City Vision E-edition 21 May 2026

TheKhayelitshaBusinessForum (KBF) has takenaswipe at the CityofCape Town for allegedlyevicting businessesoperating at the Lookout HillTourism CentreinIlitha Park without priornotice. Read moreonpage4

IPIDprobescelldeath

UNATHI OBOSE

unathi.obose@novusmedia.co.za

Members of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) are investigating amurdercase after a39-year-old woman,Nonkululeko Fente, died whileinpolice custodyatthe Lingelethu WestPolice Station. Fente, who was reportedly four months

pregnant, wasdetained on Thursday 30 April during adrugraidinher tavern atthe Level Twoinformal settlement, Khayelitsha. She wasallegedly takento the police station after confessing to selling drugs.

Mandla Bawuti,who wasarrested with Fente, claimedofficers arrived at the establishment around 19:30 and demanded drugs He accused the officers of being violent during the search. “We were sitting in the

tavern when the officers arrived. There were three of us there. They came in and demandeddrugs,” Bawuti claimed. “They searchedusand tookmyphone andR50. They also searchedFente andtookanundisclosed amount of money andher phone Theofficers didnot search the third person.”

He added the officers then handcuffed them According to Bawuti, the officersasked Fente to unlockher phone,which shedid,

allowing themtoviewchats andphotos. He said shelateradmittedshe was selling drugs butthatthey were notinthe house “Theytookmeinto aroom andtortured me.AtthattimeFente admittedshe was selling drugsbecause the officershad seen some of the conversationsonher phone Evenwhenshe said shewanted to take themtothe housewhere shegot the drugs the officersignoredher,”heclaimed.

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Young refereechasing WorldCup

UNATHIOBOSE

Atonly 16 years old AsithandileYeko is makinganame for himselfon the soccer fields acrossCapeTown throughhis uncompromising stance on the games.

And withthe FIFA World Cup, inMexico, Canada and the UnitedStates of America (USA)inless than amonth away, he hopes represent South Africa at this global show piece in the coming years, joining the likes of Andile Ncobo as well as Abongile Tom and Zakhele Siwela, who areamong the match officialsfor this year’stournament. Ncobo represented South Africa in the 2000 FIFAWorldCup.

Yekofrom LR informal settlement, in Site B, is currently the youngest referee in Cape Town andhas taken charge of some of thebiggest amateur footballgames in the province, including theplay-offsfor the prestigious BayhillPremier Cupearly thisyear.

While the majority of his peersare chasingdreamstobethe next biggest soccer stars, thesoft-spoken matchofficialand Grade10learner from Qhayiya Secondary School explained to City Vision how his passion changed from playing soccer to officiating matches.

Yeko said he started officiating by chance but later developed adeeplovefor the game. He saidone dayhewenttoKhayelitsha Stadium as usualtoplay football and unexpectedly found himself officiatinga match.

“The whole thing started in2022. We went to the stadiumtoplay. When we arrived there, we found that there was no referee to officiate the game that was supposed to be played. Iwas asked by the team owners to officiatethe u-17 game,whichIdid.Tomy surprise, after the match the referee conve-

nor in Khayelitsha, Ben Mdzanga,cameto me andasked for my name and surname and wrote them down. He told me that I wouldbecomea referee in the Khayelitsha Local Football Association (LFA),” explainedYeko, adding that in the following matchbecameanassistant referee.

Aweek later, he said he wasasked to officiate oneofthe senior games,which he handledsuccessfully.Since then, he has neverlooked back.

“Inmyfirst match Iwas very nervous, thinking thatthe players would take advantage ofmebecause they were older thanme. At times Iwas sceptical about penalisingplayers,I believed they would intimidate me.But all the playerswere disciplined.They listened to me.After the gamesomeofthem came to shake my hand and motivated me to continuerefereeing,”

he said.

In 2024, he joined the Lingelethu LFA, mainly officiating senior games

However, his stay was short-lived as he moved to the Athlone District LFAinMay last year.“While Iwas under Lingelethu LFAin2023, Icompleted aLevel 1refereeing course (coursefor officials at LFA level)atNtlanganiso High School where Iobtained acertificate. My dreamisnot only to officiate in the Betway Premiership butalsoatthe FIFAWorld Cup oneday.I am aregistered referee, but Istillhaveto complete more courses until IreachLevel 5, whichisthe highest level,” said Yeko. He described one of the top officials in the Betway Premiership, Abongile Tom,asone ofhis role models. He said every weekend he is in Athlonedoing whathelovesmost.

“Within the short space of time in my career,I have officiated at tournaments such asthe Denis Goldberg Cup in 2024 and2025 at TurfhallSports Complex in Athlone, the Engen Cup play-offs in 2025 at Turf-

hall SportsComplex in Athlone, andthe Bay Hill Premier Cup play-offs in 2026 at William Herbert Sports Ground in Wynberg,” he said.

Theyoung soccer official described calm andfirmness as someofthe required characteristics to successfully handle any match. He said refereeing requires aperson with abig heart who is noteasilyshaken.

Yeko thankedhis parents andfamilyfor the support theycontinuetogive him.

“I will always cherishthe good daysI spentunder Khayelitsha andLingelethu LFAs.Ibelieve thatwithoutthemI would notbewhere Iamtoday. To all the young people outthere,theymustfocus on doing the rightthings. They must notbedistracted or influenced by negative things,”he concluded.

Khayelitsha teen missingatsea

UNATHIOBOSE

A17-year-old boy from Khayelitsha is still missing at sea after reportedly drowningatMonwabisi Beachduring achurch outing on Saturday16May

According to reports, theteenand some of hisfriends went for aswimduring the outing and beganexperiencing difficulty. While some of the boyswere successfully rescued, the boy could notbesaved and effortstodiscover his body wereinvain Provincial police spokesperson Capt FC van Wyk confirmedthe incident, stating thatatapproximately 12:30, the Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) were requested by Harare policeofficers to assist in the search for the missing teenager “A vessel search was conducted and despite an extensive sea and shoreline search

therewere no signs of the missing teenager. Due to roughsea conditions, diving operations couldnot be carried out. The City of Cape Town Fire andRescue Servicesand the NSRI (NationalSea Rescue Institute)alsoparticipated in the search

The operationcontinued until 15:00,”said VanWyk.Headded thata missing person report has sincebeen opened.

Funeka Soldaat, the Khayelitsha SubDistrict coordinator on gender-based violence,described the incident as shocking

“Itisallegedthat they were agroup of church members from Ndlovini in Khayelitsha. Some were swimming while others were playing footballonthe shore.

Agroup of boys went swimming.One of the boys allegedly drowned, whilethe others were rescued by lifesavers,” said Soldaat

Shecriticised the church members for

LookoutHillinevictiondebacle

UNATHIOBOSE

Members of the Khayelitsha Business Forum (KBF) have lambasted the City of Cape Town, accusingthe municipalityof evicting businesspeople operating at the Lookout Hill Tourism CentreinIlitha Park,Khayelitsha without notice.

According to KBF, More than 20 business owners vacated the centreearly in Marchand mosthad to close as they had nowhere else to go.

KBF deputy secretary PatrickLugogwana saidthe situation had negatively affected many of the owners, as they arebreadwinnersfor their families.

“Some of the tour guide operatorswho wereworking at the centrewere barred from enteringbysecurity personnel.We viewed that as illegal and as away of excludinglocalbusinessowners from participating in our local economy,”said Lugogwana

He described LookoutHillasatourism centre whereall the businesses operating there weretourism oriented

Lugogwanalabelled the City’s decision as inhumane.

“The City failed to show ubuntutothe people who were working atLookoutHill. Some of them were operating there for more than five years. Theyevictedthem

withoutproviding an alternative option.

The owners are unabletoservice or reach theirclients,” he said.

In astatementreleased by the City’s Economic Growth Directorate, the municipality refuted the claims, saying no evictionhad taken placeatthe Lookout Hill.

“TheCityhas neither issued eviction notices nor evicted any businesses from LookoutHill,” the statement read.

“The former lessee had been accommodating several localsmall businesses within theleased premises at Lookout Hill. However, the former lessee elected to terminate the lease agreementand has since vacated the site. Despite the former lessee’s efforts to secure affordableand suitable alternative accommodation forthe businesses, they were unsuccessful.”

In2025, the lessee gave notice to the City and formally exited the premises this year.

“Duringthis time, existing businesses accommodated by the previous lessee were also consulted and informed thatthe accommodation arrangementwouldcometo an end.Theyleft the premises under the instruction of the previous lessee. Some historicaltraders currently remain at the facility,” the statement said.

Maintenance work is underway at the facility, anditisanticipatedthatitwillbe completed on Tuesday 30 June.

negligence, saying there appearedtohave been alack of supervision.

“Churches need to be regulated so that there canbepropercontrol andsupervision. We areappealing to law enforcement

agenciestoconduct athorough investigation into the incident,”she said PolicediversfromWPDS continuewith ongoing search efforts for the missing teenager

Longdistancetravellerstofeel thepinchastaxifaresincrease

UNATHIOBOSE

Aminimum of R150, this is what longdistance travellers willbepayingextra starting today(21 May).

This wasannouncedbythe South AfricanNationalTaxiCouncil (Santaco) in the provinceonThursday last week (14May).

Theincrease comes as motorists continue to face challenging fuel hikes fuelledby warbetween Iran and the UnitedStates of America (USA).

Since the start of the war, fuel prices have increasedbybetween R6 andnearly R13 per litre.

While long-distance increases arecoming into effect today, localfares increasedby R2 on Monday 18 May.

Santaco Western Cape spokesperson MakhosandileTumana, whoisalsoa spokespersonfor Cape Organisation of Democratic Taxi Associations(Codeta), said fares from Khayelitsha to destinations outside willincrease by R2, while local taxi fares within Khayelitsha will remain unchanged

“The increase in petrol prices during the first week of May hashit taxi owners hard.Weare struggling to pay instalments

increase fares.However, taxis operating withinKhayelitshawillremain at R17. Only routestravellingoutside the area are affected,” said Tumana

He added thatlong-distance taxi fares have alsobeenaffected, with prices varyingdependingonthe day of travel.

“A single trip to the Eastern Capehas increasedfromR1000 to R1 150. Aspecial tripdeparting on Thursday was R1 250 and is nowR1400, while aFridayspecial trip hasincreasedfromR1200 to R1 350,” he said Tumana alsonoted thata single trip from Saldanha to the Eastern Capehas increasedfromR1000 to R1 200. AThursday special triphas risenfromR1350 to R1 500, while Friday fares have gone up from R1 300 to R1 450.

He said the newlong-distance fares are expected to take effectonThursday, 21 May. Tumana furtherstated thatfareincreasesimplemented by Codeta maydiffer from those of the CapeAmalgamatedTaxi Association (Cata).

Attempts to obtain comment from Nkululeko Sityebi, spokesperson for the CapeAlmagamated Taxi Association, were unsuccessful. He indicated thathewas unable to

Lookafter,andcheckyourhearing

South Africans of all ages can experience hearing loss, and the early signs are often so subtle that people may not recognise the gradual deterioration, which can have profound consequences if left untreated.

Mikela van Kerkhof, an audiologist practising at Netcare Mulbarton Hospital, says commonearly signsofhearing loss include having difficulty hearing in noisy environments, in group conversations, or over the phone.

“Another common symptom of hearing loss is aringing or buzzinginthe ears, and certain frequencies of sound might be

harder to hear. Often, friends and family will pick up thattheir loved onefrequently mishears or asks themtorepeat themselves,” she says.

Although most hearing loss is gradual,Van Kerkhof warns that sudden loss of hearing should always be considered amedical emergency, requiring immediate assessment. She says the quality of someone’s auditory perception hasfar-reaching implications fortheir physical health, as well astheir ability to communicate, interact socially and make sense of theenvironment around them

VanKerkhof warns thatunde-

tected or untreatedhearing loss can increase aperson’soverall health risk, with clear links to accelerating cognitive decline.

“Cognitive function suffers as the brain deteriorates from alack of auditory input, and social well-beingisaffected as people withdraw from situations becauseoftheir communication difficulties, leadingtoloneliness, anxiety, anddepression.”

Shesays hearing loss presents differently in youngeradults and older people,with progression and theaffected frequencies beingkey distinctions between the age groups in mostcases.

Van Kerkhof points out that it is very common for loved ones to be reluctant to acknowledge or addresstheir hearing difficulties.

There have been significant advances in hearing aids and assistive technology, including the useofartificial intelligence (AI), enhanced wireless connectivity, and the incorporation of health and wellness monitoring features, whichare continuously improvingthe options available to those experiencing hearing loss.

For noise exposure, “too loud” is generally considered to be anythingatorabove 85 decibels (dB) for aprolonged period or with

repeated exposure, comparable to the noise of heavy traffic or a loud vacuum cleaner.

Van Kerkhof recommends the following tips for younger people to protect theirhearing:

. Listen at no more than 60% of the maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes at atime.

. Use noise-cancelling headphones to avoid turning up the volume in noisy environments.

. Take regular breaks from using headphones.

. When possible, use over-ear headphones rather than earbuds, as they generally deliver sound more safely.

As RedCross WarMemorial

Children’sHospital celebrates 70 yearsofcaringfor children, doctors areraising concerns over the persistently high number of severe childhoodburn injuries treatedannually, most of whichare entirely preventable

The specialist children’s hospital, which opened in 1956, remains the only dedicated paediatric hospital in the province and continues to treat hundreds of burn cases yearly. Most cases involve children younger than five and occur inside the home.

Dr Tomé Mendes, Head of the Burns, said burn injuries remained one of the most serious forms of preventable trauma treated at the hospital.

Youngchildrenmostvulnerable

“Burn injuries remain one of themost common and devastatingforms of preventable trauma we see in young children,” he said.

Mendes said children are particularly vulnerable because theirskinisthinner and more sensitive to heat, meaning even brief exposure can cause serious injury.

Dr Destiny Links plastic surgeon at the hospital, said thehospital regularly treated severeburns linked to everyday household routines.

“One of the most common and preventable scenarios we see involves bath basins. Parents mayfill abasin with hot water first and step away briefly to fetch cold water. In that short time atoddler can climb into thebasin. These basins are often placed on the floor and theresulting injuries can be catastrophic,” Links warned.

According to doctors, most paediatric burns occur in kitchens,bathrooms and living areas.

Common dangers include:

. Boiling water and kettles;

. Pots on stoves and open flames;

. Paraffin stoves;

. Electrical appliances.

The hospital is urging parents and caregivers to take basic precautions at home, including: Keeping hot liquids and cords out of children’s reach; turningpot handles inward while cooking; never leaving children unattended near hot water or cooking areas.

Links stressed that preparing bath water safely is particularly important. “Prepare baths by adding cold water first, then

hot water, and always testthe temperature before placing a child intothe bath,” she said.

Doctors also highlighted the importance of proper first aid when burns occur.

“The burnt area should be placed under cool running water for afull 20 minutes,” Links said. “Proper cooling helps stop the burnfrom progressing deeper intothe skin and can significantly reduce long-term damage.” Mendes said early treatment can make asignificant difference to recovery outcomes. Appropriate first aid, administered as early as possible, has the potential to reduce the severityofaburn injury and the time it takes to heal,”hesaid.

Recoverygoesbeyondphysical wounds

Beyond emergency treatment, the hospital’sburns service also provides reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation and psychosocial support for children and families coping with longterm recovery.

“Burn injuries don’t end when the wounds heal,”Links said. “Supporting achild’s emotional, psychological and social well-being is just as important as treating the physical injury.”

Oneformer patient now giving back to the hospital is William Baartman, who was severely burnt as achild in 1977 and treated at the hospital. He now volunteers in itsBurns Unit, supporting children and families facing similar experiences.

Doctors are calling on communities to prioritise burn prevention and child safety at home. “Protecting children begins at home,” Links said. “Withstronger prevention, correct first aid and early medical care, we can reduce the number of children who need our burns service, and that is always our goal.”