Indholdsfortegnelse for 2026-04-01 i Cape Argus

Handel’s Messiah This Easter, music enthusiasts in Cape Town are in for a divine treat as the city’s renowned Philharmonia Choir revives its cherished tradition of performing Handel’s Messiah. Taking place on Good Friday and Easter Sunday this oratorio is a celebration of sacred music that continues to resonate with audiences over two centuries after its debut. Composed by the illustrious George Frideric Handel in 1741, Handel’s Messiah is a masterful blend of organ, orchestral accompaniment, solo voices, and choir, weaving the profound narrative of Jesus’s birth, sacrifice, and resurrection. The piece is known for its emotive power and grandeur, intricately detailing the story in a way that engages both the spirit and the senses. Under the skilled baton of iconic conductor Richard Cock, the Philharmonia Choir promises to deliver…

Fuel supply pressures are beginning to affect daily life in Cape Town, with the City of Cape Town confirming temporary restrictions at waste drop-off facilities due to contractor fuel constraints. The development comes as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a R3 cut to the fuel levy, effective today, to mitigate the socio-economic impact of rising fuel prices on motorists. The levy cut follows official fuel price adjustments that came into effect at midnight, with petrol increasing by R3.06 per litre and diesel rising by more than R7 per litre, among the steepest hikes on record. The increases follow a surge in global oil prices and a weaker rand, which have pushed up the cost of fuel imports. The price hike triggered a rush among motorists and businesses to fill up…

THE community of Delft appears to be a hotspot for taxi-related murders after another triple shooting on Monday evening left one man dead and two others wounded. The men were standing at the office of a taxi association in Main Road in Delft when they were gunned down. A 36-year-old man was declared dead at the scene. Two others, aged 30 and 64, were wounded. Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that a murder and two attempted murder cases are under investigation. He said the shooting took place at about 6.40pm. “The suspects fled and have yet to be arrested. The motive for the attack is believed to be taxi-relate,” he said. This incident comes after a 44-year-old taxi driver associated with the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association…

A vehicle examiner has been sentenced for issuing roadworthy certificates in the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court. Vehicle testing station official, Kgomotso Masindi, 45, was convicted on charges of fraud and corruption. The Western Cape spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani, said Masindi was convicted for fraudulently issuing roadworthy certificates to vehicles that were never tested. The court sentenced Masindi to five years’ imprisonment or a fine of R10 000, of which half was suspended for five years. “The official was found guilty on two charges of fraud and corruption related to transactions conducted at the Jeffreys Bay testing station in the Eastern Cape between 2016 and 2018,” Hani said. Another suspect was implicated in the matter; however, the charges against the suspect were…

Western Cape traffic authorities have arrested 51 motorists for driving under the influence in a week-long crackdown ahead of the busy Easter travel period. Provincial traffic services have stopped more than 31 000 vehicles and made 63 arrests for serious offences, including reckless and negligent driving and possession of fraudulent documentation. More than half of road deaths recorded earlier this year were pedestrians, according to provincial figures, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing officials as traffic volumes increase over the Easter period. Among the incidents recorded last week, a minibus taxi driver was arrested after allegedly striking a pedestrian on the N2 near Nekkies in Knysna on Friday afternoon. The driver reportedly fled the scene but was intercepted minutes later. Public transport violations also raised concern. In Grabouw, a…

The Border Management Authority (BMA) said it has intensified border line management and is implementing its anti-fraud and corruption campaign this Easter weekend. Briefing the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee on planned operations to be conducted over the weekend, BMA’s assistant commissioner Belene Mkhabela said the planning phase started on February 5. He stated that the focus is on inter-agency co-ordination, risk assessment, intelligence analysis, resource mobilisation, and finalisation of readiness plans. He said they were now at the execution phase, which started on Monday and will run until April 9. “During this phase, resources will be enhanced, personnel redeployed, and post-operation assessments initiated to capture lessons learnt and operational insights,” he said. Mkhabela noted that the Easter operation was marked by increased movements of goods and persons, mainly for religious…

The US-Israel war against Iran has been called a war that should never have happened or a war of choice. As the war escalates, Beijing has repeatedly called on the protagonists to halt military operations, warning that continued conflict could trigger a “vicious cycle” of instability across the Middle East and damage global economic growth. But is there another path outside diplomacy to stop this unpopular war? Three weeks into the war, the protagonists have become inextricably sucked into violent escalation without any clear off-ramps, raising the spectre of nuclear war or post-war regional and global nuclear proliferation beyond limit. The war has rattled global markets and regional peace and stability and is directly affecting international energy, finance, trade, and shipping, all shared interests of all countries in the world.…

Erasmus eyes replacement for injured RG Snyman The Springboks management learned last month that RG Snyman had injured his knee playing for Leinster against Glasgow Warriors, but the severity of the injury has likely caught them by surprise. For the third time in his career, Snyman has suffered a season-ending ACL rupture, which carries a six-to-nine-month rehabilitation period. This means he will play no rugby for the Boks in 2026 – a significant setback ahead of the “Greatest Rivalry” series against the All Blacks, and a devastating blow to the 31-year-old, who might have hoped his ill luck had finally run its course. Snyman’s first two ACL ruptures occurred in his left knee (2020 and 2021), while this latest blow in March affected his right. The rugby gods have frowned…

A large-scale security deployment will begin on the Cape Flats today, with the SANDF set to support the SAPS in intensified crime prevention operations amid ongoing concerns over violent crime in the area. The deployment follows a joint operational parade held at 35 Squadron in Belhar yesterday, where SAPS, SANDF and City of Cape Town officials confirmed their readiness under Operation Prosper. The intervention comes as communities on the Cape Flats continue to face gang-related shootings, extortion and turf conflicts. These challenges have added to pressure on policing resources and prompted renewed calls for stronger national intervention, particularly in identified high-risk areas and priority policing zones. Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili said the parade marked a key milestone ahead of deployment. “The purpose of this gathering is to…

The City of Cape Town is likely to widen its crackdown on illegal outdoor advertising after securing a Western Cape High Court victory over a non-compliant billboard along the N2, in a ruling that strengthens enforcement efforts against operators who breach approved conditions. The court declared that an outdoor advertising structure erected by Jinja2 Outdoor Advertising was in contravention of approvals granted by the City in terms of its Outdoor Advertising By-law of 2023, as well as the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act. The judgment, handed down on Friday, March 27, found that the billboard did not comply with the conditions under which it had been authorised, placing it outside the bounds of lawful use. The Western Cape High Court ordered Jinja2 Outdoor Advertising to comply with the…

As South Africa prepares for the 2026 local government elections, nearly half of the population feels that none of the political parties match their needs and values. The new Ipsos Khayabus “Pulse of the People” study reveals that 47% of South Africans believe no political party represents their views, despite over 500 parties registered with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). The study also shows that 61% of eligible voters are looking forward to voting, even though only 38% believe their municipalities are performing well. “South Africans are caught between disillusionment and determination,” said Mari Harris, political analyst at Ipsos. “Nearly half feel no party represents them, yet the majority still want to exercise their democratic right. This tension will define the upcoming local government elections.” Despite the record…

Fifa President Gianni Infantino revealed yesterday that Iran “will be at the World Cup” and will play their group matches in the US as scheduled, despite the Middle East war. “Iran will be at the World Cup,” Infantino said, at half-time of Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica in Türkiye. “That’s why we’re here. We’re delighted because they’re a very, very strong team. I’m very happy. “I’ve seen the team, I’ve spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine,” added Infantino, whose attendance at yesterday’s game was unannounced. He went on to stress that Iran’s “matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw”. The World Cup, being hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, starts on June 11. Iran are set to…

Proteas Women’s ‘new breed’ transforms SA cricket Proteas Women’s stalwart Sune Luus has been there, done that and just fell short in a couple of World Cup finals. In the early hours of this morning she added to her illustrious record after taking the field for Proteas Women’s in the second One Day International New Zealand in another milestone match. The veteran all-rounder became only the second South African woman to reach the milestone of 150 caps for South Africa, a testament to her longevity and importance to the national side since making her debut as a 16-year-old in 2012. But, for all her experience, Luus has rarely encountered the type of confidence and free spirit with which the new breed of Proteas Women’s youngsters are playing the game with,…

The Sharks travelled to Ireland yesterday evening with Eben Etzebeth safely on board for his comeback match against Connacht on Friday night (9pm kick-off), but it appears that fellow Springboks – Siya Kolisi, Grant Williams, Andre Esterhuizen, and Bongi Mbonambi – have stayed in Durban. In fact, it is a Sharks squad likely to be bereft of key players for the Challenge Cup Round of 16 fixture. Also at home nursing injuries are the Hendrikse brothers, Jaden and Jordan. The latter is the first-choice flyhalf and his brother the first-choice scrumhalf when Williams is not available, which is often, and will be permanent at the end of the season when Williams moves to Japan. With Williams and Jaden indisposed, Bradley Williams and Ross Braude will be the 9s on duty…

As Easter edges closer, Cape Town’s roadside economy slips into a familiar rhythm, part theatre, part tradition, and part hopeful sales pitch. Bakkies line busy roads, fish are held up like trophies, and motorists slow down just enough to wonder if this might be the snoek that seals their Good Friday menu. Because in Cape Town, Easter is not just about eating pickled fish. It is about the chase. This year, though, the hunt comes with a twist. Behind the confident displays lies a quieter reality, snoek is becoming harder to come by. Research by Stellenbosch University geneticist Dr Sihle Mthethwa points to mounting pressure on the species. “There is also evidence of a recent genetic bottleneck, meaning genetic diversity and numbers have declined in recent generations,” explained Mthethwa. In…

Police in the Western Cape are seeking the public’s assistance after a human skeleton was found in Lavender Hill. Police have managed to draw up a composite sketch of how the person looked. The provincial police spokesperson, Thembakazi Mpendukana, said the remains were found on August 13, last year. “Steenberg police received a complaint about skeleton remains that were found at 14th Avenue Rondevlei, Lavender Hill, at around 3pm. According to reports, children were playing with a ball and kicking it over a school fence. It was when they went to fetch it that they found a human skeleton, and the police were immediately alerted,” Mpendukana said. Once police arrived on the scene, they found the skeleton of what they believe is a man. “When they arrived at the…

Construction work on the MyCiTi Skybridge bus project in Hanover Park was briefly halted after frustrated residents protested over employment concerns. On Monday, a group of unemployed residents, led by the Hanover Park Civic Organisation and other community structures, gathered at the construction site, accusing the contractor of overlooking local job seekers in favour of workers from outside the area. The protest escalated, forcing contractors to stop work for several hours. According to the City, operations were disrupted for about two hours. The City’s mayoral committee member for urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, said work had stopped for two hours along Hanover Park Avenue, but the City can confirm that “the issues have been resolved and that work at the site has since resumed”. Godfrey Joseph, chairperson of the Hanover Park…

More than 28 000 Grade 7 learners in the Western Cape have yet to apply for Grade 8 placements for 2027, with just two weeks remaining before the deadline. The warning was issued by Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier, who said applications for 28 003 current Grade 7 learners have not yet been submitted. The on-time admissions window closes on Tuesday, April 14. He urged parents not to delay, warning that late applications reduce the chances of securing placement at preferred schools. So far, 125 063 applications have been received for Grades R, 1 and 8 for the 2027 school year. The warning comes amid ongoing pressure on the province’s admissions system, with late applications in previous years contributing to delays in placing some learners. Maynier said the department…

In South African politics today, accountability is no longer experienced primarily as an outcome. Increasingly, it is encountered as a process. Commissions are announced. Oaths are taken. Thick reports are promised. Yet while the formal machinery of inquiry unfolds in hearing rooms and legal transcripts, the decisive contest often shifts elsewhere, into the realm of narrative, timing, and political survival. The institutions remain in place. But their authority is frequently tested by a parallel system that operates alongside them, one shaped by perception, factional alignment, and the ability to control public meaning. This is what can be described as “governance theatre”. It is within this broader context that the unfolding controversy involving suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu must be understood not as a concluded case but as a live illustration…

The Stormers have kept the composition of their squad for this week’s Champions Cup trip to Toulon under wraps, but one confirmed traveller is Hacjivah Dayimani, who has only recently returned to South Africa following a two-year stint in France. Dayimani addressed a media conference yesterday and seems set for a more prominent role on Saturday, after primarily being used as an impact player by coach John Dobson since his return. The loose forward, a product of Jeppe High School for Boys, began his career at the Lions before moving to the Stormers. In 2024, he joined the Parisian club Racing 92. He admits he learned a great deal in the Top 14, but when he found himself regarded primarily as a winger, he decided it was time to come…

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has said his charges will need to produce something special in the Champions Cup to beat the red-hot Glasgow Warriors on their home turf this Saturday – so why not throw caution to the wind with his selections? The Warriors are one of the finest attacking sides in Europe. They boast a beefy pack that provides quality ball, brilliant backsand an astute, attack-minded coach in Franco Smith. To beat the Warriors, who sit atop the United Rugby Championship with four rounds remaining, you simply have to outscore them. The Bulls’ pack is arguably a touch stronger than their Glaswegian counterparts, and on the fast 4G pitch at Scotstoun, the men from Pretoria have the backline to rack up the points. To that end, this is Ackermann’s…

There is a quiet indignity in being a football fan from a country that failed to qualify for the Fifa World Cup. It hits you hardest when you are actually there, standing in a stadium halfway across the globe, surrounded by fans from 32 other nations. At Qatar 2022, I found myself walking into the posh Lusail Stadium wearing a Brazil shirt for their match against Serbia. Without South Africa in the mix, I was a nomad, searching for a second team to borrow some passion from, trying to convince myself that a Selecao goal mattered to me as much as a Bafana Bafana strike. I specifically chose the shirt because of Tottenham striker Richarlison, who ended up scoring a cracking bicycle-kick goal to win the match. Outside the stadium,…