Table of contents for 2026-03-30 in Cape Argus

Through a powerful and poignant new documentary, Loyiso Mkize hopes to place African superhero David Zavimbe, the original Batwing, in the global spotlight. The renowned South African visual artist, illustrator and graphic designer made a significant international breakthrough by illustrating Batwing (Luke Fox) for DC Comics in 2021. Now on BATWING Unmasked: An African Super Hero, which is currently available to stream on DStv Catch Up, he also lends his voice to the narrative around Batwing’s lack of presence in the comic book world as he highlights how African voices are reframing the superhero’s story for a new generation of fans. This superhero is a Congolese police officer known as the “Batman of Africa” who was hand-picked by Bruce Wayne to join Batman Incorporated. And for Mkhize – who…

Abu Baker Ceaser, 20, who is accused of attempting to murder his ex-girlfriend, has been denied bail and will remain in custody. The ruling was made at Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court last Thursday. The accused is charged with attempting to murder Micha Renge, 21, during an incident on December 22 last year near the Mnandi Beach canal. The magistrate said releasing him could put the complainant in danger. The court also highlighted that the accused had undermined the criminal justice system by providing false information after his arrest. “While he was in police holding cells, he allegedly said his name was Bruce-Lee when asked if Abu Baker Ceaser was in the cell. When he gave a false name in custody, the accused allegedly admitted, “I wanted to get away with…

TWO more two taxi drivers and a passenger were shot on Friday amid ongoing taxi violence in Cape Town. A 44-year-old taxi driver associated with the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) was shot dead on the corner of Delft Main Road and Tamarisk Street around 9.20pm on Friday. Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said: “Police responded to a complaint of a shooting, and upon arrival on the scene, they found the victim next to his minibus taxi with gunshot wounds to his body. “The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. The motive for the attack is believed to be taxi-related.” Codeta chairperson Nceba Enge said that he does not know the full…

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa says there has been progress in tackling corruption, but he acknowledges it remains a major problem in South Africa. Ramaphosa made the remarks on Saturday while delivering closing comments at the party’s 14th provincial conference at Mbombela Stadium. “We’re also seeing some progress in fighting corruption. Yes, corruption is still a major problem in our country,” he said. “However, efforts are being made to fight corruption, and the revelations coming through the Madlanga Commission and the ad hoc committee should not discourage us.” “Instead, we should see them as an opportunity to deal with the problems we have had in the police service and to get rid of the rot in our security cluster,” he said. Ramaphosa said these efforts would help resolve issues within the…

It is an honour for me to share this remarkable story – one that speaks not only about art, but about perseverance, history and the ability to create even in the most extreme conditions on Earth. In March 2026, members of the Russian art collective HoodGraff completed a large-scale mural at the Russian Antarctic research station “Progress”, marking one of the most unusual examples of contemporary street art in recent years. What makes this initiative particularly noteworthy is not only its location, but also its purpose. The mural is dedicated to the discoverers of Antarctica – explorers Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev – effectively connecting historical legacy with modern artistic expression. The setting itself adds another layer of significance. Progress Station is among the most isolated and difficult-to-access…

Stormers head coach John Dobson lamented his side’s impatience against Edinburgh on Saturday evening after it took them until late in the clash to put their visitors away. While they claimed a 33-14 United Rugby Championship (URC) victory to remain second in the standings, they failed to capitalise on their dominance in the first half. It took two tries around the 60th minute to finally pull clear of the Scottish visitors, but before that, the 20 000-plus supporters inside DHL Stadium would have been somewhat uneasy. However, two spectacular tries ultimately sealed both the victory and the bonus point, keeping the Cape side in touch with the Glasgow Warriors, who currently sit top of the table. “There is a lack of patience within the team,” director of rugby John Dobson…

CAF president Patrice Motsepe said yesterday he will “respect” the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision on Senegal’s appeal against being stripped of its Africa Cup of Nations title. “I will respect and implement the CAS decision. My personal opinion regarding the matter is irrelevant,” Motsepe said in Cairo, after a meeting of CAF executives. The Senegal appeal came after the CAF appeals body overturned a 1-0 win by Senegal over hosts Morocco in the Cup of Nations final last month. Many Senegalese players, head coach Pape Thiaw and his staff walked off the pitch in Rabat after Morocco were awarded an added-time penalty. After they returned, Brahim Diaz missed the penalty. Pape Gueye scored in extra-time to win the title decider. A CAF disciplinary committee later fined various…

It looks like Usimamane is not slowing down anytime soon. The Umlazi-born rapper has teased what could be another big international moment, this time linking up with American rapper Sexyy Red. Sexyy Red gained popularity with her viral single Poppin in 2022, which went viral on TikTok and other platforms. She’s known for her energetic and provocative style and has been making waves in the music scene since. According to SA Hip Hop Mag, a preview of the unreleased song, reportedly titled 50 Bandz, was posted on Usimamane’s Instagram story but has since been deleted. The screenshot of the post has been making the rounds, hinting at a high-energy collaboration that blends local and international rap. The song is also said to feature Boity Thulo, adding a familiar local touch…

Knysna is racing to secure its water supply during critical flow periods, with the Western Cape government approving R2.5 million in emergency funding to restore a key pumping system needed to capture and store water when it becomes available. Local Government and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell authorised the funding for the urgent procurement of new pump motors at the Charlesford Pump Station, a central link in the town’s water supply network. The repairs, expected to be completed by April, are aimed at improving the municipality’s ability to pump raw water from the river to the Akkerkloof Dam during periods when river levels are high enough for abstraction. “This is an immediate and necessary intervention to strengthen Knysna’s water security,” Bredell said. The Charlesford Pump Station plays a critical role…

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says government will continue acting on the Health Ombud’s findings into two patient deaths in Gauteng and is prepared to establish a tribunal if any parties dispute the report. This follows the release of findings by the Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, into two patient deaths in Gauteng, which exposed serious lapses in care, governance and patient safety in both public and private facilities. The investigations found that psychiatric patient Lerato Mohlamme died after a fire in a seclusion unit at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, where failures included the improper admission process, the withholding of food and medication, and inadequate fire safety measures. A separate investigation examined the death of a newborn at Netcare Femina Hospital, where concerns were raised about the standard of care…

Zimbabweans will, from March 30 to April 2, have an opportunity to make their voices heard on the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3, which proposes changes to allow election cycles to repeat every seven years. This is part of the country’s ongoing effort to engage citizens in shaping key national laws. Starting next week, Parliament will roll out nationwide public consultations on the Bill before it moves further in the legislative process. These consultations aim to ensure that citizens across Zimbabwe have a chance to share their views and ask questions about the proposed amendments. In recent weeks, debate around the proposed changes has intensified, particularly on social media platforms. Citizens, legal experts, and political actors have all joined the conversation, discussing key provisions of the Bill and what they…

The Lions may have finished the match with four late tries, but coach Ivan van Rooyen admits Saturday night’s home United Rugby Championship clash against the Dragons was a “street fight” that ultimately underlined the side’s growing maturity and mental resilience. Van Rooyen was quick to credit the visitors for dragging his team into a physical arm-wrestle. The Dragons’ defensive breakdown work and intensity disrupted the Lions’ usual rhythm for long periods, putting pressure on their structure and testing their patience. “They’ve got the ability to be really physical. Their defensive breakdown is world-class,” Van Rooyen admitted afterwards. “Their physicality is up there with the top two, three teams in the competition. "They’ve got this ability to get you out of your rhythm. We saw it against the Stormers last…

The latest injury setback to Springboks lock RG Snyman, confirmed by his club Leinster after their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Glasgow Warriors, is undoubtedly disappointing. The towering lock, affectionately known as “The Viking”, has endured a stop-start international career due to injuries. This latest development could see him missing most of an important 2026 international rugby season. Yet, for all the initial alarm and headlines pointing to a lock crisis, this is not a situation that should unsettle the world champions as they continue building towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Snyman’s unique skill set — the offloading game he has mastered, his athleticism, and presence in open play — adds a different dimension to the Springboks’ pack and their evolving attack under Tony Brown. However, the success…

Tottenham Hotspur have parted company with coach Igor Tudor by mutual consent yesterday after just seven games in charge as they battle to stay in the Premier League. Tudor lost five of those matches to leave Spurs out of the Uefa Champions League and hovering just one point above the relegation zone. The 47-year-old did not appear in front of the media after last weekend's damaging 3-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest after learning of his father's death just after the game ended. “We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for head coach Igor Tudor to leave the club with immediate effect,” Tottenham said in a statement. “We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at…

A Durbanville woman’s attempt to fill her tank is fuelling concern across Cape Town, after she says she was told she could only buy 35 litres of petrol, despite government assurances that there is no national fuel shortage. Her experience comes as Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has warned of possible fuel hoarding and called for urgent national intervention. “This is unethical. I implore suppliers to continue providing fuel for their clients. Withholding supply places the economy and livelihoods at great risk,” Winde said. Faranaaz Brown said she was confused when a petrol attendant informed her of the limit, allegedly imposed by the station owner. “I felt very sorry for the petrol attendant who was very apologetic, so I didn’t even bother to get upset with him for just doing…

A RAPE victim violated at a year-end staff function said she is relieved that her perpetrator has been jailed for 12 years. Cameron Smith, a colleague of the complainant, was sentenced in the Cape Town Regional Court on Friday after he was convicted of rape committed at a props hire company in Salt River on December 21, 2023. Smith, charged with rape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, was convicted of rape and acquitted of the second charge. Regional court magistrate Amori Graf, having found that the State’s witnesses were credible and reliable and that the accused’s version could not be reasonably possibly true, deviated from the prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years. The findings made before the court included that Smith entered a bathroom, waited for…

The Western Cape’s public healthcare system is entering a new phase of recovery after years of strain, with more than 800 new posts to be added under a R34.47 billion health budget, but pressure on services remains high. Presenting the 2026/27 Health and Wellness Budget, Mireille Wenger said the province was moving beyond crisis management following the Covid-19 pandemic, fiscal constraints and rising demand, towards rebuilding and strengthening the system. “We are moving beyond simply managing pressure. This budget allows us to actively stabilise and invest, and transform our health system so that it works better for every resident,” Wenger said. The budget includes funding to appoint more than 800 additional staff across the system, aimed at easing pressure on front-line services and supporting the province’s more than 33 000…

Cape Town newlyweds found themselves dancing on stage while being serenaded by one of their favourite artists, Raveena, at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) at the weekend. The festival saw spectacular performances blending across jazz, R&B, neo-soul, and gospel, while keeping attendees dancing and singing along. One of the festival’s charming and wholesome moments came when Indian-American singer and songwriter Raveena also brought her trademark silky, airy, and gentle voice to the CTIJF, while performing on the Moses Molelekwa stage. Raveena said it was her first time performing in Cape Town and that she has often found herself feeling connected to the City. Throughout her “where the butterflies tour in the rain” shows, Raveena has been inviting couples to come up on stage, while she serenaded them. Newlyweds…

Bulls coach Johan Ackermann says his team’s charity to the opposition in not taking gift-wrapped opportunities has to stop. The Bulls narrowly escaped losing to a resurgent Munster on Saturday. The Irishmen outscored the Bulls five tries to four in their 34-31 defeat, and the Bulls had Handre Pollard’s deadly boot to thank for the win. The Bulls banked five log points and have moved up from eighth to seventh, but their old malady of making life difficult for themselves continues. “We could have put them away on several occasions, but we didn’t purely because of execution and errors such as knock-ons and other basic errors,” he said. “As a team, we create opportunities and then we just don’t finish them. That’s the part we keep reviewing and working on,…

Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be without South Africa batter Dewald Brevis for their IPL 2026 opening match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) today, after they confirmed he suffered a side strain while training, according to head coach Stephen Fleming. “Brevis is out. He had a side injury during training. So again, he is rehabbing. CSK are hopeful he will be fit again soon,” said Fleming, in the pre-match press conference at the ACA Stadium yesterday. Brevis’ absence compounds CSK’s injury woes; fast bowler Nathan Ellis has already been ruled out of the season, while former captain MS Dhoni is expected to miss the first two weeks of the competition due to a calf strain. It is understood that Dhoni has not travelled with the team to Guwahati and…