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

It’s alarming to consider the implications of South Africa’s insurance gap, and even more concerning that so many consumers have little to no insurance protection in place. This leaves them dependent on the government, family, or credit (which often leads to debt) when the unforeseen occurs, creating far-reaching consequences for generational wealth. While economic pressures are felt worldwide, the lack of financial protection in South Africa is largely tied to limited awareness of the importance of financial planning and of how the absence of proper planning hinders the ability to protect and grow wealth. It’s often said that most people are only three salaries away from financial distress. Given South Africa’s weak savings culture, many live paycheque-to-paycheque with very little disposable income, making affordability a significant barrier to financial planning.…

SPORTS fanatics can be assured that the R2 billion mixed development set to take place next to the Cape’s DHL Stadium will not impact operations and games and will operate normally. This development will feature hotel, retail, and office spaces designed to create a lively, year-round destination that supports tourism, business, and local employment. It will boast a hotel with 190 rooms, 200 apartments, 3 000m² of retail space, and premium-grade office space. According to acclaimed property broker Ash Müller, the hotel will feature an international brand. But while the buzz and noise are being made about the planning, zoning, and economic development, Kelly Thuynsma, Head: Marketing – Cape Town Stadium (RF) SOC LTD, told the Cape Argus it would be business as usual: “Stadium events will not be impacted…

The widow of Metro Police officer Tyler Lamb is devastated after her husband was killed in the line of duty. Four suspects have since been arrested for the 30-year-old officer’s death with three officially being charged, while two has since abandoned their bail. Lamb fell from a roof while chasing suspects following a business robbery in Kensington on Friday. JP Smith, Mayco member for Safety and Security, confirmed the arrest of the suspects: “The City of Cape Town welcomes the arrest of four suspects for the murder of slain Metro Police Constable Tyler Lamb. If we cannot protect our officers, they cannot protect the public. Our thoughts are with his family. We will continue to support them in any way we can while we pursue justice for Tyler.” The suspects…

South Africans battling high food and fuel costs could get some relief, if the Reserve Bank’s calculations are right. The markets will be watching Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana closely when he delivers the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement tomorrow. Tomorrow’s budget is likely to bring the cost of living into sharp focus, with economists saying he could well back a plan to lower the country’s inflation target range. Reserve Bank Governor, SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago, has been pushing to lower the inflation target from the current 3%–6% range to a flat 3%. Kganyago argues that a lower target would support “sustainable economic growth and cheaper borrowing costs”. This could eventually make borrowing and living costs cheaper. Investec treasury economist Tertia Jacobs said the change would give the policy more credibility. “What…

South Africa is facing a deepening crisis in its forensic and crime investigation systems, with massive backlogs in autopsies, toxicology, ballistics and DNA testing leaving thousands of families in limbo and countless gun-related cases stalled indefinitely. Investigations are grinding to a halt, prosecutions are collapsing, and grieving families are left waiting years for closure. As of August, the national backlog for toxicology cases alone stood at around 40 000, according to data from the National Health Laboratory Service. In provinces such as the Western Cape, families of gun violence victims say they face waiting times for final autopsy reports when testing is required. These delays mean that in many cases, families cannot complete funeral arrangements or settle insurance and legal matters. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness (WCDHW)…

For many who thought Covid-19 was behind them, the virus can linger in unexpected ways. New research shows that microscopic blood clots, interacting with the body’s own immune system, may explain why some patients suffer prolonged symptoms, commonly called Long Covid – months after infection. A collaborative study by Stellenbosch University and France’s Montpellier Cancer Institute has uncovered a previously unknown link between “microclots” and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). These immune structures, normally deployed to trap pathogens, can become harmful when overproduced, fuelling inflammation and circulatory problems. Microclots, tiny clumps of blood clotting proteins were first identified in Covid-19 patients by Professor Resia Pretorius in 2021. Since then, scientists have been exploring their role in post-viral complications. NETs, explained Professor Alain Thierry, are webs of DNA expelled by white blood…

Red Bull KTM rider Brad Binder left the Algarve International Circuit a satisfied man after securing a second consecutive fifth-place finish at the Portuguese MotoGP this past weekend. The South African collected a total of 12 points from the weekend in Portimao — one from the sprint and 11 from the main race — moving him up to 145 points overall, just one shy of breaking into the Top 10. He now trails 10th-placed Raul Fernandez, who sits on 146 points. Although still without a win or podium this season, Binder has shown stronger form in the latter half of the campaign after a challenging start. He’ll be aiming to close the season on a high note when the curtain falls at the Valencia GP this coming weekend. The 30-year-old…

Perhaps Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos was being pragmatic. Perhaps diplomatic. Or perhaps optimistic. But the truth is, Bafana having only one international friendly during this Fifa week is far from ideal. Broos defended the decision recently, citing player fatigue. “When you see the programme in the PSL at the moment,” Broos said, “the players are playing every three days. “I wanted to save them a little bit with another two games with the national team. Every game with the national team, I ask the player to go 100%. “With all the games they are playing now, it is better to play only one game, a good game, than playing two games with players who are suffering from fatigue. We have played a lot of games this year already, so…

For ages, we've been sold this shiny idea that retirement is “work hard for 40 years, invest, and boom”, welcome to your reward of endless golf, beach chairs, and grandkid photos. Punch in, punch out, straight to margarita time. But honestly, that’s looking pretty outdated now, almost like a hoax. People live way longer, the economy’s a rollercoaster, and, well, it turns out people are not actually built for 30 years of pure leisure. The big switch-up Old-school retirement made sense when 65 was ancient and the average person lasted a couple more birthdays after collecting the gold watch. Fast forward, and many people are facing another 20, 30, or even 40 years after “retiring.” It’s a struggle to invest for three decades of leisure. And that’s just the money…

THE man accused of murdering his two sisters and wounding a 12-year-old boy outside of Portland Primary School, has made an appearance at the Mitchells Plain Magistrates’ Court together with his alleged accomplice, believed to be his “getaway driver”. Murder-accused Ederies Smith, 32, and Nazmie Lekay, 33, made their first court appearance, facing charges including two counts of murder and attempted murder. Their appearance comes after Smith’s sisters Gouwah Smith-Newman and Zainab Jacobs were gunned down on November 6, outside the school in Mitchells Plain. The court heard that the State intends on opposing their bail after the case was postponed to November 17. It followed a dramatic twist, after the magistrate recused herself from hearing the bail application stating concerns that she had prior knowledge of elements expected to…

National Chairperson of the SACP, Professor Blade Nzimande, has proposed a Special National Congress to review the Party’s 2024 decision to contest the 2026 local elections independently of the ANC. He warned that any implementation should rest on a “concrete analysis of the concrete situation.” The announcement comes just days ahead of the SACP’s 6th Special National Congress in Johannesburg, this week. Nzimande said the Party finds itself at “a decisive historical juncture that calls for sober reflection.” He argued that reviewing the 2024 resolution “is not a matter of bureaucratic housekeeping, but a profound political necessity” given the evolving conditions in South Africa’s political economy. He said the Party must reassert its revolutionary role “not through rhetoric, wishful thinking or revolutionary slogans, but through dialectical engagement with changing…

The City of Cape Town has made nearly R8 million available over the next two financial years through its arts and culture development branch, which will support qualifying organisations in the arts, culture, and heritage sector. The City hosted an information session at Rylands community hall last week, to explain the requirements for online applications, which close on Wednesday, December 3. However, only a handful of people attended this session. Thembisa Majikijela from Intsika Yesizwe non-profit organisation in Philippi East welcomed the funding and information session. Their organisation has been running for five years without funding and focuses on skill development, feeding schemes, home gardening, sewing, and entrepreneurship training, she said. Majikijela said the support could provide a new stepping stone for their projects. Omar Galant from Athlone, a pipe…

TWELVE children living on Cape Town’s streets have been removed in the latest operation by the Department of Social Development (DSD), law enforcement, and the Sea Point City Improvement District (CID). Most are new cases, though a few have previously been assisted. Ward councillor Nicola Jowell said the children are now in the care of a social worker, who has interviewed them, contacted families, and is trying to place them in safe environments. “If a child cannot be placed with family, the social worker must approach the magistrate and start a court process,” she explained. “Let’s hope these 12 children are on the path to a more hopeful future.” Street children in Cape Town have long been a concern. Activists estimate around 800 children roam the city, while the 2022…

Fresh off a bruising battle in Paris, the Springboks are battered but unbowed — and already turning their focus to the next challenge: Italy in Turin on Saturday. With sore bodies across the squad and lock Lood de Jager’s disciplinary hearing hanging in the balance, head coach Rassie Erasmus is holding off on naming his match-day 23 as the world champions prepare to do the Italian job. Following their gutsy win over France — with just 14 men for the entire second half after the red card to De Jager — the Boks are intent on keeping their momentum rolling while managing workloads ahead of a blockbuster clash with Ireland in two weeks. While the team should feature some mainstay faces, the expectation is that Erasmus will freshen up the…

After the weekend’s Carling Knockout Cup semi-finals, there were gracious losers, while others were less so. And some relied on gamesmanship — like time-wasting — to run the clock down and protect their leads. Here are the key talking points: Pirates were time-wasters Richards Bay head coach Ronnie Gabriel expressed immense pride in his team’s performance against Orlando Pirates on Saturday. Gabriel highlighted the pressure his side exerted throughout the game, particularly in the second half, when it became evident Pirates were under strain. “We put them under serious pressure,” Gabriel noted, reflecting on the relentless pursuit that seemed to unsettle the Pirates’ strategy. He added that Pirates resorted to time-wasting tactics, with their goalkeeper even receiving a yellow card for deliberately delaying play. “Instances like these show that we…

So, you’re finally flying solo. Whether you’re buying a car, moving into your own apartment, or starting that dream job, welcome to the world of doing your own laundry, debit orders, and… Insurance. Insurance isn’t just for ‘old people’. If you own anything of value – a car, a laptop, that all-important washing machine – and you wouldn’t be able to replace it tomorrow if disaster struck, then you need to cover it. It’s not about expecting bad things to happen. It’s about being ready when they do. Here is the insurance you need (and why): Car insurance: you need to protect your car and yourself, and there are many options to choose from. At the top end of the scale, comprehensive cover protects you against theft, hijacking, accidents, hail,…

CRIME fighters and civic organisations are calling for a ceasefire to gang violence and the deployment of the SANDF, following sporadic shootings which have seen more than 16 people killed since the weekend. The latest incident took place in Manenberg yesterday in Cyclone Road where three people were shot, one of whom died at the scene. Police spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk explained: “A 35-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded and two others aged 39 and 53 injured. The 35-year-old victim was declared deceased on the scene. The injured victims were taken to a nearby emergency centre for treatment.” Van Wyk said the trio were approached by three unidentified males who entered the house and randomly started shooting at the victims who were sitting in the bedroom. “The three…

INFLUENCER and former girlfriend of TV presenter Katlego Maboe, Monique Muller, arrested for illegal possession of a firearm linked to gang activity, has been granted bail, as evident from her recently active Instagram and TikTok accounts. Muller was granted bail just over a week ago after making appearances at the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court. Muller was arrested alongside five others, including four males and a woman in October. It’s alleged that Muller and the group were arrested by police inside a vehicle. It is also understood that a separate case is ongoing at the Bellville Magistrates’ Court involving some of the male suspects. Muller took to her social media account late last week, to share the following quote, breaking her silence: “When God chooses a woman for a purpose, He…

The Association for the Protection of Road Accident Victims (APRAV) is calling on the Minister of Transport to take immediate corrective action following mounting evidence that a deliberate five-point plan was implemented inside the Road Accident Fund to misrepresent its financial health and obstruct legitimate claims. According to APRAV deputy chairperson, Ngoako Mohlaloga, the strategy created “an optical illusion of solvency while hollowing out the Fund from within”. The result, he says, is a system that has “left victims and taxpayers at a loss, while money was channelled through tenders and contracts that did nothing to improve the Fund’s ability to deliver justice”. APRAV’s findings – supported by affidavit evidence from former RAF actuarial manager Itayi Charakupa – point to five co-ordinated measures that dismantled the Fund’s operational and financial…

In recognition of Men’s Health Month in November, the Dr Randall Ortel Foundation will host the inaugural Dr Randall Ortel Men’s Health Club Open Day, which will focus on creating a space where men can talk and engage about their well-being. Dr Ortel made headlines a few years ago after sharing his journey of courage and determination, growing up in the streets of Manenberg and moonlighting as a taxi driver to pay for his university education. Ortel refused to become another statistic and graduated with his Master’s degree in medicine. He has gone on to continue to improve himself academically. Now, Ortel is ploughing back into communities on the Cape Flats, such as in Mitchells Plain, where he is expected to host the open day for men on November 22…

“Good luck preparing things that turn from day one.” This is former Proteas’ left-arm spinner Paul Harris’ message to the BCCI and Team India ahead of the two-Test series starting at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Saturday. Harris, never far from a frank discussion, believes the visitors are more than equipped to match India in the spin department, if the hosts are to serve up Bunsen burners that spit and turn from the opening day as they have done on recent visits by the Proteas to the subcontinent. This was not without due cause though, after the Proteas, particularly under former coach Ottis Gibson and captain Faf du Plessis, produced spiteful pitches in South Africa that seamed and bounced uncontrollably when India visited these shores. Harris feels that the eye-for-an-eye period…