Indice dei contenuti per 2026-04-22 in Cape Argus

April 23 marks World Book Day, a global celebration led by Unesco to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright. At its core is a simple goal: to ensure that every child and young person has access to a book of their own. The day also invites readers to reflect on stories that shape identity, memory and belonging. In South Africa, literature has long served as a record of struggle, change and everyday life. From memoir to fiction, certain books stand out for how they capture the country’s past and present. 1 One such work is Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane. First published in 1986, the memoir traces Mathabane’s childhood in Alexandra township during apartheid. It presents a direct account of systemic racism and its effects…

POLITICAL parties are positioning themselves ahead of the 2026 local government elections, with Cape Town’s race drawing early focus as the DA announced its latest group of 11 mayoral candidates in the Western Cape. It has yet to name its pick for the metro, however. The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has already named its Cape Town mayoral pick, while the ANC is still finalising its selection process. The National Coloured Congress (NCC) has confirmed its nominee, ActionSA has yet to make a formal announcement despite active campaigning, and the GOOD Party is still preparing its election approach. The PA has named Cheslyn Steenberg as its Cape Town mayoral candidate, with party leader Gayton McKenzie describing him as a future leader who rose through the party’s ranks after winning a by-election in…

THE National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Electronic Case Management System (ECMS) has shed light on the challenges facing the prosecution of illegal firearm possession cases in South Africa, revealing that only a small fraction of the cases enrolled in the district and regional courts over the past two years have resulted in convictions. The data, disclosed by Justice and Constitutional Development minister Mmamoloko Kubayi in response to a parliamentary question from the DA’s Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, shows that out of 10 315 new cases enrolled, 6 569 were withdrawn after enrolment. The request sought data on cases received by the NPA from SAPS, enrolled for prosecution, withdrawn post-enrolment, discharged under section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, and successfully prosecuted. She also wanted to know the reasons for withdrawing each specified…

A SHARP decline in soybean and maize prices is delivering mixed fortunes across South Africa’s agricultural sector, easing feed costs for poultry producers while tightening margins for grain farmers. According to the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz), soybean spot prices have dropped by around 12% compared to a year ago, while white maize prices have plunged by as much as 39% year-on-year. Yellow maize prices are also under pressure, down roughly 28% over the same period. Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo said the price decline comes amid a period of strong agricultural activity. “In the northern regions of our country, farmers are beginning to harvest soybeans and other summer grains and oilseeds,” he said. Since the start of the current marketing season in March, farmers have delivered over 245 000 tons…

PINELANDS residents have voiced concerns following a liquor licence application submitted by a new Checkers store under construction in the suburb. The store, developed by Shoprite Checkers Pty Ltd, is situated on the corner of Bowlers Way and Howard Drive, and is expected to be completed by the end of November. The company confirmed they had applied last month, noting that such applications form part of its standard business operations where permitted by law. “Each application is subject to a formal regulatory process, which enables the authorities to assess it on its merits, taking into account local regulations and any public input received,” the company said in a statement. It added that all comments and objections are considered in line with legislative requirements before a final decision is made. According…

When “conflict of interest” becomes ambiguous, governance becomes vulnerable to loopholes. This text argues that clarity in ethical language is essential to prevent accountability failures. There are moments in public proceedings when a question is not simply a question. The chairperson’s interrogation on the conflict of interest was a pivotal moment. It tested whether ethical language in governance still holds substance or has become merely performance. This distinction is central to the main argument: when ethical terms become hollow, governance loses its ability to safeguard accountability. Do you understand what a conflict of interest is? That question should be easy. That is precisely where the concern begins. Suspended Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi’s response arrived wrapped in the confidence of familiarity. The definition was correct. The vocabulary was intact. Yet something…

The selection headache facing coach John Dobson this week ahead of the Stormers' crunch United Rugby Championship clash with the Glasgow Warriors is where to utilise Springbok star Damian Willemse. As the Cape side prepares to host the Scottish giants in a top-of-the-table clash, the question reverberating around Cape Town is whether it is time to shift the versatile back to the No 15 jersey or closer to the action at inside centre. Willemse has played on the wing over the last few matches because of his aerial ability and the amount of contestable kicks being put up in this year’s URC competition. If he moves to fullback, it will potentially be at the expense of the mercurial, yet increasingly erratic, Warrick Gelant. Gelant’s ability to conjure magic from nothing…

The final whistle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday should have triggered a debate about tactics and the volatility of a Premier League relegation scrap, after Spurs’ 2-2 draw against Brighton left them in the bottom three. Instead, it served as another grim indictment of sport in the digital age. Austrian centre-back Kevin Danso, who has been a rare shining light in a difficult season for the North London club, found himself at the centre of a storm that had nothing to do with football and everything to do with the unchecked toxicity of social media. For a player at the elite level, the smartphone is a double-edged sword. It is the primary tool for brand building and fan engagement, yet in the wake of a mistake, in this…

Nearly 1.9 million people in Cape Town, more than 40% of the population, are exposed to high or very high levels of air pollution, with the highest risk concentrated in poorer communities, a new study has found. Hotspots include Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Philippi and Crossroads, with risk extending across parts of the Cape Flats, Mitchells Plain and industrial areas near the airport and Cape Farms. Lower risk levels were identified in the central city and coastal suburbs along Table Bay. The research, led by Dr Meryl Jagarnath from the University of Cape Town, found that areas classified as high to very high risk are largely located in informal settlements and historically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Published in the journal GeoHealth, the study provides a map of air pollution risk across the Cape Town…

Western Cape police have confirmed they are investigating a burglary at the home of alleged Sexy Boys gang leader, Jerome “Donkie” Booysen. The home invasion took place just after 11am yesterday. At the time of the incident, the domestic worker on the premises was at home and was ambushed by the unknown suspects. The woman was tied up. The provincial police spokesperson, Captain Frederick van Wyk, confirmed the incident. Van Wyk said: “Bellville South police registered a house robbery case following an incident on Tuesday, at 11.05am at a premises in Glenhaven, Bellville South. “According to reports, the female worker in the house was tied up. No injuries reported. The attackers were unidentified males.” Van Wyk added: “The homeowner was not present at the house at the time of the…

THE Western Cape said its efforts to intensify vaccination resulted in a month without any new cases of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the province. Premier Alan Winde and Agriculture MEC Ivan Meyer yesterday welcomed the signs of stabilisation in the outbreak. “The most recent case of FMD was identified on March 22, in Prospect Hill in the City of Cape Town. “Since then, no new confirmed cases have been detected, marking one month without a new case in the province,” Winde said. Meyer highlighted that vaccination remains the cornerstone of the province’s disease control strategy. “Foot and Mouth Disease presents a serious and ongoing threat to our livestock industry, food security, and rural livelihoods. Vaccination remains the cornerstone of the Western Cape’s disease control strategy, as clearly…

RESIDENTS of Sunridge,Table View, say they have spent years engaging with the City through the Sunridge Action Group (SAG) in an effort to secure enforcement of municipal by-laws at Erf 38599 in Eagle Crescent. They say the land, earmarked for development, has in the meantime become an eyesore and safety concern for families. Resident, Des Palm, said the community’s concern is not about development itself, but about accountability and enforcement. He said the site, part of a land restitution-linked process supported by the City, raised early concerns about higher-density development. “From the outset, proposals for high-density development raised serious concerns,” he said, citing environmental sensitivity, traffic impact and pressure on infrastructure. Palm said enforcement has been inconsistent. He pointed to a previous case where an unauthorised container was erected on…

FORMER employees of the once-thriving Fun Frills clothing factory, established in 1971 and closed in 2001, reconnected as they reflected on three decades of memories, friendships, and careers shaped on the factory floor, at a former colleague’s house in Grassy Park. Organisers Noleen Eksteen Manuel, Unity Wepenaar, Berenice Smith, and Geraldine Spoghter initiated the reunion that took place at the weekend. The venue was initially set for Wynberg Park, but due to the rain, Manuel offered her home in Grassy Park. From humble beginnings in Diep River to becoming a supplier to national retailers, the clothing company played a significant role in the local industry and left a lasting impact on the lives of those who worked there. Sylvia Adonis said she began her journey in the clothing industry at…

As South Africa intensifies its focus on new HIV prevention strategies, including the rollout of long-acting, six-monthly prevention options, public and policy attention has once again turned to what the next phase of the response could look like. Against this backdrop of renewed national momentum, the launch in late January of a new South African-led HIV vaccine trial, BRILLIANT 011, in Cape Town is not simply another research milestone. This development has genuine scientific and societal significance. It is important, however, to interpret this moment appropriately. This is not the announcement of a licensed vaccine, nor does it mean that the challenge of HIV prevention has been solved. Rather, it marks an important step in a long and complex scientific process. In that sense, it should inspire cautious optimism: optimism…

With nearly a decade of service to the Lions in his repertoire, one of the teams’ most underrated servants will reach a major milestone if selected to play against Connacht this weekend. PJ Botha does not receive nearly as many plaudits as he arguably deserves, but on Saturday against the visitors at Ellis Park (4pm kick-off), the 28-year-old will more than likely run out to earn his 100th cap at franchise level. With the focus squarely on teammates Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn, Morne van den Berg, Henco van Wyk and Quan Horn, it is often easy to overlook the workmanlike and consistent impact that Botha has had on the teams over the years. This season, once again, Botha has been solid — never in the limelight — but…

CONCERNS have been raised over illegal sand mining in Khayelitsha, with the president of the Alliance of Citizens for Change saying excavation pits have been left in areas where children are known to play. The concerns follow a City of Cape Town Law Enforcement operation on Thursday, after ongoing complaints about illegal sand mining on the outskirts of the area. City Law Enforcement spokesperson, Wayne Dyason, said officers responded after repeated reports of illegal activity. “We responded to ongoing complaints of illegal sand mining in Khayelitsha. When officers arrived, digger loaders were found on site, but the operators fled with the keys,” Dyason said. He said officials returned the following day to secure the equipment. “On Friday, officers returned to the site and impounded the heavy plant machinery. In a…

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says the suspect involved in the fatal road rage shooting that left a husband dead and a wife injured in Emmarentia, Johannesburg, will be prosecuted after receiving sufficient evidence. This comes after the NPA decided not to proceed with the prosecution of the 58-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the shooting. The suspect was scheduled to appear in Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court yesterday, but the matter was not prosecutable, leading to his release. NPA spokesperson in Johannesburg, Magaboke Mohlatlole, said that the matter was dropped pending further investigation. Mohlatlole indicated that the NPA was dissatisfied with the evidence at hand. “The investigation will continue with the SAPS, and the matter will be prosecuted once the NPA is satisfied with the evidence,” said Mohlatlole. The…

Cape Town’s new in-app crime reporting feature has drawn positive reactions from officials and safety advocates, with support for improved reporting. However, concerns about response capacity has also been voiced. The feature, available on the City of Cape Town’s mobile app, allows residents to report certain crimes and by-law offences across 17 sub-categories, including metal theft, public drinking, abandoned or broken-down vehicles, problem buildings and poaching. The City said reports are automatically geolocated and routed to the relevant departments, with users able to upload photographs. If an incident type is not available, users are redirected to the Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC). Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith welcomed the rollout. “We are incredibly proud and excited about this milestone… now, the general public can start logging…

SOUTH African Airways (SAA) may have reported a profit in 2024/25, but the Auditor-General (AG) has left no doubt that the airline is out of control financially and is crashing; that its financial figures cannot be trusted; and that its staff are operating without consequence. Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport members, clearly amazed at the severity of the details that lay behind the AG’s disclaimer on the airline’s financial statements, responded to the AG presentation yesterday with words such as: “This was difficult to listen to” and “it is clear the AG does not believe most aspects of the financial statements to be true,” and “people are clearly doing as they wish at SAA, with no consequence.” The national carrier came out of business rescue in 2021. The committee heard…

SEVERAL areas in the far south were affected by localised flooding following heavy rain and strong winds across the Cape Peninsula. Social media platforms and community WhatsApp groups were inundated with photos and videos showing flooded roads and waterlogged areas in Masiphumelele, Ocean View, Sun Valley, Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay. The severe weather followed a warning issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), which forecast widespread rainfall over the south-western parts of the Western Cape. Rainfall of 30mm to 60mm is expected. The warning highlighted the potential for localised flooding of roads and low-lying bridges, along with possible damage to property and infrastructure. Difficult driving conditions, disruptions to traffic flow, and interruptions to essential services such as electricity were also anticipated. The City’s Disaster Risk Management spokesperson, Sonica…

The legal proceedings involving Fannie Masemola, alongside businessman Cat Matlala and other accused persons, have placed South Africa’s policing leadership under an unavoidable spotlight. This is a test of institutional credibility at the very top of law enforcement. The matter, linked to a SAPS tender, has entered the criminal justice system, with allegations concerning public procurement processes and compliance with financial management rules. While no court has made a final determination on guilt or innocence, the fact that the National Police Commissioner is required to appear in proceedings creates a governance dilemma that cannot be ignored. At the heart of the issue is public trust. The SAPS is responsible for enforcing the law, investigating corruption, and maintaining order. Its legitimacy depends not only on its operational capacity but also on…

The Proteas Women’s have left behind the sun-lit skies of Durban and the calming sounds of the Indian Ocean for the bustling city noise of Johannesburg where they will hope to seal a morale-boosting T20I series win over India at the Wanderers. Although conditions have been fairly balmy over the past couple of days on the Highveld, the temperature is set to drop to an alarming 14 degrees and even lower when the first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 6pm this evening. Considering there is also a 70% chance of thunderstorms, it would be fair to suggest that a truncated game may be on the cards. This could prove problematic on many levels, especially with the Proteas Women’s team having only ever played two previous T20Is at the…

Oswin Appollis is not surprised by his impressive start to life at Orlando Pirates, but insists that prioritising the team’s objectives is more important than chasing personal glory. Appollis has been one of Pirates’ standout signings this season, fitting seamlessly into both the club’s system and coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s philosophy, thanks to his work rate in front of goal. His contributions have paid dividends, helping the team secure a cup double – the MTN8 and Carling Knockout – while also remaining in contention for the Betway Premiership title. He has registered 11 goals and nine assists in 38 matches across all competitions. His form has also translated to the South Africa national soccer team, where he has played a key role in their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. Given that…