Shesaida case of murder andattempted murder arebeing investigated andnoarrest has been made yet.
Aresident, whowishtoremainanonymous forfearofsafetysaid: “The shootings areconcerning. Salt Riverwas considered safe.I live with my 90-year-oldmother, andI oftenget home late at night, so it’s scary. ”
Theresidentcalledfor more visiblepolicingin thearea.
said residentsare living in fear “The community is traumatisedand concerned.There is acloud of fear hangingoverthe community.Weare saying to thecommunity they must notgiveuphope. Thepoliceand CPF areworking behind thescenestobring these people to book.There is oneprominent gang in thearearesponsible forall theshootings.We encouragepeopletotakeadvantage of theinformantsystemwhere they remain anonymous. They canshare informationwiththe police stationcommander,” he concluded.
14%decrease inWCape Easter road deaths
The WesternCaperecorded a14% decrease in road deaths over theEaster period,with19fatalitiescomparedto22lastyear.
Theprovincialgovernment attributes thedecline to increased visiblepolicingand stricter law enforcementacrossmajor routes
Nationally,Transport Minister BarbaraCreecyreporteda 10% decrease in road fatalities between Januaryand mid-March, indicatinga positive trendahead of the Easter period
FinalEasterroadstatisticsare yet to be released
Despitethe improvement, theWestern Cape Government remainsconcerned that pedestriansand passengerscontinueto accountfor most fatalities
WesternCapeMinisterof Mobility IsaacSilekusaidhe observed encouragingcompliance at roadblocks over theweekend, butwarnedthatserious offences persist.
“Thispastweekend, Ijoinedtrafficofficers at variousroadblocks
A36,1% DROP IN DUIALCOHOL ARRESTS
andwas encouraged by theoverall compliance from most motorists. However, therewerestill serious concerns,including driversgetting behind thewheel underthe influence,bribing andassaulting traffic officers,and allowing unlicensed driverstooperate minibustaxis carryingpassengers,”hesaid.
Sileku addedthatthe reduction in fatalities showsthatenforcement efforts arehavinganimpact.
“The decrease in fatalities is an encouragingresultand showsthat stronger enforcementbyour traffic officers andbetterbehaviour by road usersare making adifference
“Thisincludesa 36,1%dropin drivingunder theinfluenceofalcoholarrests, suggestingthatconstantvisible policing is effectively discouraging riskybehaviour.”
Atotal of 108motorists were arrested fordriving underthe influence, with thehighest alcohol readingrecordedinVredendal at 1,46 mg/l,morethan five timesthe legallimit
Trafficofficers also removed293 unroadworthy vehicles andidentified 1778 unlicensed vehicles
Adverseweather conditions on Good Friday,particularlyalong theN1and in Cape Town,did not disruptoperations.
Authoritiesalsouseddronesto monitorpedestrianmovementand public transportareas
However, nine pedestriansand sevenpassengerslosttheir lives,
with many incidentsinvolving pedestrianswalking on high-speed roads, oftenunder theinfluenceof alcohol.
Although totalarrestsdroppedby 29%, indicating some behavioural improvement, officialswarnthat speeding, reckless andnegligent driving, notwearing seatbelts, and drivingorwalking underthe influence remain majorrisks
In principle, witnessesare grantedlegal protection fortheir testimony, ensuring that what is said in thesespacescannotbeused directly to prosecutethem.
In practice,thatprotectionis incomplete
Testimonymay be shielded in a narrowlegal sense, butits effects arenot contained.
What is said in acommitteeroom canstill triggerinvestigations, expose relationships, shiftpolitical attention, andrippleintoenvironmentsfar beyond Parliament
Therecentproceedings of the Madlanga Commission have again broughtthistension into focus, particularly throughevidencegiven
Theuse of anonymityisnot procedural detail
It is asignalthatdisclosure carries risk
It acknowledges acentral contradictionthattruth-telling in formal settingsisnot always aneutral act.
SouthAfricansoften assume that silenceorhesitationinsuch forums stemsfromfearofprosecution.But thereality is oftenmore layered.
It includes retaliation, reputational damage,and thedestabilisation of networks that once provided protection or influence.
In systemsshapedbypatronage, politicalcontestationand institutional overlap, thoserisks arenot theoretical. They arelived realities. This does notabsolve witnesses of responsibility to be truthful.Accountability dependsontestimony that is accurate,consistentand complete
Withoutit, oversightmechanismslosetheir effectiveness. Butitdoescomplicatethe assumption that fulldisclosureis simply amatterofwillingness. Thereisalsoa psychologicaland environmentaldimension that is frequently overlooked in public interpretation of testimony. Memory is nota fixedrecord.
It is shaped by stress, isolation, time andcircumstance.
Witnesseswho areincarcerated, underinvestigation,ortestifying from restrictiveconditionsmay experience real difficultyrecalling events with precision.
Yetpublicexpectation often assumesclarity,coherence and completeness.
This createsa gapbetween what is demanded andwhatisrealistically available.
Commissionsand parliamentary committees continue to rely on the principleoffulldisclosure.
Butthe environmentinwhich that disclosure is produced often undermines itscompleteness.
Theresultisnot necessarily deception. It is oftenfragmentation
This tensionsitsatthe heart of SouthAfrica’saccountability architecture
On onesideisthe expectation that public hearings will reveal the fulltruth of complexnetworksof wrongdoing
On theother is asystemthat cannotfully protectevery witness from theconsequencesofwhat they reveal
Even when legalprivilege applies, it does notextendtoall outcomes
Testimonycan stillguide investigations, shapemedia narratives, or shiftpolitical andlegal scrutiny onto individualsand institutions in ways that aredifficult to predictor contain.
This is whyinquiry processes oftenproduce partialnarratives
rather than complete accounts
Theissueisnot only whether witnessesare willing to speak. It is whetherthe conditions in which they speakallowfor fulland unguardedtestimony
If SouthAfricaisserious about strengtheningaccountability,it must confront this structural gap directly
Howare witnessesprotected beyond thehearing room? What safeguards existwhen testimonyintersectswithongoing investigations?
Andhow caninquiry processes balancetransparencywiththe real risksfaced by thosecalledto speak?
Thesequestions arenot abstract
They go to thecredibility of the country’soversight institutions
Notbecause truthisabsent, or becausewitnessesare necessarily unwilling,but becausethe cost of fulldisclosureremains high in a system whereconsequencesare difficult to contain.
SouthAfrica’schallengeisnot alackoftestimony.Itisa framework that stillstruggles to make truth-telling safe enough to be complete
Untilthatchanges,the country will continue to hear fragmentsof truthinroomsdesignedtoproduce clarityand mistakethose fragmentsfor thewhole story.
NAMHLA MONAKALI
TheWestern Cape recorded a14% decrease in road deaths over theEaster period. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
‘Werescue and rebuild lives’
APriceless, an organisation workingto combat traffickingand exploitation throughprevention, awarenessand restoration. “Wedon’t just rescue children,werebuild lives,”she said Oneofthe organisation’s keyinitiativesisTruckersAgainst Trafficking, whichengages truckdrivers to help identify andreportsuspiciousactivity.“We have done ahugesurveywith truckdrivers to come to asafespace wheretheycan become whistleblowers,”she said Beyond Pricelessalsooffersstakeholder training,equipping professionalsand community membersto recogniseand respondtotrafficking andexploitation. “Wedoa lotof stakeholdertrainingand work with differentgovernmentstakeholders,” shesaid. “Trust building is major. We also look at mental stateand health.”
Theorganisationfurther focuseson community innovation anddevelopment,working with localpartnersto strengthen awarenessand support
systems, whilealsoproviding places of safety forthose in need Geiger said herworkremains deeply personal androoted in herown journey. “Thisworkispersonalbecause I went throughabuse myself,” shesaid. “Thathas givenmea passion forthis work,and my relationship with God andpeoplehas helped me.Thatisthe hope Iwanttopassontovictims.”
Beyond Pricelessisexpanding its reach, with planstoestablish asafe spaceinthe Karooand grow itsoutreachacrosscommunities “The work is growingsofast,”she said.“Humantraffickingishiddenin plainsight.Weneed to educateourselves andstand up forthe voiceless.”
Sheencouragesthe public to get involved by inviting theorganisation into schoolsand churches or by volunteering. “You caninviteustoyour church or your school,” shesaid. “We arealsolookingfor volunteers.” . Formoreinformation,visit beyondpriceless.org.
ceansUltragoldhome
thing. My coachalwayssays, d flyunder theradar’. And ays, Ido. It hasbeen history TheNorthernCapeisslightlyon knew theracewould be hergoalwas to claimher 7th what placeI needed to be to idn’tmakethe record butstill grace. Formeitwas asuccesshether shewould be returning
CPOA Berghof
next year,Steyn said:“When Iwon my firstTwo Oceans Marathon,I neverenvisionedwinning seven. Itakeityearbyyear. Ifeel strong and feel Ihavea fewmoreyears in me.” Runner-up in thewomen’s category,Margaret Jepchumba finished in atimeof03:33:31 and said:“Theracewas tough. Ihad to fight.” Men’srunner-up was2024championOnalenna Khonkhobewho said:“Iamhappy because this guy(Jantjies)ismyhomeboy.Myrace startedonConstantiaNek.I looked andsaw my manishere. Iamintrouble.”
44a Hof Street, Gardens, Cape Town Peace of mind •ProudLifeRightOwner •RetirementVillage on theGolden Mile
Situated on the slopes of TableMountain,the Berghof offers vistas of Lions head,DevilsPeak, SignalHilland theBay.Inaddition to thebreathtaking views, a beautiful and well-maintained garden with amountain stream passingthrough adds to the natural beautyofBerghof.Consistingof62LifeRight apartments, this sought after residence lies within walking distanceofDeWaalParkand Cape Town Mediclinic andcaters to independent living needs.
AvidcyclistkilledinCampsBay
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
Afamily manand apeople’sperson. This is howavidcyclist,LandonLa Grange will be remembered.
The61-year-old died in hospital on Tuesday7 Aprilafter he wasstruckbya taxi alongVictoria Road in CampsBay on Monday 6April La Grange,who wasalso amulti-timeparticipant in theAbsaCapeEpic, wasairlifted to hospitalafter he wasstruckwhena taxi allegedly overtook avehicle on thecoastal road CptLiaan Jansevan Renburg, CampsBay Police Stationcommander,saida groupof20 cyclists were cyclingfromCamps BaytoHout Baywhile thetaxiwas travelling from Hout Bay towardsCamps Bayatabout 8:30 Neil Robinson,a closefriendand chiefexecutive officerofthe PedalPower Association, said La Grange died afterhis heartstoppeddue to hissevereinjuries.
“I know hisfamilyverywelland they are devastated by what happened. He wasa good humanbeing,a family man, incredibly talented cyclistand apeople’sperson.”
Robinson said as tragic as this accident was, it is notanisolatedincidentonSouth African roads.
He said lawlessnessinthe countryisa systemicissueand unless theissueisaddressedby government it will notchange.
Robinson urgedroadusers to usethe road “respectfully”.
“Respect oneanother,respect life,respect that humanbeingsare drivingcarsand bicycles or walking. People aretoo quicktobeselfish in theiractions…and notworryingabout thepersonnextto, behind or in frontofthem.”
AccordingtoJanse vanRensburg, theoriginal charge of reckless andnegligent drivingagainst thedriverwillnow be changedtoculpable homicide
Meanwhile, cyclists have turned to social mediatovoice growingconcernsabout theirsafety.
Onecyclist said:“This stretchofroadsees as many bikesasitdoescars, if notmorebikes than cars.It’spartofthe routeofthe biggest timedcycling event(ctct), andyet we find selfish road usersendangering each otherdaily
Stay safe.Staycourteous.”
Anothercyclist said theaccident was“horrible, sadand unnecessary.”
“Bythe same tokenI feel luckythatthrough allthe kilometers Ihavebeen spared from such ahorribleincident. (Not withoutclose shaves though). To Landon’s friendsand family,my heartgoesout to youfolks.”
Whileanother cyclistsaid: “cycling hasbecome adangerous sport” andappealsfor safety improvements .Witnesses arerequested to contact the investigating officerWOJingubuntu Kupsio on 082469 2734
Studentdiesin hit-and-run
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
Cape Town Centralpoliceare investigatinga culpable homicide case following thedeath of a 19-year-oldCapePeninsula University of Technology (CPUT) studentonTuesday 7April Accordingtoreports,the female studentdied aftershe washit by acar on thecornerofTennant andHanover streetsinDistrictSix SgtWesleyTwigg, provincial police spokesperson,saidthe circumstancessurrounding the incident areunder investigationand no arrests have been made yet.
Lauren Kansley, CPUT spokesperson,confirmed that thewoman wasa registered first year studentatthe District Sixcampus.
“Wehavebeen in communication with the family to liaise thedetails around theincident. They arenot from this province butthe house parent from theresidence whereshe livedhas been dealingwiththe family.She wasa resident at oneofour residences,” explainedKansley .Police areappealing on anyone with information regarding this incident to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or usethe mobileapplication MySAPSanonymously
Club
TheMouille Point Ratepayers' Association'sAGM willbeheldonThursday14May at 17:30 at the Greek Hellenic Club,24Bay Road, Mouille Point.The guest speaker willbethe V&A Waterfront's newChief ExecutiveOfficer, Graham Wood, who willdiscuss the precinct's development plans and what it means for residents.
. Formoreinformation email janemeyer@mpra.co.za
Landon La Grangewas also amulti-time participant in theAbsaCape Epic. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
GoldAnchorplanforGrangerBay
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
CapeTown’smaritimeeconomy is setfor aboostwitha R230 million investment in anew Superyacht Marina at theV&A Waterfront,partof abroader precinct expansionthataims to strengthen thecity’spositioninthe global oceaneconomy
Themarina, expected to be completedin Octoberthisyear, will be locatedatone of theSouthernHemisphere’soldestworking harbours
V&AWaterfrontCEO Graham Wood said the projectrespondstoa growingdemandand adds that superyacht visits have grownsteadilysince 2009 “Wewelcomed35vessels in the2024-'25 season alone. Many stay forextendedperiods, sixmonths, sometimesa year,because Cape Town offersa unique mix: world-classtourism, reliable marine services andaccess to adventure cruising routes that simply don’texist in traditional yachting hubs.”
Themarinaforms part of awider precinct expansionthatincludesthe Cape Town EDITION, therefurbished InterContinental TableBay Cape Town andthe East Pier Helistop It is also expected to create jobs andeconomic activity across marine services,maintenance, provisioning andhospitality sectors, with adedicated conciergeoffice forvessels andcrew.
TRAFFICCONCERNS
People’s Post spoketothe Mouille PointRatepayers’Association (MPRA) to gettheir input on thedevelopments.
Jane Meyer, MPRA coordinator, said theassociation’sprimary concern, as with most new developments,isthe increase in trafficboth during construction andinthe long term “The roadsinand around theprecinctremain thesamedespite thesignificant increase in people andtrafficcreated by thenew develop-
WE WELCOMED 35 VESSELS IN THE 2024-’25 SEASON ALONE,SOME STAYING6 MONTHS OR LONGER
ments.”
TheMPRAisurgingthe City to exploresolutionstoeasetrafficcongestioninand around thearea.
“A superyacht visitgenerates exponentially more economic activity pervisitor than mass tourism.”
Blaine addedthatthe economic impact is significant.“They source freshprovisionsatscale They employ localmarinecontractors forrepair work.The spendissubstantial,the volume is manageable,and theeconomicbenefitstays local.”
ThemarinawillpursueGoldAnchoraccreditation andinclude environmentalmanagement systemsaligned with theWaterfront’ssustainabilitycommitments
LANDRECLAMATION
Thepublicwas invitedtocomment on a proposed land reclamationproject in Granger Bayatthe V&AWaterfront, whichclosedon Wednesday18March
Theproposalinvolvesreclaiming3,81haof land:0,80hafor coastalprotectioninfrastructure,1,47hafor public spaces andamenities, and1,54hafor mixed-usedevelopment
Plannedfeaturesinclude water- andlandbasedpublicamenities,a coastalwalkway, landscaped promenade, tidalpools, pedestrian paths, open spaces,a slipwayand a fixed
quayside
During construction thedevelopment is expected to create closeto27000 jobs over a 20-yearperiod.
In response to whetherresidents believethese benefits will be felt by surrounding communities,Meyer said shewelcomedthe jobopportunities theproject will bring. “Webelieve oursuburbwillbenefitinmanyways, such as increaseddemandfor property from renters andbuyerswanting to be closer to that area, thepotential forjobsand theprecinct’sgeneral multi-facetedofferings.Asfor theincreased work opportunities, thebenefits will be wider than just theimmediateneighbourhood.” Wood is settoengagewiththe residents during theMPRA’sannual generalmeetingon Thursday 14 May.
Visualisation showing the proposedbreakwaters and shoreprotection in the Granger Bayprecinct
Tng tionsthisyearinthe competition.
Of thetwo Franschhoekoutplayed Vander Stell-EvergreensinStellenbosch by 55-16and Ikeyshad to pull outall thestops to beat Primrose by 33-27 in ascintillating match.
With Franschhoek’s wintheyare lyingsecond on thelog behind Villagerand VDEsecond from last forscoring some points Villagerwas toostrongfor UniMil winning by 57-0.Hamiltons went to Jagtershof in Kuils Riverand came home with a45-25 victory, Helderberg scored themostpointsinthe first week in theirencounter againstSK-Walmers by beatingthem64-30.Durbell travelledto FalseBay fortheir winof36-24 andTygerberg narrowlybeatBrackenfell by 10-8
In SuperLeagueB,Violets andYoung Peoples shared thespoils24-24,Kraaifonteinwas
og ges, y Macassarand Kraaifontein. In SuperLeagueC,the luckynumberwas 34 fora win. Watsonia,Rangers,Gardens, Pniel-Villagers,Atlantis, Kylemore andScottsdene Centralwerevictorious. Watsonia beat Sir Lowrians 34-10, RangersbeatStrandUnited 34-11, Pniel-Villagers wonthe derbyagainst Raithby-Universals 34-22, Atlantis beat Caledonian Roses36-18,Kylemorewon at home by 32-20against Strand andScottsdene Central
yoppo ng s, were thereasons in most gamesfor thefailure on matchday Theleagueisnot woninApril,thiswas the firstgameof15.
It is back to thegrind tonight(14 April) and Thursday to iron outthe mistakes andwork outnew game plans. Each team will work out aseparategameplanfor each opponent andit will be interestingtosee whoisgoing to learn from theirmistakes.
Sine Braweni of Ikeysslips the tackle of Aqeel Gassiep of Primrose PHOTO: RASHIED ISAACS
