City Vision-e-edition 28 August 2025

Sti

Come 2026, we will hear the very same or rehashed statements

Women of South Africa, the ball is in your court.

As the women of 1956 dared the apartheid government for a just society, you have the same obligation to challenge the status quo. I am not a prophet of doom, but many women have died and will continue to die at the hands of men. Are we now going to fold our hands and wait for Women’s Month next year to express our dissatisfaction about the abuse of women and children?

This year marks six years since the brutal killing of Uyinene Mrwetyana and we’ve seen marches in commemoration of her life. Has that changed anything in protecting and promoting the rights of women? I am afraid not. Many young and promising children will continue to perish at the hands of men despite these marches. Women must unite and demand tangible actions from the authorities, not only in August but until solutions are found They must show the same activism and resilience displayed by their 1956 counterparts Would be offenders and perpetrators of violence against women and children must think long and hard before they act. They must understand that our laws bite. The sting we witnessed in the recent Philippi incident must be seen and felt by all

nalism awards

Executive Director: Business Development and Financial Services. “This year marks the fourth AVBOB FCJ Excellence Awards where we acknowledge and celebrate outstanding work. We’re proud of the journey we have travelled together To us, investing in journalism is to invest in collective memory, in accountability, and in the dignity of our people ”

The FCJ also hosted its national seminar prior to the gala dinner and for the first time had a panel discussion talking about journalism and AI The discussion was led by Ivor Price with panellists Phathiswa Magopeni, Alet Law and Sisanda Nkoala Adam Oxford spoke about data journalism.

The Novus Media team at this year’s annual Avbob Forum of Community Journalist (FCJ) awards at the Protea Hotel in Stellenbosch on Friday 22 August

PHOTO: MABORE SEFARA

Suspected hijackers caught

A swift reaction by the Lwandle police officers on Tuesday 26 August yielded good results when two suspects were arrested with a hijacked e- hail vehicle

The female driver was dropping a client at Nombula Street at about 20:05 when she was approached by three unknown male suspects and pointed at her with firearms. They then ordered her to get out of the car before they drove away with it, leaving her stranded.

On alerting the officers, they immediately began searching for the car and spotted it at Ntanga Street with two suspects who immediately ran away after noticing the officers. The officers chased them and arrested them. One suspect was allegedly arrested with eleven live ammunition rounds in his possession. They also found a prohibited Uzzi firearm next to a vehicle The two arrested suspects, age 28 and 37 are due to appear in the Strand Magistrates’ Court once they are formally charged.

Four taxi drivers gunned down

UNATHIOBOSE

The taxi industry is reeling following the shooting and killing of four taxi drivers in two separate incidents in Khayelitsha and Philippi. Five others and a passenger were injured.

The first incident occurred on Saturday 23 August at Somerset Taxi Rank in Makhaza where a taxi driver was gunned down by unknown people The other two incidents occurred on Monday 25 August. The first incident occurred at about 05:40 at Vuyani Taxi Rank at the corner of Japhta K. Masemola and Spine roads. The next incident occurred at 07:30 at a taxi rank on Ngqwanga Street where two drivers were gunned down and four other people, including a passenger, were injured.

Lt Col Malcolm Pojie, the provincial police spokesperson, confirmed the incident. He said the detectives from the provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Taxi unit are probing the circumstances surrounding

two separate shooting incidents which claimed the lives of three adults and injured six men In a separate incident that occurred on Saturday 23 August, provincial police spokesperson Capt FC van Wyk said Makhaza police registered a murder case following a shooting incident at 06:30 at Somerset taxi rank in Makhaza where an adult male was shot and fatally wounded

“According to reports, the officers received a complaint about a shooting incident at the mentioned address. Upon arrival they found the body of the victim with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest laying on his back halfway out the door of the taxi. The adult male was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel,” said Van Wyk, adding the motive is believed to be taxi related. He said the circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and no arrests have been made.

Pojie said the information reveals that on Monday 25 August at about 07:30 un-

known armed men opened fire and shot six adults between the ages 35 and 43 of which one succumbed to gunshot wounds on the scene and another was declared deceased at the hospital.

“Four injured men were transported to a medical facility of which three taxi drivers were in a critical condition and a passenger in a stable condition The incident happened at a taxi rank in Ngqwangi Drive, Philippi East,” said Pojie.

He stated that Philippi-East Police Station opened two counts of murder and four of attempted murder. He stressed that the shooting incident followed another incident earlier on Monday 25 August at about 05:40 on the corner of Japhtha K Masemola Drive and Spine Road in Khayelitsha.

“Preliminary information suggests that two armed men approached the Vuyani taxi rank where they opened fire, killed a taxi driver, and wounded two other drivers who were transported to a medical facility for treatment. Khayelitsha Police Station

registered one count of murder and two of attempted murder,” he said Pojie emphasised that the motives for these attacks are believed to be taxi conflict-related.

A community leader in Philippi-East, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the incident as terrible He said they are concerned about the well-being of the commuters “It’s sad because these taxi wars end up affecting the passengers We are appealing to the taxi owners to sit down and resolve their differences before things get worse,” he said

A South African National Civics Organisation (Sanco) leader in Khayelitsha who also spoke on condition of anonymity urged the taxi owners to resolve their differences.

“We know that once the taxi operators start fighting everything stops. I’m worried that whatever they are doing will affect us. We are appealing to the government to intervene and stop it,” he said

KDFwelcomestransportinterchange

UNATHIOBOSE

Aleader of the Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF) welcomed the construction of the transport interchange near the Chris Hani railway station in Nkanini.

Contractors are currently levelling the ground to kickstart the process.

KDF secretary Veza Nethi says the construction of the interchange has been long overdue He adds that Khayelitsha is expanding daily fuelling the need for a more reliable public transport.

“The construction of the transport interchange will make it easy for the commuters residing in Makhaza and Nkanini Most of them have to take connecting taxis from Nkanini to the Site C taxi rank before they take another taxi to their destinations. “It is going to develop our infrastructure and make it easy for our motorists,” says Nethi.

He explains that their mandate as the KDF is to monitor the project and ensure everything goes smoothly.

Nethi says KDF endorses everything that brings change to Khayelitsha.

“We believe our local business people will benefit in the construction of the interchange. We will ensure that they are prioritised,” saysNethi Ward 98 councillor Andile Tetani says the project started in May and is expected to be

completed in 2028. He says the interchange will be built in phases. “We are busy with the first phase where we are levelling the ground and then will put underground infrastructure. Then build up the structures.

“This is going to be a drop off There will

be shelters for informal traders as well and a few offices,” explained Tetani, adding that the interchange will accommodate Taxis, buses (Golden Arrow and My Citi) He said the objective is to make Khayelitsha a business hub.

Boko Haram gang wreaking havoc in New Crossroads and KTC

UNATHIOBOSE

Boko Haram is a name synonymous with wanton terror and unbridled fear in Nigeria. It has been adopted by a local gang that is living up to everything it represents,

causing local communities to live in sheer torment

The group initially operated in New Crossroads and has now reared its ugly head in KTC. A community leader, who spoke on con-

dition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said there are signs the group has strongly infiltrated KTC. He said crime in the area was out of control. This past Saturday (23 August) the group announced its arrival in the area by writing its name on Mjodo Street, fuelling

over a year now. Rumours are circulating that if someone removes the writing gang members kill the entire family. All the marked homes are under their control,” he explained. He said they have spoken to the police about the challenge and urged the govern-

Dial-a-Ride restriction protested

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Agroup of people from various disability organisations gathered outside the Cape Town Civic Centre on Monday 25 August calling on the City to reconsider its decision to severely limit its Dial-a-Ride services.

From Monday 8 September, the service will only be available to eligible wheelchair users and people with severe walking impairments

Armed with placards and chanting, “We want Dial-a-Ride” the group made sure their demands were heard with passing cars hooting in support of the group’s course

They handed over a memorandum of demands to Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility

According to the City, the decision comes as a result of budget constraints However, protesters say the move discriminates against persons with disabilities

In a recent press statement, the City said it can no longer “sustain an ever-expanding demand”

According to the City, the current average cost per trip is R737, with a cost recovery of only 3%

It said each user contributes around R22 per trip, while the City contributes approximately R515 and the Western Cape Government R200.

“To put this in perspective, transporting a single user who travels 21 days a month amounts to roughly R31 000 per month, or R371 000 per year,” read the statement.

A protester, who doesn’t wish to be names said: “Dial-a-Ride stood as a beacon of hope, a dependable service that said ‘You matter and you belong’ but come September the city will cast those words aside and dismiss thousands of disable people as invisible

“If you aren’t fortunate enough to hold a job, you don’t exist. At the same time the city is investing billions in transport but not for us.”

Marlene le Roux, co-founder of the Women’s Achievement Network for Disability and chief executive officer of the Artscape Theatre, said: “We need to be taken serious as persons with disabilities we can’t just have policies that’s not been implemented. We need to be treated with dignity. Money should be made available for accessible transport. Accessible transport is not just about accessible buses.”

Quintas said he understands the frustration and said they will review the demands made in the memorandum

Scorescryfoul overservices

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

“I cannot travel by public transport. I am visually impaired so I cannot see which bus I am getting into.”

This is the plight of Cheryl Halford, a visually impaired woman, who will now have to find alternative methods to travel around following the City of Cape Town’s announcement of significant changes to its Dial-a-Ride (DaR) service from next month.

Dial-a-Ride is a dedicated kerb-to-kerb service for people with disabilities who are unable to access mainstream public transport services.

But from Monday 8 September the service will only be available to eligible wheelchair users and people with severe walking impairments

The City said in a press statement the limited services are due to budget constraints It said the DaR service is experiencing “severe capacity challenges” where the demand exceeds the available resources

According to the City, the current budget deficit amounts to nearly R1 million a month and the operational costs will continue to increase

“The annual budget for the service is R28,2 million, while the annual operating costs amount to R40 million currently. The service needs to be curtailed to operate within the available budget,” read the statement.

But for Halford, executive council member for non-profit organisation (NPO) Disabled People of South Africa (DPSA), this announcement is like a prison sentence

“I am a regular user of Dial-a-Ride. It is bad I am working in the community. I cannot do what I am supposed to do without this service. It cuts me off from getting around, collecting my Sassa grant. It feels like I am in prison right now.”

The Western Cape Network on Disability has launched a petition.

Judith Coetzee, chief executive officer for Cape Town Society for the Blind (CTSB), says this move will have “devastating consequences” for their beneficiaries

“Many rely on this service as their only means of getting to work, training, and essential appointments. Excluding blind people from public transport is discriminatory, and it undermines decades of progress towards inclusion, equality, and independence for persons with disabilities.”

Praise and worship in the city

City Praise is returning to the iconic City Hall on Saturday 30 August at 19:00 and Sunday 31 August at 15:00.

Origin South Africa will be hosting this evening of worship featuring their band, orchestra, two choirs and guest soloist Jen Lee, who is a songwriter, recording artist and music producer from the northern suburbs of Cape Town, and Kirk Kirkland, a published songwriter and in-demand studio singer from Nashville Tennessee.

The Cape Town Gospel Choir was founded in 2010 and since then has performed all over Cape Town, from Guguletu to Constantia and Durbanville.

They have performed with Rouchelle Liedemann, Neville D and many others, and

groups such as the Tygerberg City Choir, Joyful Harmonies, the Guguletu Tenors, and the Cape Town Philharmonic.

Joining them will be the Sweet Valley Singers, a dynamic junior school vocal group made up of learners from Grade 3 to Grade 7.

Formed in 2022 with a small group of the school's top singers, the ensemble has grown into a vibrant choir of around 40 members. Under the baton of Colin Peckham there will be an opportunity to join the choirs in some of the best contemporary worship songs along with some traditional favourites.

Visit www.originsa.org for details. Tickets start from R195 at Quicket.

Guest soloist Jen Lee

IMPORTANT NOTICE

FORM 3A - NOTICE OF APPLICATIONS FOR LIQUOR LICENCES IN TERMS OF SECTION 37(1) OF THE WESTERN CAPE LIQUOR ACT,2008 – [REG 10(1)]

Notice is hereby given that the following applications for liquor licences have been lodged with the Western Cape Liquor Authority (the Authority) and with the designated liquor officers at the indicated South African Police Service offices The applications concerned may, up to and including the 28th day from the date of publication of the application upon request and free of charge be inspected by any person at the offices of the Authority or the designated liquor officer listedhereunder Copies of an application can be obtained from the Authority after payment of the prescribed fee Objections and representations must be lodged in writing with the Authority and the designated liquor officer in accordance with section 39 of the Act

VORM 3A - KENNISGEWING VAN AANSOEKE OM DRANKLISENSIES INGEVOLGE ARTIKEL 37(1) VAN DIE WES-KAAPSE DRANKWET,2008 – [REG 10(1)]

Hiermee word kennis gegee dat die volgende aansoeke om dranklisensies ingedien is by die Wes-Kaapse Drankowerheid (die Owerheid) en] by die aangewese drankbeamptes by die aangeduide Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiedienskantore Die betrokke aansoeke kan tot en met die 28ste dag vanaf die datum van publikasie van die aansoek, op versoek en gratis deur enige persoon besigtig word by die kantore van die Owerheid of die aangewese drankbeampte hieronder gelys Afskrifte van ’n aansoek kan by die Owerheid verkry word na betaling van die voorgeskrewe fooi Besware en vertoë moet ooreenkomstig artikel 39 van die Wet skriftelik by die Owerheid en die aangewese drankbeampte ingedien word

IFOMU 3A - ISAZISO SOKUFAKWA KWESICELO SEPHEPHA MVUME NGOKWECANDELO 37(1)

LOMTHETHO WOTYWALA WENTSHONA KOLONI KA-2008 – [UMGAQO 10(1)] Isaziso siyanikezelwa ukuba ezi zicelo zilandelayo zamaphepha mvume otywala zifakiwe kwabasemaGunyeni ezoTywala eNtshona Koloni (abasemaGunyeni) nakumagosa ajongene nemiba engotywala kwii-ofisi ezixeliweyo zeeNkonzo zamaPolisa aseMzantsi Afrika Izicelo ekubhekiselelwa kuzo zingakwazi kwiintsuku ezingamashumi amabini anesibhozo (28) ukususela ngomhla wokupapashwa kwesi sicelo xa eceliwe kwaye simahla ziye kuhlolwa nguye nawuphi umntu okwi-Ofisi esemaGunyeni okanye yegosa elijongene nemiba engotywala elixelwe apha ngezantsi Iikopi zesicelo zingafumaneka kwabasemaGunyeni emva kwentlawulo emiselweyo Uchaso neengxelo ezixhasayo ezibhaliweyo zingafakwa kwabasemaGunyeni nakwigosa elijongene nemiba engotywala ngokwecandelo 39 loMthetho

No Full name of applicant

Volle naam van aansoeker

Igama elipheleleyo lomfaki-sicelo

Name under which business will be conducted

Naam waaronder besigheid bedryf sal word Igama ishishini eza kushishina phantsi kwalo

Address of the proposed premises

Adres van die voorgenome perseel

Idilesi yesakhiwo

Kind of licence applied for Tipe lisensie waarom aansoek gedoen word Uhlobo lwephepha mvume olucelayo

South African Police Services designated liquor officer office where the application has been lodged Suid-Afrikaanse Polisiedienskantoor van die aangewese drankbeampte waar die aansoek ingedien is i-Ofisi yeGosa elijongene nemiba engotywala yeeNkonzo zamaPolisa eMzantsi Afrika apho isicelo sifakwe khona

Our Blitzbok star shines

When Ricardo Duarttee from Bellville, SA 7s player, affectionately known as Tricky Ricky, joined the Blitzboks in 2022 and made his debut in Dubai, he knew his touch rugby background had the biggest impact on his rugby career.

“If it wasn’t for touch rugby, I would never have developed the ability to take on the role of playmaker for the Springbok 7s team. I’ve been playing touch rugby since primary school - every day before school, during first and second break, and even barefoot in the street when friends came over. Even if you scraped the skin off your toes, you kept on playing,” he says.

When he was expelled from Paarl Gymnasium and Paarl Boy’s High schools, he was told by many that his rugby career was over.

“I joined Stellenberg High School in Bellville in 2015 and had no idea that it would be the place where my rugby would develop the most. I was unaware of the competitive touch rugby league in the northern and southern suburbs but Pierre Bosman from the Vikings touch rugby team, father of Christian and Eugene Bosman, Andries Carstens and Frankie van den Heever from the Warriors Sports Academy, brought a group of Stellenberg rugby boys together

“Angelo Davids from Klipheuwel, also a Blitzbok and WP and Stormers player, was one of my team mates and they entered us into the In2Touch Rugby League owned by Grahame Bobrow.

“Every Monday night after rugby practice we would rush off to our touch rugby games in Kuils River, Brackenfell or Kraaifontein Rugby Clubs, and on a Thursday night again after training with the school, we would rush to play at Central Park in Century City,” he says.

They enjoyed touchies so much that they entered the Hot Summer of Touch Rugby Tournament, played every December on beaches across the Western Cape from Camps Bay, Macassar, Strand, Kleinmond, Struisbaai, Stilbaai, Mossel Bay and

Hartenbos

Playing in those tournaments is where he realised he still had to learn about the game of one-touch.

“On those beaches I saw players like Damian Willemse, Tristan Leyds and many more challenging each other on the sand, all chasing the touch rugby crown to take back to their hometown at the end of December.

“In 2020, Craig Wesley Wood invited me to train with the Warriors of Christ, a professional touch team formed by players from Heidelberg, Macassar and Strand.

“During the Covid 19-lockdown we trained every Wednesday and Sunday on the beach for at least two hours. I was humbled every

single day by the talent around me Each session they would step and switch past me so many times that on my way home I had to sit and think about how they beat me and how I was going to stop that the next session. I trained with the Warriors for two years,” Duarttee says In 2022, he sold his car to pay for the Stellenbosch Academy of Sports Sevens programme and then realised how much those beach touch rugby sessions had given him a massive edge.

“My sidestepping was sharper, my passing more accurate and my decision-making quicker. Coach Philip Snyman noticed it and six months later, I was offered a contract to join the Springbok Sevens Acade-

my. Three months later, I got the opportunity to make my debut for the Blitzboks in Dubai.

“If anyone were to ask me whether I was nervous making my debut, I would say I played it with full confidence - because I knew touch rugby had given me the skills to beat defenders with my footwork, and the basic skills to carry me through even when I wasn’t sure what to do in the moment.

“I am going to be more involved in In2Touch tournaments and coaching clinics to plough back and interested parties can contact Grahame Bobrow on info@ touchrugby.co.za or on 082 492 3683,” he says.