Innehållsförteckning för 2026-01-21 från Cape Argus

In response to mass shootings linked to gang violence and extortion, civil rights organisations and political parties are calling for a Provincial State of Disaster. This comes as Parliament signs off on Premier Alan Winde’s R2.6 million annual package. Just last week, as schools reopened, the Cape Crime Crisis Coalition (C4) renewed its call for a state of disaster after local government MEC Anton Bredell announced that he planned to ask the Cabinet to declare ongoing fires and water challenges a natural disaster. The police’s Serious and Violent Crime Unit was called to two crime scenes yesterday, where six lives were claimed and two others left wounded. Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile said despite 38 000 firearms being confiscated in the past five years, shootings continued. Police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut…

An off-duty police officer, who had been discharged from hospital a few days earlier after being ill for nearly three months, was shot and killed at his home in Browns Farm. Crime activists have expressed shock at the murder of the Sergeant who was stationed at the Rapid Rail Unit. It is alleged that shortly after 8pm on Monday, in Ubuntu Street, Browns Farm, Philippi, the police officer was at home and had walked to an outside toilet in the backyard of the property when he was confronted by gunmen. The two men ran into the toilet and fired several shots at him. The suspects then fled in a vehicle that was apparently parked around the corner. It is understood that no items were removed from the scene. The officer…

CAPE Town had nearly R12 billion in the bank at the end of November last year, putting the metro in a strong financial position midway through the 2025/26 financial year. According to the City of Cape Town’s Financial Monitoring Report for November 2025, cash and cash equivalents stood at about R11.8bn in the bank at month-end. The report was tabled to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and the mayoral committee for noting yesterday. The report is compiled every month in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act. It tracks how the City is performing against its budget and flags areas where corrective action may be needed. One of the key measures in the report, seen by the Cape Argus, is the cost coverage ratio, which shows how long the City can keep…

In a significant move, the Western Cape Parliament approved Premier Alan Winde’s remuneration package during a vote yesterday, granting him a salary and allowances totalling up to R2.6 million per year. The approval gives effect to a presidential proclamation published in the Government Gazette on Friday, in which President Cyril Ramaphosa set the upper limits for the salaries and allowances of premiers, members of executive councils and provincial legislatures for the 2025/26 financial year. For premiers, the determination places the maximum total remuneration package at R2 635 562 a year, with effect from April 1. The adjustment for members of provincial legislatures reflects a 3.8% increase, while the same goes for MPs including Ramaphosa. The remuneration package is made up of several components. Sixty percent of the total amount is…

THE Western Cape has achieved the highest retention rate in the country, meaning more learners are staying in school and completing matric. According to the data shared by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), the retention rate from Grade 10 in 2023 stood at 94 234 learners, and 70.0% of them wrote their NSC exams in 2025. The national retention number was 62.8%, meaning more than 60% of Grade 10 learners from the class of 2023 wrote their matric exams last year. Bronagh Hammond, Director of Communications for the WCED, explained that several factors could lead to a learner leaving the school system. “The Western Cape Education Department cannot provide credible analysis for the dropout rate as some learners ‘drop out’ of the system due to pregnancy,” she said. “Societal…

On January 14, a few hours before the historic meeting in Washington between representatives from Greenland and Denmark and their US counterparts, JD Vance and Marco Rubio, Denmark and several of its NATO allies reinforced their military presence in Greenland and announced that further reinforcements would follow. Some interpreted this move as pressure on the Trump administration before the meeting. But anyone familiar with NATO-Denmark politics would recognise that appeasement with the empire is the more likely explanation. At the Washington meeting, the US reiterated its firm demand for “having Greenland”: “It is clear that the president wants to conquer Greenland,” declared the Danish foreign minister after the meeting. The parties agreed to establish a “high-level working group” in an effort to contain the crisis. However, the crisis persists, and…

Proteas coach Shuki Conrad must be counting the days when Betway SA20 reaches its conclusion with his team facing an injury crisis ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup. Conrad has only been able to look on as two key members of his 15-player World Cup squad suffered injuries over the past few days that could potentially rule them out. Paarl Royals captain David Miller did not come out to bat in his team’s defeat to Joburg Super Kings at Boland Park on Monday evening after injuring his groin whilst fielding. Royals coach Trevor Penney does not believe Miller’s condition to be too serious, although the exact prognosis will only be revealed after the experienced batter has undergone an examination. “We're not sure if he tweaked his groin or if…

Keshav Maharaj returns to Kingsmead in a different shade of blue for the Betway SA20 Season 4 Qualifier 1 against Sunrisers Eastern Cape on Wednesday, but his vast knowledge of the conditions will certainly play a significant role for the Pretoria Capitals. Maharaj is a son of the Durban soil and knows Kingsmead better than anyone. From the way the surface will behave when the tide comes from the east coast to the dryness of the soil. It was certainly evident during the group stage match against his former team, Durban’s Super Giants, when Maharaj delivered an economical spell, conceding just 22 runs in his four overs, in a high-scoring game. “I’ve played first-class cricket here for the last 20 years. I understand the conditions,” he said. “Things have changed,…

KNYSNA is trying to hold on to every last drop of water as its main dam continues to drop. The Garden Route’s glitzy seaside jewel relies heavily on the Akkerkloof Dam, its primary water source, which now has only enough water left to last the town for eight to nine days. In a detailed breakdown released yesterday, the municipality said figures from Monday showed just how tight the situation has become. The town took in about 12.3 million litres of water in a day, while just over 9 million litres were used. “Stats for Tuesday will only be available on Wednesday,” said municipal spokesperson Nwabisa Pondoyi. Level 4 water restrictions remain firmly in place across the municipality, with residents and visitors urged to use water only for essential needs. The…

A shortage of operational police vehicles, weaknesses in crime intelligence and mounting pressure on front-line officers are undermining the fight against violent crime in Kraaifontein. This was revealed during an oversight visit by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde at the area’s police station. Winde said residents were frustrated by persistently high crime levels, warning that resource constraints and infrastructure challenges at the Kraaifontein SAPS precinct were directly affecting police response times, morale and service delivery. “The residents of Kraaifontein are understandably concerned and frustrated by the impact of violent crime on their daily lives. Through these oversight visits, I want to engage directly with priority SAPS precinct leadership to ensure that everything is being done to tackle crime head-on,” said Premier. “These engagements are about taking the concerns of residents…

The DA and a local ward councillor have exchanged sharp accusations following a protest linked to school infrastructure concerns in Witzenberg, after the DA alleged that political incitement endangered learners and heightened tensions between communities. DA constituency head for Witzenberg Wendy Kaizer-Philander condemned what the party described as the “irresponsible and dangerous” conduct of an ANC public representative, alleging that members of the Nduli community were deliberately incited to protest on Friday while learners were travelling to school using scholar transport. The DA said the incident resulted in heightened tensions and a scuffle involving members of the Nduli and Vredebes communities, warning that political opportunism should never place children’s safety or access to education at risk. The party linked the incident to ongoing disputes around school infrastructure development in the…

Residents living near two abandoned semi-detached houses in Brooklyn say they are fed up with the “criminal elements” living there. The City of Cape Town properties, situated in Justin Street, are allegedly being unlawfully occupied, with residents claiming they have become a hotspot for crime – including drug use, prostitution and cable theft. A body was once found on the premises. One resident, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, said that families have been living in constant fear. He said repeated complaints have been lodged with the police, law enforcement and the ward councillor over the years, but nothing has been done. He said: “There’s prostitution, drugs and copper being stolen and burned inside and outside the houses. It’s happening day and night and it’s completely out of…

TWO of Cape Town’s most influential cultural figures, David Kramer and the late Taliep Petersen, were awarded the Freedom of the City during a Special Council sitting at City Hall yesterday. The Freedom of the City is Cape Town’s highest civic honour and was bestowed by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on behalf of the City of Cape Town. Kramer accepted the honour in person, while Petersen’s posthumous award was received by his daughters, Jawaahier, Fatiema and Aeesha Petersen. The ceremony featured a musical and video tribute celebrating the pair’s enduring creative partnership and their contribution to South African theatre and music. Highlights included their groundbreaking collaborations on productions such as District Six: The Musical and Kat and the Kings, works that captured the rhythms, language and lived experiences of Cape Town’s…

The wildfires burning across parts of the Western Cape this past week are not an exception. They are sadly a predictable outcome of how fire risk is managed – or neglected – in many instances in South Africa. While heat, wind and low humidity create dangerous conditions, they do not determine the scale of destruction on their own. The increasing incidence of deliberate ignitions and arson further heightens exposure, exacerbating the consequences of inadequate land management. What ultimately shapes fire behaviour is longer-term land-use practice: invasive alien vegetation left uncleared, fuel loads allowed to accumulate, and firebreaks that exist in planning documents but not in practice. This season’s wildfires have already burned more than 100 000 hectares across the Western Cape, forcing evacuations and stretching fire services across multiple districts.…

Saturday’s coastal derby in Cape Town won’t be sold as a personal duel, but the battle at the breakdown could play a decisive role when the Stormers take on the Sharks at the DHL Stadium. With Springbok captain Siya Kolisi set to return to face the Stormers and in-form young fetcher Paul de Villiers continuing his impressive rise, that contest around the ruck is bound to draw attention. The 23-year-old loose forward of the Cape side is adamant that making it about individuals would be missing the point, especially with the hosts focused on maintaining their unbeaten run in the United Rugby Championship (URC). Facing the Sharks is an exciting prospect though and he looks forward to the battle against a star-studded visiting team. De Villiers have been named Player…

Mohamed Salah made his much-anticipated return to Liverpool training yesterday following the Africa Cup of Nations as the club prepare to face Marseille in the Champions League. A smiling Salah was put through his paces during a workout with the rest of the squad at the club's training centre on the eve of the match in France. The return of the Egypt forward has been a major talking point after he took aim at Liverpool in an explosive interview early last month. Salah accused the club of throwing him "under the bus" after he was benched for three games in a row and said he had no relationship with manager Arne Slot. But he appeared as a substitute in a 2-0 Premier League win against Brighton on December 13, providing…

THE former Harvester Primary School teacher charged with sexual grooming and exposing a minor to explicit material has had her case moved to the Regional Court at the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court division. The 35-year-old woman, who cannot be identified, made a brief appearance in court yesterday, where she heard that her case was transferred to the Regional Court and would be heard on January 28. Vanessa le Roux, founder of Parents for Equal Education (Peesa), who has been supporting the victim’s family, said while she was relieved that it was moving to trial, more people needed to be held accountable. “We are happy that the wheels of justice are turning for our boy child too; however, we are not happy that she is standing alone in the dock," she…

The parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee hearing faced challenges as former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride declined to reveal his current employment status This happened as McBride came under criticism for making gestures to MPs when giving testimony at the inquiry probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Testifying before the Ad Hoc Committee, McBride initially did not disclose his current employment although he confirmed working in the intelligence services. “I am not allowed to say what my employment is,” he said. McBride also told evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse that the CV he was using to lead the evidence was outdated. This prompted ActionSA MP Dereleen James to raise her concern that they were told the CV was outdated. “That means we have a falsified…

THE City of Cape Town will take over the maintenance and day-to-day operation of traffic lights on key national roads after councillors approved a new agreement with the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral). The City has been authorised to maintain, operate, and, where necessary, build traffic signals on sections of the N1, N2, and R300 that fall under Sanral’s control within the metro. According to a report to the council yesterday, the move is aimed at ensuring smoother traffic flow and quicker repairs. “While Sanral has a mature road construction and maintenance capability, it does not possess the staff, facilities or contractual mechanisms to provide immediate and continuous traffic signal maintenance and operational management, leading to a proposal for the City of Cape Town to perform those functions on…

The first month of 2026 has already been marked by significant global developments. We considered focusing this editorial on the actions of the US president, whose policies continue to impact human rights and international stability through threats of invasion or intervention. We could also have opted to comment on the “New World Order” as described by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney following his strategic trade agreements with Chinese President Xi Jinping – a move many hail as a shift away from economic reliance on Washington. However, a tragedy closer to home on Monday demands our immediate attention and condemnation. Young lives were lost in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, while being transported to school. Authorities have since confirmed that the number of deceased learners stands at 12. The scene was unbearable, leaving parents…

When Joburg Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis was ruled out due to injury, they lost not only one of their premier run-scorers but also a wealth of experience. This was particularly poignant due to JSK having a host of young and inexperienced batters in their line-up in Season 4. There was therefore only one call they could possibly make to help fill the void. Some would suggest that he should have been there from the outset. So, with Delhi Capitals eliminated from the ILT20 where he was active the last month, coach Stephen Fleming sent Leus du Plooy the SOS and in a moment the left-hander was back at the Wanderers. Du Plooy is, of course, no stranger to the Bullring, having spent the first three seasons with JSK…

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has responded strongly to growing speculation linking him with an exit from Chloorkop, suggesting the rumours are driven by external forces intent on destabilising the club. In recent weeks, reports have surfaced claiming the Portuguese coach could be dismissed to make way for a sensational return by former Sundowns boss Pitso Mosimane. The speculation has intensified after Masandawana failed to defend both the MTN8 and Carling Knockout trophies earlier this season. Despite those setbacks, Cardoso’s side remain firmly in the hunt for the two biggest honours on offer. Sundowns are still competing in the CAF Champions League and, following Monday’s 2–0 Betway Premiership victory over Orbit College, climbed to the summit of the league table. Speaking after that win — which marked the return…