Table of contents for 2025-11-28 in Cape Argus

A MITCHELLS Plain father accused of child grooming and the distribution of child pornography, who was found in possession of a collection of 115 000 images and 20 000 videos, has changed his tune and is now pleading not guilty. Earlier this month, Manuel indicated via his legal team that negotiations were underway into a Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act, which empowers the prosecution to enter into a plea and sentence agreement. But this changed this week, when Manuel made another appearance at the Mitchells Plain Regional Court, indicating he would be entering a not guilty plea. The court heard that the trial is set to take place in February. The news comes as the Film and Publication Board (FPB) hosted a media briefing on the development and…

A TENSE showdown at the new MyCiTi Spine Road depots between Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain has become the most visible flashpoint in a province-wide extortion surge that has already affected R470 million worth of public infrastructure projects. The City of Cape Town is seeking an urgent interdict after a group allegedly forced out the legally appointed security provider, Bidvest, on November 24 and threatened to “disrupt or vandalise” the facility unless their preferred company, Sibakhulu, which worked on the depot during construction, was appointed in its place. The confrontation followed an ambushed meeting on November 20 where officials were issued direct threats if their demands were not met. The City said the depot, situated at the corner of Spine Road and Mew Way, is built to serve over 1.4 million…

A recent Safety Index report by Ipsos, commissioned by the ride-hailing platform Bolt, indicates a significant change in South African perceptions of transport safety. The report reveals that 90% of ride-hailing users consider these services to be safer than traditional transport options, such as buses and taxis. The survey highlights that young adults aged 25 to 34 form 43% of ride-hailing users. Most users employ the service several times a week or month. The study further highlights that 90% of respondents choose ride-hailing primarily for the feeling of safety it provides compared to public transport, especially during night travel, navigating unfamiliar areas, or returning from social outings. Notably, this sense of security increases after dark, with 92% of riders reporting that they feel safer using ride-hailing apps at night. Key…

Max Verstappen is seeking a hat-trick of wins at the Qatar Grand Prix this weekend as this year’s Formula One world championship reaches boiling point in the Arabian Gulf. But he will know, better than most, that even with luck on his side he is unlikely to overhaul the 24-point deficit separating him from McLaren's Lando Norris as the final two events of the season approach. Despite being disqualified along with McLaren teammate and title rival Oscar Piastri after finishing second at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last Sunday, Norris arrives in Qatar as favourite to lift his first title and secure McLaren's first team-and-driver double since Mika Häkkinen’s success in 1998. The 26-year-old Briton needs only to hold his nerve and outscore his rivals by two points to leave…

Mark Fish was one in a million. Not only did he carve out an illustrious career for himself from the ’90s, he also partied as hard as he worked on the pitch. A career path honed in the parks of Arcadia in Pretoria took Fish to the limelight of top-flight club Jomo Cosmos. That became the breakthrough he needed, as he spent only one season at Ezenkosi before moving to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates in 1993. In a club that was largely black-dominated, Fish overcame that barrier to instantly become one with the team. He didn’t rely on handouts; instead, he let his game do the talking and established himself. And boy, did he ever. He won the league title in his debut season at the club, etching his name…

Arne Slot insisted he is confident of avoiding the sack despite troubled Liverpool’s dismal 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday. Slot’s side slumped to a ninth defeat in their last 12 matches in all competitions, leaving the Dutchman under mounting pressure. Liverpool’s numerous flaws were brutally exposed by PSV in a Champions League demolition that triggered recriminations as frustrated fans jeered Slot and his players at the final whistle. The unusual sight of empty red seats around Anfield well before full-time delivered a damning verdict on Liverpool’s astonishing fall from grace this season. Beaten 3-0 by Nottingham Forest at Anfield last weekend, Liverpool have now lost three successive games, conceding 10 goals in the process. It is their worst run since the 1953-54 campaign, and Slot is facing pointed…

“Kry jou learners voor jy my wil ry” – if that line is not familiar, then clearly you’re not listening to Temple Boys enough. These Ravensmead-born legends have been doing their thing since 2018, and they’re back, bolder and more seasoned than ever, ready to serve us pure Kaapse vibes with their new album Ons is Hier (meaning “We Are Here”). With nine tracks that slap, they’re fusing the raw heartbeat of traditional gqom with their signature sound, the same sound that’s made them pioneers in Mzansi’s urban music scene. But let me tell you, this album isn’t just for the party. Yeah, we still crank their tunes on beach days (windows down, speakers up) or when you’re throwing down in your aunty’s backyard for that backyard bachelorette. But this…

President Donald Trump’s announcement that South Africa would not be invited to attend the G20 summit in 2026, as well as stopping payments and subsidies, is set to prove that the US has power and dominates the economy. These are the views of political analysts and economists who said South Africa cannot afford a “stand-off” with the US, which is a major lender through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, and the investor through the international banks and companies such as Coca Cola. Trump announced on Wednesday evening via his social media platform that South Africa would not receive an invitation to the 2026 G20, which is expected to be held in Miami, Florida. He also added that the US will stop all payments and subsidies with…

A Brackenfell family has sung the praises of firefighter, Arlin Thielman, who helped save their baby, Daniel. On Friday, November 14, just before 9pm, Daniel’s mother, Miriam Pharoe, administered some paracetamol syrup as the four-month-old felt a bit feverish, and the next thing her son started choking. Panic set in, and the family’s efforts to help the baby came to nought. Desperate for help, they decided to rush him to hospital. On the way, Pharoe told her husband to stop at the fire station, hoping someone there could be of assistance. Thielman stepped in immediately and helped to stabilise Daniel, while also arranging for transport to hospital. Pharoe said she was grateful for firefighter Thielman’s amazing support and assistance, which saved her son’s life. “Your help has really turned our…

Despite being reduced to ten players, Stellenbosch FC secured a thrilling 2–1 victory in a gripping display of tenacity over Orbit College on Wednesday evening at Olympia Park, Rustenburg. Following Thabo Moloisane’s second-half dismissal, Stellenbosch rallied late in the game to end a three-game losing streak in the Betway Premiership. This marked their first away league victory of the season. It came hot on the heels of a triumphant performance just days earlier, where they had defeated the Congolese side AS Otoho in the CAF Confederation Cup, albeit at a temporary home venue in Polokwane due to the unavailability of stadiums in Cape Town. Coach Steve Barker praised his players for their resilience, highlighting the significance of the win. “It was massively important for us to get the win in…

Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen has stressed the importance of securing all three points this weekend when they host Zamalek in their CAF Confederation Cup group-stage encounter at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, with kick-off at 3pm tomorrow. Chiefs opened their group campaign in disappointing fashion, falling to Egyptian outfit Al Masry 2-1, and they will be hoping that this weekend’s fixture provides the boost they need to get their continental push back on course. Amakhosi now face another representative of the Pharaohs, but one with greater pedigree — a club renowned for its reputation and vast experience in this competition, which it has won twice. Beyond that, Zamalek’s five CAF Champions League titles have cemented their status as one of the continent’s true heavyweights, something that co-coaches Cedric Kaze…

Recently, I was coaxed into watching Selling the OC. Vapid, superficial, brain-numbingly infuriating — with scripted melodrama that even the best daytime soapies would be embarrassed about. I could feel the brain-rot seep into my body and coil its parasitic and exploitative critique of human society around my soul. One of the contestants (?), cast members (?), personalities (?), estate agents (?), blights on humanity (?), whatever, was so spray-tanned I might have mistaken them for a fire hydrant. I am not overly fond of reality TV; it is the nadir of our culture, the antithesis of progress and, in most cases, an irritation on regularly scheduled programming. In future, when historians look back at this particular point in time — à la Edward Gibbon — I am fairly sure…

Kirstenbosch Concert: Prime Circle & Jesse Clegg Two Mzansi musical powerhouses will be bringing the festive vibes to the Mother City this weekend during this festival. Attendees will be able to enjoy live music from Prime Circle. The group has been a sensation since they first broke into the scene back almost two and a half decades ago. They will be joined on stage by Jesse Clegg, whose heartfelt hits are sure to have the crowd dancing the night away. When: Kirstenbosch Gardens. Where: Sunday, from 5.15pm. V&A Waterfront Motor Show – All Time Classics Motorheads are in for a treat as the V&A Waterfront’s All Time Classics is back and promises to be bigger and better than ever. Attendees can enjoy cruising through the golden eras of motoring…

The Cape Flats has become a dumping ground for murder victims. Experts in forensic pathology have weighed in on why killers mutilate and dumped bodies in order to disfigure them when identification takes place. Criminals seem to follow the same modus operandi, with bodies found mutilated, burned beyond recognition or in a wheelie bin. The areas commonly recorded with the highest body counts are the dunes along Baden Powell Drive and in Mitchells Plain or in the reeds of Macassar. Recent incidents include: ◆ On November 17 in Waboom Street, Tafelsig, a man was found with parts of his face cut out and his pants pulled down. ◆ On November 20, a man was found dumped in a wheelie bin in Stephen Road, Lotus River. Hours later in Delft,…

The shooting of a taxi driver at a Delft rank has authorities probing whether it is part of the wider taxi violence crisis. A 30-year-old man was shot and killed while sitting inside his taxi at the Khayelitsha taxi rank in Delft Main Road on Wednesday evening. The operator has been confirmed to be a member of the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta). The driver was shot multiple times and there were bullet holes in the windscreen. Police are investigating the murder to determine if it is connected to the ongoing taxi war. But according to the taxi association, preliminary information about the shooting suggest that it is believed to be an isolated incident and not related to the recent bloody conflicts between Codeta and its…

POLITICAL tensions flared in the Western Cape Legislature yesterday when the DA used its majority to block a substantive motion brought by the ANC against Premier Alan Winde. The motion related to the Premier’s earlier claim that the Western Cape was “the murder capital” when the Safety Plan began. Opposition leader Khalid Sayed said the move “exposes the DA’s double standards and its ongoing effort to shield the premier from accountability”. He argued that “misleading the House on such a critical issue – especially in a province facing severe gang and gun violence – cannot be ignored”. Responding to the criticism, the premier’s spokesperson, Regan Thaw said: “The Western Cape Government was justified in launching a safety plan due to the region having the most violent police precincts in 2019.”…

Cape Town International Airport processed more than 287 000 international two-way passengers, a 15% year-on-year increase, bringing total international passenger volumes to nearly 2.6 million from January to October. The City is gearing up for a high-growth summer as the focus remains on global connectivity and destination readiness, with fresh data confirming the Western Cape is leading South Africa’s tourism surge. Addressing tourism and business leaders, Mayoral Member for Economic Growth James Vos said the city’s visitor economy is anchored by its ability to connect with the world. “You’ll often find me in a boardroom with airlines making the case for more routes into Cape Town,” he said. “And it’s paying off, we’re now connected to over 31 global destinations, with more than 228 international flights a week in peak…

When Temba Bavuma led the Proteas to glory at Lord’s this past winter, securing the country’s first ICC trophy in the 21st century, it would have crossed many people’s minds that the diminutive batter is leading a team that could potentially be the best Test team South Africa has ever produced. However, it was clear that the 35-year-old would need to bring down a few giants for him and his team to be mentioned in the same sentence as some of the teams of the past, despite having won the World Test Championship. The first task was Pakistan, where Aiden Markram stepped in for the injured Bavuma and achieved a tied series that ended 1-1. Despite that being a great result for any team touring the subcontinent, many would have…

Despite missing key players due to Springboks duty, the Bulls will field a strong side for their United Rugby Championship (URC) Juksei derby with the Lions. The presence of Bok hardman Elrigh Louw on the replacement bench will add to their impetus as he makes his long-awaited return at Loftus Versfeld tomorrow afternoon (2pm kick-off) following a serious knee injury. Springbok centurion Willie le Roux, hooker Akker van der Merwe, scrumhalf Embrose Papier, centre Jan Serfontein and replacement utility forward Cobus Wiese are the other experienced players set to drive the Bulls' game. However, there is no sign of Handré Pollard for this clash with the Bok pivot returning home from the November tour, but according to head coach Johan Ackermann, he picked up a calf injury in Europe. It…

It is a strange rugby world we live in when a Springboks versus Wales match kicks off during a busy United Rugby Championship tomorrow. The dew will barely have settled at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff when the Sharks run out against Connacht. In Cardiff, the likes of Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Bongi Mbonambi, Ethan Hooker and Andre Esterhuizen will have just enough time to sit down in front of a television, with suitable refreshments, to watch their teammates kick off in Galway against an Irish side that seldom loses at home. How beleaguered coach John Plumtree would love to have those seasoned pros in black and white for such a tough encounter. The weather prediction is for a frosty 3 degrees with strong winds. No rain is expected, but…