Table of contents for 2026-04-13 in Cape Argus

Why I love documentaries is simple: they dig into stories we think we already know, but then hit us with layers we didn’t even see coming. The ones that make you go, “Wait. So all that actually happened?”, even when you thought you already knew the headlines. Lamar Odom was once the headline magnet. Even if you only watched Keeping Up With the Kardashians at sleepovers, you know the moment his health crisis became global news. He was an NBA champion, a Sixth Man of the Year, and an all‑around court magician. Then came the world watching him nearly die on that Las Vegas motel floor, battling an overdose that left fans asking the same question: How did we get here? Untold: The Death and Life of Lamar Odom on…

President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing calls of impeachment after a bombshell Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report into the 2020 Phala Phala farm robbery. According to the report, disciplinary action is recommended for two police officials from the Presidential Protection Service (PPS): Major General Wally Rhoode and Constable HH Rekhoto, for their alleged involvement in a cover-up. The focus has now shifted from the initial theft to the subsequent actions of the state. The African Transformation Movement (ATM) highlighted the allegation that members of the SAPS acted as a “private enforcement unit” for the president, allegedly concealing crimes, bypassing due process, and unlawfully mobilising state resources without even opening a criminal case. A major source of concern for the party is the confirmation that Ramaphosa personally told Rhoode to “handle…

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, confirmed the arrest of nine suspects this week following two separate incidents of attempted illegal harvesting of marine resources within the protected waters of the Robben Island Marine Protected Area (MPA). The arrests stem from intensified operations by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) against organised poaching syndicates targeting South Africa’s vital marine biodiversity. “I want to send a stern warning to poaching syndicates that the senseless and untethered poaching and plundering of our natural resources will come to an end, whether they like it or not,” said Aucamp, commending the DFFE officials for their vigilance on Saturday. The first incident occurred on Tuesday night, when two rubber ducks carrying suspected poachers entered the MPA, said the…

A 38-YEAR-OLD mother and her 12-year-old son were shot dead in a mass shooting in Leiden Avenue, Delft that left four others wounded on Friday night. According to reports, an unknown man knocked on the door, and when the door was opened, he started shooting at the unsuspecting victims. When the Cape Argus’ sister paper, the Daily Voice, arrived at the house, the team was told by residents that no one was there. When the reporter went on to the premises, the pink front gate was wide open; the safety gate was closed, but the front door was open. No one seemed to be home. Residents were afraid to speak to the media, claiming the shooting is gang-related. One of the victims' family members said their relative was in a…

Imtiaz Ahmed Cajee, the nephew of anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Timol, delivered a haunting and blistering testimony at the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into TRC cases on Thursday, calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene in the legal “sideshows” that he says are continuing to traumatise the families of apartheid victims. Cajee, who has spent three decades pursuing the truth behind his uncle’s 1971 death in police custody, told the Commission that watching constant court applications for recusals and legal manoeuvring has a “devastating effect” on families still dying for closure. “I would just like to plead to the president… please take into consideration that we as victims, as affected parties, must sit and watch these proceedings and it is very painful,” Cajee said, urging Ramaphosa not to interfere with the…

THE City of Cape Town has called on residents to rally behind Table Mountain following its nomination as Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards. Economic Growth mayco member, James Vos, said the recognition highlights the global appeal of one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and its central role in the local tourism economy. “Table Mountain is more than just an iconic view, it’s one of the New7Wonders of Nature and central to Cape Town’s tourism offering,” Vos said. He said the nomination underscores the importance of tourism as a key economic driver for the city. “Tourism supports over 106 000 jobs in Cape Town, accounting for nearly 7% of our workforce. When we promote attractions like Table Mountain, we’re also supporting businesses and livelihoods,” he said.…

The Devoted Wife Sarah A Denzil Narrated by Sheridan Smith AUDIBLE ORIGINALS THIS was one of those listening experiences that I simply could not help but devour in one sitting. Sarah A Denzil’s The Devoted Wife is a psychological thriller that demands your full attention, and boy, am I glad I didn’t miss a second of it. Clocking in at just over seven hours, the story unfolds to create an immersive world full of unexpected twists and deeply compelling characters. From the very first moment, Denzil skilfully intertwines the glamorous facade of political life with the depths of inner conflict. As I settled in, I felt the pulse of the narrative quicken, Maya Stone’s life might seem picture-perfect on the outside, yet beneath the surface lies a journey of loyalty…

Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has included 10 uncapped players in a 34-player squad for the team’s first alignment camp of 2026, which started on Sunday. With a demanding season ahead – including the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in May, two home Tests against the US in July, and a September clash with New Zealand’s Black Ferns – De Bruin has prioritised integrating new talent into the national set-up. A total of 14 Tests are scheduled for the year, making early alignment a key focus for De Bruin. The inclusion of 10 new players is a notable feature of the squad, offering emerging players an opportunity to stake a claim alongside more experienced internationals at the camp, which ends on Tuesday. Their call-ups come partly in response to…

CAPE Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis emerged victorious at the party’s Federal Congress in Midrand yesterday, being elected as the party’s new Federal Leader. He succeeds John Steenhuisen, who led the party through its transition into the Government of National Unity (GNU). In a clean sweep for a “new generation” of leadership, Hill-Lewis is joined by Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga, who was elected Federal Chairperson, taking over from Helen Zille. In his acceptance speech, the 39-year-old Hill-Lewis expressed his gratitude to the 2 400 delegates gathered at Gallagher Estate. He also praised Sibusiso Dyonase, who challenged him for the leadership of the party, describing him as a “rising star” whose “cool campaign” reflected the party’s healthy internal democracy. He framed his election not just as a promotion, but as a “deep…

THE 'sex pest' teacher, who is accused of sending sexed-up texts and videos to a minor, will not face any time behind bars. The former Harvester Primary School teacher was sentenced after pleading guilty to sexually grooming a minor after she sent a former learner an explicit video of herself. The accused, who was a former Grade R teacher at the school, was sentenced on March 27 after she entered into a plea agreement with the State at the Mitchells Plain Regional Court. The woman sent a video to the then Grade 7 learner, which was later leaked. According to court documents, around May 25 last year, the accused intentionally exposed the 13-year-old to pornography by sending a nude, explicit video of a sexual nature of herself, in which she…

THE Border Management Authority (BMA) says 4 763 people were intercepted over the 10-day Easter 2026 period while attempting to enter or exit South Africa illegally. Speaking during a briefing yesterday, BMA Commissioner, Michael Masiapato, said 3 170 of the 4 763 people were undocumented. He said a further 998 were classified as undesirables, while 595 were found to be inadmissible for various reasons, including possession of fraudulent visas, failure to produce a yellow fever certificate, or possession of invalid travel documents. He said all travellers intercepted without documents were fingerprinted, declared undesirable for five years, and deported to their respective countries in line with the Immigration Act. ‘‘As in the previous periods, the majority of intercepted individuals were Basotho nationals, followed by Mozambicans, Zimbabweans, Swati nationals, Malawians and Ethiopians,’’…

THE Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) lacks the authority to unilaterally investigate or overturn eThekwini Municipality’s 2018 council resolution on the R22 million expenditure for the statues of former President Nelson Mandela and former ANC president Oliver Tambo, according to Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, unless evidence of non-compliance with statutory frameworks is provided. The municipality, defending the spending, maintains that the project was part of a heritage strategy, involved lawful public participation, and did not compromise essential services, thus arguing against any need for consequence management regarding the expenditure or decision-making process. Hlabisa was responding to questions posed by the MK Party’s Adil Nchabeleng, following a public and political outcry that the municipality spent R22m on two statues while it battles with water shortages, sewage spills, collapsing infrastructure,…

SIX weeks after the City of Cape Town auctioned the Good Hope Centre for R135 million, no buyer has been confirmed and the sale remains subject to an ongoing audit and due diligence process. The City confirmed it has not accepted any bids for any of the properties auctioned on February 26, including the Good Hope Centre, despite claims by Spirit Revelation Ecclesia that the landmark venue had already been purchased. Mayco member for economic growth, James Vos, said the post-auction audit is still under way, with no set timeframe for its completion. “The post-auction audit and due diligence process is under way. “Given the complexity of the assessments, no fixed completion date can be confirmed at this stage,” Vos said. He added that no bid has yet been confirmed…

The launch of a centenary coffee table book at Livingstone High School yesterday brought generations of alumni together in the school hall, blending celebration with reflection as the institution marked 100 years of history, resilience and community. Held at the school itself, the event drew families spanning decades, many bound by deep-rooted ties to the institution, as former pupils, educators, and supporters gathered to honour a legacy shaped across a century. Among those paging through the publication was Gadija Fakier Vallie, Class of 1965, who paused as memories resurfaced. “It brings back so many mixed emotions, sadness, and joy. My brothers were also here, and my husband. We all met here at Livingstone,” she said. Her reflection captured the spirit of the afternoon, where the turning of each page revealed…

Helen Zille is exactly what South Africa needs. Helen Zille is exactly what South Africa doesn’t need. And somewhere in the middle lies the truth. I listened several times to the interview with Zille, and I am always impressed by her ability to deliver crisp, cutting replies – whether right or wrong. There is no hesitation or self-doubt. Criticism is combatted, and critique is dismissed. But there is very little unpacking of the issues that move the dialogue towards Zille’s philosophy of the rational centre. Instead, there is simply the constant aura of potentially explosive combativeness. She is a politician with a base to answer to – one who has moved beyond people-pleasing. Zille’s second coming to party leadership has been difficult, given the fallout following the unceremonious exit of…

Manchester City ignited the English Premier League title race with a second-half blitz that sealed a 3-0 win against Chelsea, as they closed the gap on leaders Arsenal yesterday. Pep Guardiola's teams produced a devastating spell immediately after half-time, with Nico O'Reilly and Marc Guehi scoring in the space of six minutes at Stamford Bridge. Jeremy Doku wrapped up a statement victory to ensure City took advantage of Arsenal's shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday. Second-placed City are now only six points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, setting up a seismic showdown against the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Having beaten Arsenal in the League Cup final and thrashed Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals, City are hitting form at just the right time.…

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes that skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad will "feel at ease" after leading Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a 23-run win over Delhi Capitals (DC) this past weekend — a victory he feels will go a long way in giving the team the confidence to bring their campaign back on track. Sanju Samson’s scintillating unbeaten 115 powered CSK to a massive 212/2 in their IPL clash. He also shared a 113-run stand with youngster Ayush Mhatre, who slammed 59 off 36 deliveries. Jamie Overton picked up 4-18, the best figures of the season so far, using hard lengths well to stifle the DC middle order as they were eventually bowled out for 189. “I think Gaikwad’s captaincy has been very good," said du Plessis on…

While it will take a collective effort from all four South African franchises to maintain their unbeaten runs in the United Rugby Championship (URC), they will still look to key individuals to lead the charge in their respective clashes. The Stormers, Bulls, Lions and Sharks all secured back-to-back victories in the last two URC rounds, and they will be eager to keep that momentum going this weekend. Here, we highlight four players who could prove pivotal to their teams’ fortunes. Chris Smith | Lions The flyhalf will once again be central to the Lions’ hopes as they look to upset log leaders Glasgow Warriors at Ellis Park on Saturday. He has been a consistent figure for the Johannesburg outfit, and that is unlikely to change. Smith remains the competition’s leading…

RESIDENTS in Philippi and Wesbank are being forced to live with raw sewage flowing through their streets, with reports of skin infections linked to prolonged exposure. The City of Cape Town maintains it is responding to ongoing blockages. In Hlungulu Street, Philippi, residents have allegedly been exposed to contaminated water for more than four weeks, with some developing visible skin infections. In Ngqabe Street, a mixture of sewage and clean water has allegedly been continuously overflowing since December, raising concerns about both health risks and water loss. Resident, Phillie Mqweba, said people have been complaining about the sewer overflow for more than a month without resolution. “The water is green and the smell is very bad, we are breathing it inside our homes.” Mqweba, who works in the restaurant industry,…

RISING fuel prices are placing mounting pressure on both workers and small businesses, with transport costs climbing and the broader cost of living continuing to rise. The latest increases, among the steepest in recent years, have seen petrol rise by more than R3 per litre and diesel by over R7, raising concerns about inflation and the ripple effects across the economy. Trade union federation, Cosatu, said its members are already feeling the strain, particularly when it comes to getting to and from work. Cosatu Western Cape spokesperson, Malvern de Bruyn, said the increases were hitting the working class and poor communities hardest. “Workers have raised numerous concerns and complaints about the unaffordability of travelling to and from work. “Some say they do not have enough money to cover transport for…

The Tricia Survé Foundation, in collaboration with the AwqafSA Women’s Fund, held a session called “Empowering the Boychild” for the boys of Newton Primary School in Wellington on Saturday. The core messages delivered to the learners were about inspiration, hope, and perseverance. The hall in Skool Street became a colourful hive of excitement and activity as the session was opened with an arts and crafts segment facilitated by Tasneem Chilwan, where the group of about 50 boys painted their canvases with personal and positive affirmations. The learners and their parents were addressed by a line-up of speakers, which included community leaders and Foundation founder Tricia Survé. Survé shared her vision of wanting to help restore empowerment and positive attitudes. “As someone who had grown up here, I had dreams, and…

HERITAGE Western Cape has rejected a Heritage Impact Assessment linked to the proposed development at Oude Molen Eco Village in Cape Town’s Two Rivers Urban Park. The assessment formed part of a Western Cape Government proposal to redevelop the Oude Molen precinct, which triggered the statutory heritage approval process under the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA). The ruling, issued on April 8, followed a meeting of the Impact Assessment Committee held on March 18. The authority said: “The application is not approved,” adding that “the development as proposed cannot be considered as the Heritage Impact Assessment does not meet the requirements of Section 38(3) of the NHRA”. The ruling is subject to a 14-working-day appeal period. Appeals must be submitted via the South African Heritage Resources Information System (Sahris) platform.…

There is a particular kind of moment in history when the powerful, in their arrogance, do something so naked, so unfiltered, that the mythology holding power together cracks in real time. The US’ war against Iran has been that moment. Not because the US has never behaved this way before, it has, consistently and for decades. But because Donald Trump does not do subtlety. Where previous administrations conducted the same foreign policy through carefully worded press releases and diplomatic euphemism, Trump announces it on Truth Social in all-capitals. He posted that “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again”, unless Iran met his demands. He didn’t create a new American foreign policy. He simply made the old one visible and once you’ve seen it, you cannot…

Gerda Steyn may have extended her remarkable reign with a seventh consecutive Two Oceans Ultra Marathon title, but the South African icon made it clear after Saturday’s victory in Cape Town that she is far from finished. Her latest triumph reinforces her status as the dominant force in the race, yet Steyn struck a notably reflective tone – balancing deep satisfaction with an honest acknowledgment that time is beginning to creep into the conversation. “The goal (Saturday) for me was first of all to win a seventh consecutive Two Oceans in a row, so for that I’m very happy and I feel like I’ve achieved what I set out to do,” she said. While the result adds another layer to an already glittering legacy, Steyn’s focus is no longer just…

Kaizer Chiefs combined momentum with maturity to finally snap a five-year winless run against TS Galaxy, securing a controlled 2-0 victory at FNB Stadium to strengthen their grip on a CAF Confederation Cup spot. Amakhosi arrived on the back of three consecutive wins and immediately imposed themselves on proceedings, dominating possession and territory from the first whistle. The result sees Chiefs move to 42 points, opening a three-point gap over fourth-placed AmaZulu, while still holding two games in hand — a significant advantage in the race for continental qualification. However, co-coach Cedric Kaze has urged his sides to remain grounded despite reaching this significant milestone, warning that recent progress will count for little without sustained focus. “We need to keep pressure, pressure on everyone, in training, out of training to…

The recent departure of Max Verstappen's lead engineer Giapiero Labiase from Red Bull has once again fired speculation about his future. This time, McLaren are at the centre of those rumours. The shock decision by Gianpiero Lambiase to leave Red Bull Racing has done more than unsettle the former champions, it has reignited long-standing questions about where Max Verstappen sees his future in Formula One. Lambiase has been a central figure in Verstappen’s rise, acting as both race engineer and trusted voice during the Dutchman’s dominant run at Red Bull. Their relationship, built over nearly a decade, has often been cited as one of the strongest driver-engineer pairings on the grid. With that partnership now set to end, even if not immediately, the sense of stability around Verstappen’s camp…

International athletes stole the spotlight on Sunday morning’s Totalsports Two Oceans Half Marathon powered by BYD in Cape Town, with Kenya’s Felix Kibet Masai and Namibia’s Lavina Haitope producing dominant performances on a day when South African hopes were largely overshadowed. While the ultra marathon titles on Saturday belonged to the darling of SA distance running, Gerda Steyn, and little-known Arthur Jantjies from Hopetown, the half marathon firmly belonged to the international elite. Kibet Masai delivered a ruthless front-running display to win the men’s race in 1:03:17 – the fastest winning time in the event since 2017 and just one second shy of the new course record. The Kenyan, relatively unknown in local circles but fresh off a 10km personal best of 27:24 in France earlier this month, signaled his…