Table of contents for 2025-12-18 in Cape Argus

As a millennial who grew up loving the blockbusters of the late 1990s and 2000s, I was delighted to learn about the star-studded cast of Oh. What. Fun. From Michelle Pfeiffer in the lead of the new Amazon Prime Christmas movie to Eva Longoria, Chloë Grace Moretz and Denis Leary making appearances, this nostalgic line-up had me genuinely excited. But not even this illustrious talent – which also includes a few newer faces – could save the film from mediocrity. Sure, it offers some humorous and charming moments, and it’s packed with relatable themes, but the production ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression. Pfeiffer (who is truly ageing like fine wine) is its biggest redeeming quality because, overall, we are exhausted by the predictable Christmas-movie formula and the reliance…

A MOTORIST accused of speeding and driving under the influence and killing a cyclist in Camps Bay was released on R15 000 bail yesterday, despite a petition and calls that he remain in custody. A large group of cyclists gathered outside the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court earlier in the day, staging a protest and calling for accountability, while also urging urgent action to improve cyclist safety on Cape Town’s roads, particularly along the Atlantic Seaboard. The 27-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday following a fatal collision in which a 41-year-old cyclist was killed. The cyclist, Idries Sheriff, a father and husband, was killed on Tuesday while out on a solo ride along Victoria Road. According to a petition backing the protest, he was struck head-on after a driver, allegedly under…

SANRAL has formally distanced itself from a proposed R180 million security wall along the N2, saying it has no jurisdiction over the stretch of road at the centre of a deadly smash-and-grab attack – and has not been consulted on the plan. Responding to media enquiries, South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) spokesperson Lwando Mahlasela said the agency has no authority over the stretch of road between Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and the city centre. “The portion of N2 between the CTIA area to Raapenberg Interchange (N2/M5) falls under the jurisdiction of the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure, and the portion of N2 from Raapenberg Interchange (M5) into the city centre falls under the City of Cape Town jurisdiction,” Mahlasela said. “Sanral has no jurisdiction over this portion…

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) passed the 2025/26 Division of Revenue Amendment Bill yesterday, with all nine provinces voting in favour of the important legislative measure. The decision came after the Select Committee on Appropriations presented its report, which was subsequently adopted by the NCOP. “We, therefore, want to declare that the Bill has been agreed to in accordance with Section 65 of the Constitution,” said NCOP Chairperson Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane when announcing the results. The Bill was sent to the NCOP by the National Assembly for concurrence last month. Its passage followed its tabling by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, who introduced it as part of the 2025/26 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. This was a big step towards the adoption of the Adjustment Budget when Parliament reopens in January. One…

The Ethics Committee has issued a stern warning to MPs regarding their obligations under the Code of Ethical Conduct. The warning came following the adoption of five committee reports by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) yesterday, exposing a disturbing trend of misconduct among some parliamentarians. Co-chairperson Joseph Britz emphasised that the integrity of Parliament requires members to uphold the highest ethical standards, warning that persistent disregard for the code will lead to harsher penalties. “The committee has resolved to initiate a comprehensive review of the Code of Ethical Conduct and members’ interests. This review will focus on strengthening enforcement mechanisms, adopting provisions relating to visual conduct, and enhancing deterrence for repeated violations,” Britz said. He stated that the details of the public participation process are set to be announced…

A High Court judge has stepped in to halt the threatened sale of dozens of state-subsidised homes in Cape Town, warning that allowing liquidators to proceed could trigger evictions, undermine housing rights and derail a flagship government housing programme. In an urgent judgment delivered last Friday, the Western Cape High Court interdicted liquidators from selling or disposing of 41 properties forming part of the Olive Close housing project in Melkbosstrand, pending a final ruling on whether the homes can legally be sold at all. Judge Nobahle Mangcu-Lockwood said the case raised issues “of national and constitutional significance”, particularly in light of South Africa’s housing crisis and the state’s obligations under the Constitution. The matter was brought by the City of Cape Town, its city manager Lungelo Mbandazayo and mayoral committee…

Marine conservationists have called for stricter measures in protecting seabirds after a new research paper has underscored how ship-to-ship (STS) fuel transfer impacts on aquatic life in Algoa Bay. The maritime bay is located on the east coast in the Eastern Cape, approximately 683km east of the Cape of Good Hope. STS transfer, also referred to as offshore bunkering, is the process of supplying fuel (bunkers) to ships at sea, away from traditional port facilities. Algoa Bay is currently the only locality in South Africa where STS fuel transfer activities occur off the South African coast, despite the Bay being a hotspot for marine biodiversity. The study found that from 2016 to 2024, close to 400 oiled seabirds were admitted to Sanccob and other rehabilitation centres, with over half of…

In South African cricket, we could have a world-class player scoring runs and taking a bunch of wickets every season in domestic cricket, all for them to never don the green and gold. Some go on to play for South Africa but find themselves back in domestic cricket, as it is incredibly difficult to be a regular in the Proteas setup. This is not a matter of mismanagement, but a matter of the abundance of talent. Had the likes of Colin Ingram hailed from countries such as New Zealand or even England, they probably would have had longer international careers. However, at the time, there were the likes of AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Jacques Kallis making up the top- to middle-order in white-ball cricket. Proteas wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton…

Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin and Botswana clash in a mix of giants and underdogs at AFCON 2025. Senegal head into the tournament as favourites, DRC bring a talented squad to challenge, while Benin and Botswana will be looking to cause surprises and make their mark on the continental stage. SENEGAL CAF Ranking: 2nd Coach: Pape Thiaw Player to watch: Nicolas Jackson Best performance: Champions 2021 Tournament prediction: Semi-finals The Lions of Teranga are hot favourites to win a second title, going into the tournament with an impressive world record run of 22 unbeaten matches. This could well be Sadio Mané’s swansong on the biggest continental stage, and the former Liverpool superstar would love nothing more than to bow out in glory. It is doable, given just how strong…

As a 30-something year-old born and raised in Johannesburg, I grew up listening to DJ Warras (real name Warrick Stock) on the radio. Having followed his career over the decades, I am deeply saddened by his death and will always remember his engaging and warm personality. The 40-year-old radio personality and television host was murdered outside the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg on Tuesday. It is believed that after parking his vehicle at the centre in the Johannesburg inner city, he was approached by three unknown suspects, who opened fire before fleeing the scene on foot. This tragic and horrifying crime was committed against one of the nation’s most beloved stars, a man who spread joy throughout his nearly two-decade-long career. As a teenager, I have fond memories of tuning into…

PROVINCIAL Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile has acknowledged that the Western Cape police force is struggling to maintain effective crime-fighting capabilities as officers and detectives are being poached by other sectors, while they battled to match salaries. He said semigration patterns were further straining resources in the province. Patekile, alongside MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, unpacked the Crime Stats for the province at a media briefing yesterday. Patekile said that since 2010, they have not been able to increase their staff establishment to respond to the rapid increase in population in the province. “For example, semigration and immigration that affects us in the Western Cape, we have not been able to respond in terms of increasing the number of members to respond to the population growth,”he…

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) unanimously passed the Immigration Amendment Bill yesterday, paving the way for its submission to President Cyril Ramaphosa for final assent. This legislation comes in response to a ruling by the Constitutional Court in June 2017, which mandated Parliament to amend the Immigration Act within 24 months due to its unconstitutional elements. The court had held that the Act was unconstitutional because it did not require an automatic judicial review of a detention before 30 days expired. It had also noted that the Act did not require that a detainee be informed of their rights, in particular, the right to legal representation by a lawyer of their choice and be assigned one at State expense if substantial injustice would otherwise result. In its supplementary judgment…

EVERY year, tuberculosis continues to plague tens of thousands of residents in the Western Cape, revealing a dire public health crisis that shows no signs of abating. Recent figures presented in the Western Cape Legislature highlighted that the disease remains far from under control, prompting urgent calls for action. MPL Memory Booysen asked how many patients were treated for tuberculosis in 2023, 2024 and this year to date. Booysen further wanted to know to what extent tuberculosis continues to threaten public health in the province and what challenges the department faces in responding to tuberculosis. In her response, Western Cape health and wellness MEC Mireille Wenger said the department treated 52 182 confirmed tuberculosis cases in 2023. In 2024, the number of confirmed cases treated increased to 53 271. This…

As the festive season approaches, Cango Wildlife is experiencing an exhilarating baby boom that epitomises the spirit of renewal and hope. With each new arrival, the facility is reminded that the best kind of holiday celebration is one marked by new life erupting from the hearts of those who call it home. Among the most significant arrivals is Uzuri, a six-year-old cheetah who, on November 18, gave birth to three healthy cubs. This noteworthy birth is critical, as Uzuri’s lineage is part of an internationally managed breeding programme aimed at preserving genetic diversity in cheetahs, a species in peril. The cubs, named Afrika, Aston, and Amandla, are beginning to reveal their distinct personalities. Afrika, a spirited female cub, is already making waves. Her confident and curious nature has quickly gained…

South African derbies in the United Rugby Championship (URC) rarely hinge on moments of individual brilliance alone. When the Sharks and Bulls meet, the outcome is usually shaped by whose forwards are dominating the scrum and line-out, the breakdown battle and the kicking game. This weekend’s clash at Kings Park in Durban (6pm kick-off) will be no different. Here, we look at five key areas that could determine the outcome. Scrum ascendancy No local derby starts anywhere but in the tight exchanges up-front. The scrum remains central to the Bulls’ playing style. Their ability to generate penalties and apply scoreboard and territorial pressure through set-piece dominance is one of their most reliable weapons. Early scrum success allows them to dictate the tempo, often forcing opponents into a reactive mindset. For…

Men’s tennis world No 1Carlos Alcaraz announced yesterday that he has split from his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero after seven hugely successful years together, with assistant coach Samuel Lopez set to take over. Alcaraz has won six Grand Slam titles among his 24 tour-level trophies under the guidance of fellow Spaniard Ferrero, including this year’s French Open and US Open. The 22-year-old ends the season as world No 1 after claiming eight tournaments in 2025, highlighted by his dramatic victory over Jannik Sinner in Paris. “It is very difficult to write this post,” Alcaraz said, on social media, alongside photos of the pair embracing. “After more than seven years together, ‘Juanki’ and I have decided to end our story together as coach and player. Thank you for making the dreams…

THE City of Cape Town has denied claims that Christian symbols were removed from this year’s Adderley Street festive lights, saying no decision was taken to exclude religious imagery. The City’s response follows public backlash from political parties and religious leaders over what they allege is the removal of Christian symbolism from the iconic festive lights. In response to media enquiries, the City said the festive lights have, for more than five decades, been a “beloved annual tradition”, with thousands of people gathering to witness Adderley Street transformed into a display of lights and decorations. “Each year, the festive lights are themed to incorporate different elements and icons that represent Cape Town and its iconic landscapes and distinguishing features (mountain, penguins, Klopse, wings, bells etc),” the City said. It said…

Police have had their hands full on the public holiday, the Day of Reconciliation, with a taxi driver being shot and killed in Lavender Hill including two other gunshot victims in Imizamo Yethu. Police said a gunman had opened fire on the taxi driver while he sat inside his minibus along Hek Street and Grindel Avenue in Lavender Hill just after 3pm on Tuesday. Sergeant Wesley Twigg, spokesperson for the police, added that the motive for the attack would form part of the investigation. “Steenberg police responded to a complaint of a shooting on Tuesday, at about 3.10pm, on the corner of Hek Street and Grindel Avenue, Lavender Hill and upon arrival on the scene found a 55-year-old male inside a minibus taxi who sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his…

The US has demanded answers from the South African government following a raid on a centre processing US-bound refugee applications in Johannesburg, during which seven Kenyan nationals were arrested. According to CNN, the US government is “seeking immediate clarification from the South African government” and expects “full co-operation and accountability,” State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott was quoted as saying. “We’ll have more to say once all the facts are confirmed, but the Trump Administration will always stand up for US interests, US personnel, and the rule of law,” Pigott told CNN. “Interfering in our refugee operations is unacceptable.” Yesterday, it was reported that the Department of Home Affairs has arrested seven Kenyan nationals for illegally working in South Africa while in possession of tourist visas, following an intelligence-driven…

FIVE Mitchells Plain schools competed in Petco’s Get In The Loop recycling challenge, with Liesbeeck Primary School emerging victorious after collecting 674kg of recyclables. The competition diverted 2.5 tons of waste from Western Cape landfills. The community-driven initiative was supported by Petco, Grandmaster Ready D and his programme G-CAP. In September, the schools competed in the recycling challenge aimed at uplifting local communities, reducing waste, and building long-term recycling awareness among young learners. It encouraged learners to take ownership of their environmental impact while fostering healthy competition between schools, teachers, and families. The results were: First place: Liesbeeck Primary School – recycled 674.80kg Second place: Wavecrest Primary School – recycled 587kg Third place: Caradale Primary School – recycled 487.10kg The campaign successfully diverted waste away from Western Cape landfill sites,…

Fifa World Cup organisers unveiled a new cut-price ticket category on Tuesday after a backlash by fans over-pricing for the 2026 tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. Football's global governing body Fifa said in a statement that it had created a limited number of "supporter entry tier" tickets fixed at $60 (about R1 000) for all 104 matches, including the final. It said the plan was "designed to further support travelling fans following their national teams across the tournament". Fifa said that the $60 tickets would be reserved for fans of qualified teams and would make up 10% of each national federation's allotment. Fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE), which last week called prices “extortionate" and "astronomical", responded by saying Fifa was offering too little. "While we welcome Fifa's…

While it was all fun and games watching the Proteas Women put together their highest ODI total at St George’s Park in Gqeberha earlier this week, the cricket on display was mediocre, and probably their worst game this year. A quick glance at the Proteas Women scorecard during the second limited overs match against Ireland on Reconciliation Day would leave many with smiles on their faces. Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt brought up her 12th One Day century, top-order batter Sune Luus brought up her second career century, while former captain Dane van Niekerk blasted 88 off just 47. These are numbers that would lead many to believe that the squad is continuing from where they left off in this year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, where they reached the…

As 2025 draws to a close, the Premiership table reflects a season of highs, lows, and surprises. From clubs battling relegation to those chasing silverware, the year has delivered drama, standout performances, and lessons for the months ahead. Here, we take a club-by-club look at how each side performed in this year, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and what fans can expect as the league resumes in 2026. 16 Chippa United Chippa’s reputation for living on the edge has resurfaced once again, with the Chilli Boys rooted to the bottom of the table. They are one of three teams to have reached the halfway mark of the season finding themselves paying the price for ongoing instability. Vusumuzi Vilakazi is the latest man tasked with guiding them to safety, becoming the fifth…