity of losing forward Ruan Venter to a yellow card that was later upgraded to red in the gripping one-point victory against the Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday afternoon. Venter was sin-binned for head contact in a tackle on Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi late in the first half of their United Rugby Championship clash, and the yellow was later upgraded to red. While similar setbacks may have seen the Lions buckle under the pressure previously, they held their nerve at the Shark Tank this time to snatch the 23-22 win after the hooter. “I don’t think it (the head contact) was intentional, I think it was a little bit of timing out. “But I…

MINSTREL troupes are ready to shake, rattle, and roll when they take over Cape Town for the annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar parade today. The annual event, organised by the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA), is expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators. Kaapse Klopse is a traditional Cape Town minstrel festival where groups of performers, called troupes, march, dance, and play music through the streets. It takes place every year around Tweede Nuwe Jaar, or “Second New Year”, on January 2. This year, it takes place on January 5. According to KKKA director Muneeb Gambeno the tradition dates back to started during the colonial era when slaves were allowed one day a year to celebrate the New Year. They used that day to sing, dance, and perform. After the…

THE widow of a murdered police officer is expected to face trial next month. Last month, Mokheseng Nqxulelo, who is alleged to be behind the murder of a sergeant who was stationed at Protection and Security Services (PSS) briefly appeared in the Aliwal North Magistrates’ Court. The matter was remanded in transit to Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court to last month. The new trial date has been set for February 5 for a Regional Court appearance. This was confirmed by Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani of the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks). The State is to prove that Mokheseng Nqxulelo shot and killed her husband in his home in Harare in 2023. Her appearance comes after she was re-arrested in Jamestown, in the Eastern Cape, by members of the Hawks Serious Organised…

The Cape Independence Advocacy Group (CIAG) said it has noted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s statement that he has no intention of holding a referendum to test public opinion on any part of South Africa. “The CIAG welcomes that the discussion around Cape independence has now become so firmly established in South Africa’s political discourse that the president has once again been required to officially comment on it,” Craig said. He made the statement after it was reported last week that Ramaphosa gave the clearest indication not to hold a referendum. “In line with the constitutional responsibility of the president to uphold, defend, and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic and to promote the unity of the nation, I have no intention of considering a proposal or holding…

The SACP has confirmed that it is forging ahead with its intention to participate in the ANC’s January 8 celebrations, even as tensions between the two political allies rise. Scheduled for Saturday at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg, the event marks the anniversary of the ANC’s founding in 1912 and traditionally features messages of support from various alliance partners, including Cosatu and the SACP itself. However, the relationship between these two longstanding allies has been strained by recent political manoeuvres, most notably the SACP’s decision to contest the forthcoming local government elections independently. This move was met with a hardline response from ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, who announced that SACP members would be barred from holding dual membership and participating in ANC election-related platforms. “We have resolved to strengthen…

ORLANDO Pirates midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng says the pressure he has faced in recent times is something he has learned to live with, using it as fuel to maintain high standards in his performances. Mofokeng and his Pirates teammates remain firmly in contention for the Betway Premiership title and look well placed to launch a serious challenge for the crown for a second successive season. A product of the Buccaneers’ youth development system, the 21-year-old has risen swiftly through the ranks and is widely viewed as one of the most exciting prospects in South African football. With competition for places at both club and international level, Mofokeng has not been a guaranteed starter in recent months, a situation compounded by an injury earlier in the campaign. However, the attacking midfielder believes…

AUSTRALIA’S spin bowling coach, Daniel Vettori, has defended the side’s decision to field an all-seam attack in the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) but insisted that spin bowling remains very important in the longer format. With veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon sidelined by a hamstring injury, Australia opted not to select a frontline spinner for the Test match in Sydney, the first time since 1888. It’s also the third time Australia has fielded an all-pace bowling attack in the ongoing series. “It’s probably just a point in time. I don’t think it’s going to be something that’s going to continue for years on end. I think spin bowling is incredibly important to Test match cricket. I think people love watching it when it’s at its absolute best…

IN the aftermath of their shock victory against Tunisia in Morocco on Saturday night, Mali reportedly splashed out 3 million francs on their ‘magic man’ to ensure that fortune swings in their favour in the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Mali seemed doomed when Woyo Coulibaly was shown a red card in the 26th minute, leaving Mali to play with 10 men for most of the match against the higher-ranked Tunisia. After Tunisia took the lead in the 88th minute, Mali’s mystical effort came to the fore seven minutes into stoppage time with a sensational penalty to force the match into extra time. Mali’s conquest was one of the intriguing talking points at AFCON. Herculean drawcards In an extraordinary achievement, Mali has reached the quarter-finals of AFCON 2025…

South Africa has confirmed that all its citizens in Venezuela are safe amid heightened tensions following recent US military action in the country. Clayson Monyela, South Africa’s Head of Public Diplomacy, said the South African Embassy in Caracas remains in direct contact with South African nationals on the ground. Monyela said “all SA nationals in that country (mostly teachers)… about 23 (are) accounted for and safe”. “We’ll continue to monitor the situation, which is currently reported as calm,” he said. The confirmation comes after the US carried out a military operation in Venezuela, escalating tensions in a country already grappling with prolonged political instability, economic hardship and international sanctions. The operation has triggered international concern over its implications for regional stability and the safety of foreign nationals. Pretoria has not…

A long-running dispute between the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association (CTMCA) and the City of Cape Town came into sharp focus on Saturday when members of the association joined a protest march in the city, citing uncertainty over venues and frustration at the City’s decision to appeal a recent High Court ruling. CTMCA manager Yagya Canfield said the protest coincided with Tweede Nuwe Jaar and reflected growing disillusionment among troupes affected by delays and legal battles. “It is one day that we are celebrating but what the City is currently doing is not postponing but appealing against orders that the judges made against them and posing for relief and pushing us back to what we are really standing for,” Canfield said. He explained that the association had originally planned activities…

THREE suspects have been arrested after they were caught red-handed with a stolen vehicle which had a flat tyre, putting an end to their crime spree. Members of the Sandvlei Neighbourhood Watch spotted the trio with a stolen Nissan 1-Tonner in Beach Road in Macassar. The suspects were apparently on their way to carry out another robbery when they were nabbed. According to the Sandvlei NHW, the bakkie had been stolen from a property in Macassar in the early hours of Saturday. “Sandvlei NHW would like to report a successful operation this morning at 1.40am. While on patrol, three suspects were apprehended on Beach Road. They were suspected of stealing a Nissan 1-Tonner bakkie in Link Avenue, Macassar,” said the Neighbourhood Watch. “The suspects were targeting another bakkie on Beach…

The National Treasury has admitted that scholar transport is a national crisis after being taken to task by the Eastern Cape over operators not being paid, leaving learners with no way to get to school. During a recent National Council of Provinces Committee meeting, Joseph Britz, the DA’s permanent delegate to the National Council of Provinces for the Eastern Cape, said that the current transport system was ineffective. Britz argued that he did not believe the National Treasury appreciated the magnitude of the problem in the Eastern Cape. As of the end of 2025, the issue remained unresolved, he said. Operators had not been paid, and children were still unable to get to school because of an ineffective system, Britz said. He said that much more action was required from…

As thousands of matrics across the country anxiously await their 2025 results, the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) has warned that confidence in South Africa’s public education system has been severely shaken by revelations that leaked matric examination papers originated from within the Department of Basic Education (DBE). FF Plus MP and chief spokesperson on education, Dr Wynand Boshoff, said reports implicating DBE officials in leaking – and possibly initiating – the breach risked undermining trust in the integrity of the National Senior Certificate. “The shocking revelation that Department of Education officials are implicated in leaking matric exam papers – and could even have initiated it – erodes confidence in the public education system,” Boshoff said. He warned that interest in independent education was likely to grow in the coming…

This article is written in response to claims that cross-border military force may be justified by domestic criminal indictments or disputed elections. Such arguments, if left unchallenged, risk normalising a dangerous erosion of the United Nations Charter’s authority at a moment when conflicts in Ukraine and rising tensions around Taiwan already place the international system under severe strain. The purpose of this piece is not to defend any government, but to defend the legal framework that protects all states from coercion by the powerful. There is one rule that prevents the world from sliding into permanent instability: states may not use force to settle political disputes. That rule sits at the heart of the UN Charter, drafted after two world wars to stop power, not…

IT took four seasons for a Zimbabwean to make an appearance in Betway SA20, but Sikandar Raza is fast making up for lost time. The Zimbabwe T20 captain followed up his stirring debut on Friday night at Boland Park with a match-winning performance at Newlands last night. The 39-year-old bagged 4/13, and with the assistance of seamers Nqobani Mokoena (2/10) and Ottneil Baartman (2/8), routed MI Cape Town for just 88. This excellent bowling performance after MI Cape Town won the toss and elected to bat for the first time in five matches saw the Royals romp to a bonus-point seven-wicket victory. “It’s nice to win the game and know your contribution in a win feels more special,” Raza said. “I’ve heard great things about this tournament but due to…

ARSENAL fought back from a goal down to beat Bournemouth 3-2 on Saturday, stretching their lead at the top of the Premier League, at least for a day, as Aston Villa extended their winning run at home. A goal from Gabriel Magalhaes and two from the returning Declan Rice sent the Gunners six points clear of second-placed Villa and seven ahead of Manchester City, who were still to play Chelsea at home yesterday. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the character of his team, singling out Rice and Gabriel, whose sloppy pass set up Bournemouth for the opening goal. “I love the character of Gabriel, the way he overcame that situation - it’s just unbelievable, it says a lot about how much we’ve grown,” he told Sky Sports. “The team found…

FORMER world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury announced yesterday he will return to boxing in 2026. Fury has not fought since losing to Oleksandr Usyk in a bout for three of the four major world titles in December 2024. But the 37-year-old British star posted on Instagram yesterday: “2026 is that year. Return of the mac. “Been away for a while but I’m back now, 37 years old and still punching. Nothing better to do than punch men in the face and get paid for it.” Fury also said he was retiring from the sport after beating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, only to return later in the year. Fury’s history of retirement followed by u-turns meant few believed his most recent claim to end a career that had brought 34…