Table of contents for 2025-12-23 in Cape Argus

HUMAN remains discovered near a sports field and railway line in Elands Bay are under investigation by heritage authorities, amid indications they may be of First Nation origin. The Cederberg Municipality confirmed on Friday that the discovery had been reported to the police. “The area has been cordoned off by the SAPS, and the municipality is working with Heritage Western Cape and the SAPS to monitor the situation,” it said. According to the municipality, Heritage Western Cape has indicated that the remains may be of First Nation origin and is leading the process to determine their significance in line with heritage legislation and protocols. Elands Bay is officially recognised by the Western Cape government as an area of major archaeological and cultural importance, anchored by Elands Bay Cave, which…

After it was revealed that the DA had decided to bring Starlink to South Africa, a fresh political conflict between the ANC and the DA in the Government of National Unity is imminent. Ellon Musk’s Starlink is currently being pushed by the DA through its own Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, to enter the South African market without fulfilling the requirement of the Black Economic Empowerment policy, which is to sell 30% to black businesses. Malatsi reportedly directed the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) to re-align its policies to allow Starlink to enter the market without selling its shares to black South Africans as required by BEE. Reports suggested that the DA pushed for Starlink to enter the South African market as part of the…

People going on holiday locally and those travelling to neighbouring countries for the festive season need to be on the lookout for criminals posing as border officials as well as fraudulent transport and accommodation scams. That’s the warning from Ann-Suhet Marx, Director and Head of Litigation at law firm VDM Incorporated. While legitimate checks at roadblocks and border crossing are essential, syndicates are exploiting the chaos of peak travel, posing as officials or service providers to extort cash from unsuspecting families, she warns. “It’s the time of year when identity theft, false fines, and financial losses spike, so South Africans must be able to tell the difference between lawful checks and unlawful demands designed to defraud and intimidate.” Marx further warned that not every uniform is legitimate, pointing out that…

There are moments in the life of a city when a single decision tells you everything about who holds power, whose fears matter, and whose humanity is negotiable. The proposed R180 million wall along the N2 is one of those moments. Let us speak honestly and painfully clearly. This wall is not just concrete and steel. It is a symbol. And symbols matter more than Mayor Hill-Lewis likes to admit. They lodge in the memory of a people. They tell future generations what we were willing to normalise. This wall tells poor people: you are the threat. It tells motorists and tourists: we will protect you from “them”. It tells the world: Cape Town has chosen separation over solidarity. Shameful and sad, for this is our lived reality. For a…

Moroccan playmaker Brahim Díaz etched his name into football history by scoring the opening goal of AFCON 2025 on Sunday evening. This moment not only exemplified his notable prowess on the pitch but also saw him join an exclusive group of legendary footballers, including Marc-Vivien Foé (Cameroon, 2000) and George Weah (Liberia, 2002). In a thrilling start to the 35th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the atmosphere at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat was electrifying. The sell-out crowd of 53,000 fans witnessed a spectacular opening ceremony. The event showcased a vibrant blend of music, dance, and cultural symbolism, setting a firm tone as Morocco prepared to face Comoros in a clash that would kick off a month-long celebration of African football. History has…

Former England pacer Stuart Broad has doubled down on his assertion that the current Australian side is the weakest Ashes team England have faced in 15 years, despite the hosts referencing his comments during their celebrations in Adelaide. Ahead of the series, Broad had claimed Australia were at their lowest ebb since England last won the Ashes in Australia in 2010–11, describing his assessment as “not an opinion” but “a fact”. He cited Australia’s transition and uncertainty around selection as the basis for his view. Those remarks clearly resonated within the Australian camp. After Australia secured the Ashes with victory in the third Test in Adelaide, Marnus Labuschagne referenced Broad’s comments during a post-match interview with the ABC. Travis Head later added fuel to the fire by posting a photo…

Three alleged gangsters charged with the murder of young Zubair Jacobs, who was gunned down outside his Eastridge home two years ago, are moving closer to trial as investigations have now been finalised. Niyaaz Abdullah, Lorenzo Brown and Javonne Solomons returned to the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court yesterday which heard that the investigation into the November 7, 2023 shooting is complete. The court previously heard that all three accused abandoned their bid for bail. The accused are alleged members of the Firm Gang. Zubair’s death came months after three of his older brothers were shot and injured while sitting in a parked car in Kameel Street, Eastridge. Shocked residents gathered at the crime scene and consoled Zubair’s heartbroken parents while the Grade 1 learner from Littlewood Primary School lay in…

A SERIES of brutal killings in the taxi industry has prompted an urgent response from taxi associations and provincial government officials, who are now working together to find solutions to the escalating violence. Two murders in less than 24 hours, between Sunday and Monday, raised the tally to five in the last seven days, following three deaths last week. On Sunday night, a 33-year-old taxi owner affiliated to the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) was shot and killed while sitting inside his Toyota Fortuner in Mashakane Street, Lwandle, Somerset West. Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that Lwandle police are investigating a case of murder. Van Wyk reported: “Circumstances surrounding a shooting incident on Sunday night at 10.30pm at Mashakane Street, Lwandle where the body of a 33-year-old male…

A behind-closed-doors settlement between Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), which would have cost consumers approximately R54 billion, was slammed by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria. The court not only refused to make the settlement an order of court but said it is untenable that such a decision could be made without public participation. The settlement endeavoured to correct an error in Eskom’s allowable revenue determination. The judgment, issued on Sunday, followed Eskom’s original court application for a review of Nersa’s decision regarding Eskom’s Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD) application tariff. However, the application turned into a settlement agreement, which would have allowed Eskom to increase electricity tariffs by almost 9% annually, thereby recovering an additional R54 billion from already overburdened consumers. Eskom subsequently asked the court…

Since the dawn of democracy, the ANC has controlled the country’s education lever with an iron-fisted transformative approach committed to bringing about redress and ensuring access without apparent focus on the return on investment for South Africa. Gone was the racist apartheid-era spending on children according to the colour of one’s skin. In its place was an amalgamated single education system for all. That is well and good, but missing has been any reflection on whether the nation has been adequately served in terms of getting value for money spent. Education was chief among the bedrock of the ANC’s promise of “a better life for all”, along with social welfare, housing, health, and other competing priorities. But the slow economic growth and high unemployment rate counter the transformative good. South…

A series of reform measures aimed at reshaping the continent’s football landscape has sent ripples through African football. Over the weekend, Patrice Motsepe, the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), unveiled these reforms at a press conference in Morocco, just one day before the kick-off of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). These reforms have sparked widespread criticism, particularly from former players and football enthusiasts who claim that CAF prioritise European interests at the expense of Africa’s football development. The primary reform was to move AFCON to a four-year cycle, rather than the customary two-year cycle. Furthermore, he announced the cancellation of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in favour of a new, eagerly anticipated competition: the African Nations League, set to launch after 2027. This new format…

Unai Emery insists Aston Villa will not win the Premier League, but the Spaniard’s ecstatic celebration of Morgan Rogers’ decisive strike against Manchester United revealed his true feelings about their surprise title charge. Usually a composed figure on the touchline, Emery put his emotions on display for all to see after Rogers produced his second fine finish of the afternoon to clinch a pulsating 2-1 win at Villa Park on Sunday. The England midfielder’s 57th-minute goal prompted Emery to roar in delight before ripping off his jacket and hurling it into the air. It was a fascinating insight into Emery’s mindset in the midst of Villa’s remarkable 10-match winning run in all competitions. Villa sit third in the Premier League, just three points adrift of leaders Arsenal and one behind…

THE City of Cape Town has estimated that it would need R12 billion to achieve its long-term plan to improve its sewage discharge at the ocean outfalls to protect the marine environment and ensure the health and safety of the users of its beaches. ActionSA and the Freedom Front Plus have accused the DA-run municipality of disposing of untreated raw sewage into the sea, creating a health hazard, including E.coli. The municipality’s Mayoral Member for Water and Sanitation, councillor Zahid Badroodien, said the City is implementing alternatives.”It is estimated that the cost of these projects will amount to R12bn,” he said. He said as a short-term measure, the City had in November awarded a R200 million refurbishment tender, which is currently in the appeal period. This tender would, among other…

Former president Thabo Mbeki has delivered a blunt assessment of the ANC, warning that the governing party and the country it has led for three decades are facing serious problems with no clear solution in sight. Mbeki made the remarks while delivering a tribute at the funeral of veteran anti-apartheid activist and ANC leader Titus Mafolo in Johannesburg on Friday. Mafolo died last week following a short illness. He was 69. “Titus has left us too early, because the ANC is in problems, serious problems. South Africa is in serious problems. I don’t know about yourselves, but me, I don’t know where South Africa will be tomorrow,” said Mbeki. Mafolo was a respected ANC member, businessman and a key political adviser to Mbeki during his presidency. Since his death, he…

THE Cape Independence Advocacy Group and the Referendum Party’s Phil Craig has defended himself again amid repeated calls for his deportation. A petition, started on March 7, 2024, has been gaining increased visibility over the last few months. The petition calling for Craig’s deportation is now sitting at 59 800 signatures. The petition, started by “Keep South Africa Free”, has described Craig as a UK nationalist “who is causing division in our country”. “His actions are reminiscent of the apartheid era, threatening to tear apart the unity we have fought so hard to establish. It is unacceptable that an outsider seeks to disrupt our peace and harmony. “South Africa has come a long way since the end of apartheid in 1994. We have strived for unity and equality among all…

THE City of Cape Town has announced that approximately 50 land opportunities across the metro, an action which has drawn criticism from political parties. The land will be made available for sale and lease as part of a new municipal land-release programme aimed at unlocking private-sector investment and supporting economic growth. The properties, which are zoned for residential, commercial, industrial, community and mixed-use purposes, will be sold through a public auction process overseen by the City-appointed auctioneer, Claremart Group. The full list of sites will be published on the auctioneer’s website ahead of the sale. According to the City, the land parcels are located in strategic areas, including the Good Hope Centre precinct, as well as commercial and industrial sites in Mitchells Plain, Atlantis Industrial, Parow and Goodwood. Mayoral Member…

Sunrisers Eastern Cape batter Jordan Hermann admitted that former captain Aiden Markram’s departure is a big loss but emphasised that the culture that has been built in Gqeberha is strong enough for the team to continue its dominance in the upcoming SA20 season. Markram’s leadership was a big part of Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s success in the first three seasons of the SA20. The 31-year-old led the Gqeberha-based Sise to back-to-back trophies and a runners-up medal in the third season of the competition. This year, coach Adrian Birrell’s team has appointed new captain in Tristan Stubbs, as Markram opted to put his name in the hat for the auction, where he was signed by Durban’s Super Giants as their new captain for the season. Batter Jordan Hermann admitted that Markram’s departure…

Ruben Amorim fears Bruno Fernandes will be out for “a while” after the Manchester United captain was injured during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa. Fernandes has started every Premier League game this season, but the Portugal midfielder is unlikely to extend that run any further following his injury setback at Villa Park. The 31-year-old initially played on after pulling up with what appeared to be a hamstring issue just before the break, but he did not return for the second half. Amorim ruled his influential star out of the Boxing Day clash against Newcastle, with severe doubts about his availability for the rest of the Christmas and New Year schedule. “It’s a soft tissue. I think he’s going to lose some games. I don’t know for sure, so let’s…

Arsenal held off Manchester City to stay top of the Premier League at Christmas courtesy of a Viktor Gyokeres penalty in the 1-0 win at Everton. Liverpool cashed in on nine-man Tottenham’s lack of composure to extend their revival in the absence of Mohamed Salah. Bottom of the table Wolves are setting unwanted records after a 10th straight league defeat against Brentford. Here we look at three talking points from the weekend’s action: Arsenal aim to crack Christmas curse The Gunners will be top of the tree on Christmas Day for the third time in four years after grinding out a first Premier League away win in four games on Merseyside. Being in first place at that landmark point of the campaign is usually a sign of future champions, but…