People's Post False Bay E-edition 27 January 2026

Tuesday, 27 January2026

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at allthe shacksthat were destroyed inthe fire.

Relief po in

Much-needed relief hasbegun pouringinfor theaffectedfamiliesin Masiphumelelewhere 363homes were destroyed.

Disaster recovery operations areinfullswing following theblaze that ravagedthe area on Tuesday20January

That afternoon,at15:15,the City of Cape Town’s Fire andRescueService respondedto reportsofhomes andvegetationburning in the informal settlement

Accordingtothe City of Cape Town,several fire stations respondedtothe scenewith40 ground-crewmembers andthree helicopters foraerialsupport andthe fire wascontained at 19:30. So farthere are363 shacks that been damaged,the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRM)confirmed DRMare workingalongside theInformalSettlements Management Branch that hasbegun registeringeverybody affectedbythe blaze.

“We’ve also activatedthe solidwaste department to clearthe fire site so that rebuilding efforts canget underway

“Other relevant City services have been called in to checkfor damage to water, sanitation and electricityinfrastructure,”saidDRM spokesper-

sonCharlotte Powell.

Afterassessing the fire damage,the DRM’s infrastructure assessmentfound that waterand sanitation infrastructure (standpipes, toilets etc.)werestill intact

“There wasdamagetoelectricity infrastructure,inparticularoverheadcables; butthe area hasbeen made safe by technicians,”added Powell.

Theclearingof fire debris is beinghandled by solidwaste

at mobi seshundredso olunteersper year to servelocalsthrough responsive programmes in under-resourced, under-served communities Current estimatessuggest that thetotal number of displaced fire victimsis1124, said CandiceThomas, avolunteer with theorganisation

This includes 302young boys andgirls as well as 50 infants.

“There have been some amazingdonations, we aresoincrediblygrateful forthe response from thegreater community.Sofar therehave been up to 382householdsimpacted,”she said

Carnivalrestoresyouth’shope

THULANIMAGAZI

“I

wouldratherwalkthe streetsofCrossroads nakedthanseeing this groupdying down,” this is howLoyisoCasiwesummed up hisloveand passion for ImbumbaCross Dancers, oneofmanygroupsthatwill take part in this year’s Cape Town Carnival on Saturday 21 March.

Over 1500 performers will showcase theirtalentunder the theme“FollowYourHeART”on theGreen PointFan Walk in an explosionofcolourand entertainment during the16thedition of the carnival

Casiwe,one of theleaddancers at theannual carnival,endured many yearsofheartache and hatred before hiselevation to the topofthisyearlyspectacle.And he attributes hisresilienceand rise to hisformerteacher andmentor Nolufefe Racula

The22-year-old joined agroup of youngdancers whilehewas a learneratQingqaMntwana Primary School at OldCrossroads under theguidanceofRaculawho honed hisdance movesand skills

Littledid he know that this would draw theire of certaincommunity members.

“Peoplehated me andI waseven calleda ‘moffie’,” he tells People’s Post Thesedid notdeter hisfocus as he tirelesslystrived to be thebest at dancing.

Todayheisthe beacon of hope to many youngpeopleinhis community.“Noweveryoneloves me Most people want to be part of the group,”hesays, explaining that he workswith60young people between theagesof11and 18.The dancersare nowpreparing for this year’s festival on Saturday 21 March.

“Weencourage thechildren, especially theboys, to remain hum-

bleand be confident in themselves Forinstance, at my ageI stillwash dishes at home andmostofthem thinkI am lyingwhenI tell them that.Crime will always be there, butthere is certainlychangeinour community”explainsCasiwewho shares ahouse with hismother, grandmotherand five siblings “There is also unityamong allour membersand youcan seethatthey choosetheir friendscarefully.”

Despitehis resilience and fighting spirit,challenges remain Casiwe says whiletheir focusis always on theCapeTownCarnival, they also performatcommunity events.“Most of thechildrendo nothavemeans to buyclothes for ourperformancesand Ihaveto buyfor them from thelittlemoney Imakefrommypart-time jobs

“Lastyear, IboughtthemT-shirts to participateinlocal events,” he says,expressing gratitudetothe carnival organisers forsupporting thegroup annually to participatein theevent

“Theysupport us with theclothes andthatiswhere we gettosee people from othernations,” he explains butcalls for“supporters” to ensure thegroup continuesits work in society.

Explaining themotivebehindthe group, Racula tells People’s Post that shegrewupina family that lovedmusic.She also pays homage to hermotherwho instructed her to remain loyaltoall thechildren. “I lovedsinging from ayoung age andI wasinspiredbymymother whowas amusic conductor. Before shedied(in 2009), sheinstructed me to take care of thechildrenand help them in music,”she says Racula hasbeen part of theCape Town Carnival sinceinception and haswitnessedits evolutionover theyears.“Ioncedancedwith them,but my attire wasdifferent anda bitlonger,”she says Shepraises thegroup fortransformingchildreninCrossroads “I always availmyclass to the

Everystorybuildstheworldwewanttosee

lighter.

Hi partner. Breathewithme (inahale,hold, exhale).

Icallyou partnerbecause Ido notsee youasjusta reader,I see youassomeone walkingwithme, we’vedonesosuccessfully in the last year,wemight as well keep walking, walkingisanevent,and alleventshappenwitha reason, this walk,thoughunexplainable, hopefully leadsustogentlepaths When Iask youtobreathe with me, it is an invitation to pause, notto perform. Andright now, that pause feelsmoreimportant than ever

So heypartner .welcome to 2026 ,thisismy firstcolumnfor theyearand Ihopetoshare many “hey partner” momentswithyou When oftenasked whereI’m from Ialwaysjokinglysay I’ma citizenofthe worldand Decemberprovedjustthat, Ispent most of it on theroad, between cities, between communities Zwelethemba in Worcester, Mdantsanein East London,New Brighton in Port ElizabethlastlyKwaNokuthulain PlettenbergBay Theroads blurredunder the wheels, townsand townships passing like pagesina book Icould notput down.And as Itravelled, I realised that notevery storyhas a headline.Somejustmakethe heart

Inoticed somethingthatstayed with me.Inmanyhomes and streets, people wouldkeep quietat thefaceofinjustice or quietlyshare theirthoughts, theirfrustrations, theirhopes,but ofteninhushed tones.

They spokecarefully,sometimes as if testingwhether it wassafeto be heard. Ithenrealisedpeopleare notsilentbecause they do notcare. They areoften silent because, over generations, they have been taught that theirvoicesdonot matter. Taught to doubttheir worth, to normalisebeing ignored, to survive quietly. Butinsomespaces, I’ve seen somethingdifferent, somethingquietly revolutionary, people speaking up,insisting to be seen,to be heard, to matter.

In Zwelethemba, Imet agrandmother tendinga community garden.Her handsweredarkened by soil andsunlight, hervoice soft but firm.She told me shestarted thegardenfor thechildrenasa safe placetoplay, to learn, to feel proudoftheir surroundings.Itwas notonthe news.Itdid notgoviral Yetwatchingthe children harvest vegetables,their laughter spilling over thefencesand into thestreets, Ifeltthe powerofsmall victories. It is thekindofstory that reminds youthisiswhatmatters

In Mdantsane, Iobservedsomethingelse, aquiet revolution in the ordinary.A groupofneighbours haddecided to cleantheir streets

forChristmas,not becauseanyone askedthemto, notbecause it wouldberecognised, butbecause it matteredtothem, to theirchildren,totheir senseofdignity.One person picked up aplastic bottle, anotherswept thedust, afew planted flowersalong thekerb. By theend of theafternoon,a street that hadfeltforgottennow looked aliveagain.Care, it seems, is contagious.

Andthenthere wasNew Brighton. Here,I witnesseda younglady starta readingcircleinher back yard.Itbegan with threechildren anda fewbooks. It wasa beautiful sighttobeholdasthe children’s eyes lightupwithstories from distantworlds. Smallactslikea book,a smile, amomentofshared attentioncan ripplefurther than we imagine.

Even in PlettenbergBay,KwaNokuthula, Ifound moments that reminded me of resilience.A groupoflocal artistshad revitalised homesfor low-income residents. They were young, loud, andunapologetically joyful.With each brushstrokethe houses told newstories of hope,colour, and possibility December reminded me that thesemoments,quiet as they may be,are everywhere in gardens, streets, back yards, neighbourhoodsand kitchens.Theyare about connection, resilience,and humanity. They arevictories of everyday life.Theydonot make headlines.

They do not fill news reels. But they remind us that healingbegins when we speak, when we act, when we notice each other.

Your voicematters toowhether youliveinthe marginsorthe suburbs. Youdonot have to shout to be heard. If somethingfeelswrong in your community,knock on thedoor of amedia house. Asktospeak to ajournalist. Shareyourstory Becauseinjustice thrivesinsilence, andeverydayvictories thrive when they areacknowledged. Reflecting on 2025,I noticeda pattern;our worldmoves quickly. Ourfeedsscrollendlessly. We click, share, react, andmoveon. Butlifeisnot in thefast-forward. Life is in thepause.Inthe gentle moments, theordinaryactsof kindness, theconversations that aretenderand truthful.Before we chasethe new, let’slook back at what made us pause, smile, or rethink.

So,partner,I invite youto breathewithme. Notice thesmall victoriesaroundyou.Speak up when youmust. Celebratewhen youcan.Connect when it matters.And remember theseare the momentsthatshape us,the stories that matter, thevictories that do notalwaysmakeheadlines but lightour hearts nonetheless. Trusttoday.Walkgentlyknowing that everysmall act, everyshared story, everyvoice raised in care, builds theworld we want to see.

SPCArescuesfishfromslimypool

AInspectors found fishlivinginstagnant, green waterfilled with householdrefuseincluding plastic bags,skateboards, brooms, dustpans,and pots

PHOTO:SUPPLIED

Accordingtothe organisation,the rescue proved technically difficult duetothe water’s poor condition. Initialnetting attempts failed, andmechanicalproblemswithpumps caused

ng ng andtreatment in SPCA care.“TheSPCAwillnot hesitate to approach thecourtsand take decisive,lawful action to protectanimalwelfare,” warned thesociety

SKATEBOARDS,BROOMS, DUST PANS AND POTS

Suspected container theftatbeach foiled

KEANANHARMSE

Aswiftresponsebya City of Cape Town lawenforcement officerhalted apotential shipping container theftatMuizenbergMainBeach parking area on Thursday morning15January, leadingtothe arrest of asuspect wanted in connection with anothercase. The incident unfolded at 09:28whenthe alertofficernoticed suspicious activity involvinga rigging truckpositionednear oneofthe City’s hiredcontainersused as mobile officesduringthe summer season.

Theofficerbecameimmediatelycurious as the containerwas stillactivelyinuse,prompting himtoinvestigate andcallfor back-upassistance. Upon approachingthe scene, officers ob th th

CONTAINER USED AS OFFICE ALMOST STOLEN TO BE TAKENTODELFT

Both thedriverand anotherindividualidentified themselves as legitimate employees of the truckhirecompany andagreed to assist officers in tracking down thesuspects.

Thegroup locatedthe suspects at thecorner of Axminsterand Royalroads.One individual, whohad changedhis clothing by this time, wassubsequentlyarrested andtransported to Muizenberg Police Station.

Thesecondsuspect managedtoescapeafter getting into awaiting vehicle.

Furtherinvestigation by thepolicerevealed

CPUarrestsfour-‘prevents’ shootinginOvercomeHeights

Muizenberg CrimePreventionUnit(CPU) membersprevented apotential shootingincident andarrested four gang-affiliated suspects in Overcome HeightsonSunday18January, as part of awider WesternCapeoperation that nettedmultiple firearms

OVERCOMEHEIGHTSOPERATIONSUCCESS

Acting on credible intelligenceabout a gang groupplanning ashootinginOvercome Heights, CPUmembers movedswiftly to the provided addressonSunday18January.The operationprovedhighlysuccessful,withofficers discoveringthe four suspects in possession of twounlicensed firearms,33roundsofammunition anda bagofcocaine.All four were immediatelyarrested,effectively preventing the planned-shootingincident. They were expected to appear in Muizenberg Magistrates’ Court once charged.

ADDITIONALARRESTSACROSSCAPETOWN

Meanwhile, anti-gangunitmembers acted on informationabout aconcealed firearmata houseinRugby Street,BeaconValley. On theirarrivalofficers spotteda male suspect whoimmediately fled inside thehouse, promptinga chaseand thorough search of the premises

Officers discovered a.457-revolver with 17 rounds of ammunition hiddenunder clothesin awardrobe, resultinginthe suspect’sarrest He will appear in Mitchells PlainMagistrates’ Courtoncecharged

MANAGEMENTPLEASEDWITHRESULTS

Police management in theWestern Cape welcomed thearrests, highlighting theeffectiveness of intelligence-ledoperationsinpreventing violentcrime andremovingillegal firearms from communities.The coordinatedoperations demonstratelaw enforcement’scommitmentto disrupting gang activities across multiple areas.

Authoritiessearchforanswerstoendcrime

KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Gang violence on theCapeFlats continuesto wreakhavoc on communities,leaving atrail of blood in itswake.

PresidentCyril Ramaphosaannouncedover theweekendthatmorethan26peoplewere murdered in variousparts of thecity.

The figuresinclude eightpeopleshotdeadin ashebeen in an extortionrelated shootingin Marikana,Philippi on Saturday 17 January.

Thepresident condemnedthe violence on the Cape Flatsand said communities canexpect “strongerlaw enforcementand increasedpolice visibility”tostabilise affectedcommunities and reduce theriskfor more violence

People’s Post spoketoDrGuy Lamb,director of theConflictPeacebuilding andRiskUnitin theDepartmentofPolitical ScienceatStellenbosch University,togaininsight into the escalating violence

Lamb argues that socio-economic challenges, includingunemployment, poverty, andschool dropouts,leave youngmen susceptibletogang involvement.

“A lotofthe issues is aboutthe high levels of inequality,lackofmeaningful employment for youngmen in poorer areas, untilweare able to solvethatproblem andaddressthatinequality Idon’t thinkweare goingtodomuchonthe gang violence issue.”

Lamb says extortioneconomies,suchasthose linked to shebeens, significantly contribute to violence in communities

He believes theCovid-19lockdowntriggered a wave of extortionascriminals sought alternative ways to generate income

“Partofthe problemwithextortion at the moment is that there’slotsofdifferentplayers within thesector. Andtheycompete with each othertoextortmoney from businesses, early childhood developmentcentres,hawkers,trad-

erswithintownships andthe informal sector aretargeted.

Lamb adds that criminalsuse violence to intimidate victimsintopaying, whilealsodemonstrating that they aremorepowerfulthanrival extortiongroups.

“Violenceisa lotlower when thereisa dominantgroup that’s engaging in theextortion andinthatway thedominantgroup provides a degree of protection.”

Lamb says theWestern Cape government has adoptedone of themostprogressive approaches to gang andinterpersonal violence throughits safety plan,which aims to improvecoordination across departments, butits abilitytoaddress immediateviolenceremains limited.

He adds that whilenationalcrime andviolencepreventionstrategiesexist,theyare under-resourcedand poorly coordinated, resulting in an over-relianceonpolicingratherthan addressing theroot causes of violence

Lamb identifies access to firearms as akey driver of violence

“A lotofgangs have access to firearms more than previous years. It createsa massive demand formoreguns. Theonlyway to compete with othergangs is if youhaveguns. This is drivingtheftsand robberies relatedtothose whopossess firearms.”

Lamb says theviolencecausesserious harm to communities

“Thisistraumatisingfor communities it has an effectparticularlyonchildrenbecause they areexperiencingand witnessing trauma daily. It also restrictstheir movements. It createsfear, tensionand trauma.Thisalsoleads to more youngmen joininggangs to protecttheir family andcommunity.”

Anroux Marais,the WesternCapeMinisterof Police Oversightand Community Safety,said in apress statementcommunities arelivingin

constant fear as criminals“runrampant”.

“The police must urgently resource allpriority precinctsand fill vacanciessothatall serious crimes aresolvedand thoseresponsible are prosecuted,” shesaid.

Meanwhilemayor GeordinHill-Lewishas urgedthe national government to immediately expand theCity’spolicingpowers, citing rising gang,gun,and drug violence

He made thecallafter Acting Police Minister FirozCachaliaacknowledgedthatthe police are strugglingtocontrol gangsinthe province “Wecallonthe minister to endthe delayin granting more policing powers forour City officers to investigatecrime.Citypoliceare immediatelyready to buildprosecution-ready case docketstosecuremoreconvictions forgang, gun, anddrugcrime,” said Hill-Lewis.

TThehighlyanticipated upgradeofMuizenberg’s iconic beachfront hasresumed in earnest following thebuilders’ break, with significant construction activity nowvisible as theproject enters itsmostintensive phase.

Visitors andlocalscan expect substantial changesinthe coming weeksasdemolitionof thebeachfrontablutionbuildinghas commenced,withroof removal, pergoladismantling, andwindowextractioncurrently underway.

MAJORINFRASTRUCTURECHANGESAHEAD

Therefurbishment project, whichbegan in February last year,aimstoreplace aging seawalls anddeliver majorupgradestopublic amenities.

Theinitiativehas nowreached acriticalstage requiringlarge sections of thebeachfronttobe fenced off forpublicsafety. Alarge cranewillbe installedatSurfer’sCornerwithindaystoplace concrete precastunits forthe newpromenade walkway, resultinginthe closureofnineparkingbaysfor approximatelythree months

To minimise disruption,temporary ablutionshavebeen positioned on thewestern side of Surfer’s Corner,nexttothe railwayline opposite thelarge parkingcircle. Thenew permanent ablution building will be constructed further inland laterthisyear. Thecentral shower facility will also be demolished andrebuilt afterthe floor levelisraised, with atemporary shower placed behind theexistingWaves for Change building

HISTORICELEMENTSPRESERVED

Theeight iconic beachhutswillbereplaced with newstructuresmatchingthe historic design,colours,and patterns. Thesewillbe relocatedtothe centralplaza area,where they’ll providewindshelter forthe centralshower facility.BothWaves forChangeand SharkSpotters buildingswillremainintact, though both

organisationshavetemporarily relocatedalong thebeachfrontduringconstruction.

Deputy Mayorand Maycomemberfor spatial planning andenvironment EddieAndrews acknowledged thesignificant impact on the community.“We aremovingintosixth gear Visitors will seea lotofactivityonthe beachfront, andsomelarge sections will be fenced off forpublicsafety,”Andrews said.“Iwantto thanklocal businessesand residentsfor their ongoingsupport andunderstanding.Thisisa mammoth project– we cannotdothiswithout your cooperation,”headded.

TheCityaimstocompletethe upgradeahead of the2026festive season

Community canreceive regularupdates by emailing muizenberg@chand.co.za or attendingbi-monthlymeetings.The next community meetingisscheduled forWednesday 25 February,from17:30 to 19:00atMuizenberg CivicCentre.

TPubliclibrariesareleading providersofcivicsupport

With thenew year off to agoodstart,City librariesare supportingeveryonefromearly readerstojob seekersand entrepreneurs throughfreedigital resources.

Accordingtothe City,over24000 newmembers have signed up in thelastsix months in its 102publiclibraries Librariesloanout books, audiobooksand DVDs,provide free access to computersand the internet throughSmartCape,and host arange of programmesdesignedtosupport learning, developmentand opportunity.

From pram jams fornewbornsand toddlers, to readingpogrammesinthe EarlyChildhood Development(ECD) phaseand beyond,study support forolder learners andemployment readinessprogrammesfor adults Francine Higham,Mayco member forcommunity services andhealth, said librariesare welcoming, safe andinclusive spaces that offer free support to residents.

“While membership is notrequiredtovisit libraries, it does allowresidents to borrowmaterial to read at your leisure, or forstudy purposes,and opensaccess to allour digitalresources From booksand studyspace to SmartCape computersand skills programmes, ourlibraries arethere to give everyone ahandup.”

LIBRARIES’IMPACTBYNUMBERS:

SinceWednesday 31 December last year City librarieshad atotal membership of 253075 SinceJulylastyearatleast 24 127new members have joined Cape Town’s libraries. Between July andDecember, librariesrecorded 3925 718visits.

In thelastthree months of last year,libraries circulated 1105 896items,ieitems checkedout by usersacrossall servicepoints.

In the2024-’25 financialyearlibraries recorded a4%increaseinthe number of visitors accessing theinternetvia SmartCape, from 423811 to 441 451.

People aged 26+accountedfor 52%ofusage, with thoseagedbetween 13 and17accounting for13%

Signingupasa member is quickand easy –youjustneed an identity document andproof of address.

Adults areabletosignupchildrenfor membership on presentation of therequired documentation.

Forin-person applications,membershipisactivatedimmediately, whichmeans newpatrons receivetheir librarycardonthe spot andare able to borrowmaterialonthe same day. Applications canalsobecompleted online.In such instances, newpatrons have immediate access to allonlineofferings,and have to collect theirlibrary card within sevendays. . Online applications canbemade here: https://opac.capetown.gov.za/

Magic college opens to thepublic

TheCollege of Magicwillhavetwo open days on Saturday 7and Saturday 14 February to welcomenewcomers into aworld of learning, performanceand personal growth

TheseOpenDaysare auniqueopportunityfor prospectivestudentsand families to engage directly with theCollege’s world-classcurriculum andsupportivelearningenvironment

Entrance is free butbookingisessentialas spaces arelimited

THEOPENDAYEXPERIENCEINCLUDES:

. Ahands-onbeginnermagic workshop

. Aguidedtourofthe iconic MagicMansion

. An overview of Course 1and meet-andgreet with instructors

Thecollege,internationally respectedfor its rigorous andtransformativemagic education, also aims to expand itsbeginnercourses next month. TheCollege of Magic’sstructured beginnercourses usemagic as apractical tool to developconfidence, communicationskills, discipline andcreativethinking. Theseskills consistently translateintosuccess on stage, in school andinlife.

Last year thecollege featured in global superstar magician DavidBlaine’sDisney+ television series

During production,College of Magicstudents met, interacted with andlearntdirectlyfrom Blaine,gainedrareinsight into professional standardsatthe highestinternational level. That experience didnot remain theoretical. Students went on to deliverhighlysuccessful public performances at localtheatresand most recently,duringthe festiveseasonatthe V&A Waterfront.These real-world outcomes demonstrate thestrengthofthe College’s training modeland itsability to preparestudentsfor genuineperformance environments

Accordingtothe College,these experiences accelerate learning in ways no classroom alonecan achieve. Students gain confidence throughresponsibility, resilience throughlive performanceand perspectivebyengagingwith mentorsatthe topofthe industry “Magic is an idealplatformfor learning essentiallifeskills.Our beginner courseshelp

students discover confidenceand communication abilitiestheynever knew they had,”said DavidGore, Training Director of thecollege “The Open Days areyourchancetosee firsthand what makesour programeffective and inspiring.”

TheOpenDayswilltakeplace between 10:30 and11:15 at theheCollege of Magic, 215Imam HaronRoad, Claremont.

. To secureyour spot,emailinfo@collegeofmagic.comorWhatsApp to 062519 1177

SUBSTITUTEDSERVICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTHAFRICA (WESTERNCAPE DIVISION,CAPETOWN) Case No 2025-030265.Inthe Ex Parte application between : THE STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICALIMITED (Applicant)and MERLE PILLAY ID 7510090142085(FirstRespondent) andRONNIE JACOBS ID 710720 5254 08 5(Second Respondent) In re:the Application between: THE STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICALIMITED (Applicant) and TO: MERLE PILLAY ID 7510090142085,anfemale, whosefull andfurtherparticularsare to Applicant unknown with chosendomicilium citandiet