TygerBurger | Mitchells Plain | E-edition | 8 July 2026

BOOST FORHOLIDAY PROGRAMMES

AdvanceEdukos’s Wendy Abrahams helpschildrentodrawatthe Hand

Strandfontein.Full storyonpage6

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neighbourhood watch member’s call fora speed humpoutside aschoolappears to be falling on deafears.

RichardSmall, amember of Portland Neighbourhood Watch who helps out at Portland

Primary School, says he hasbeen battling foryears to get anyone to payattention to his pleas for trafficcalminginWestpoort Drive. Small andseveralofhis neighbourhood watch peers assist at thepedestriancrossingoutside the school and he says several motorists ignore the traffic lights, the pedestriancrossing and sometimes even the raised booms of thescholar patrol, and speed over thecrossing —even if learners are in theroad at the time.

Sonallegedlyslits father’sthroat

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Crime-watch groups buzzed in the early hours of lastTuesday morning as reports of adeadly domestic dispute circulated.

“Justafter midnight an incident happenedinLebombo Road, Tafelsig,”the message read. “The sonapparently slit the dad’sthroat.”

Avideoalso circulating with the alert showed emergencyworkers putting abody bag into avehicle in the pitch dark.

MANFATALLYSTABBED

Const Ndakhe Gwala, MediaLiaison Officeratthe Western Cape Media Centre, confirmed a45-year-old man was fatally stabbedatthe address in the early hours

COMMUNITY SHAKEN BY DEADLYDOMESTIC DISPUTE

of Tuesday 30 June. She said police responded to reportsofastabbing about 00:10 and found the man’s body at the back of the main house. He had astab wound to the neck and was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel.

Witnesses pointed out a22-year-old man, who is arelative of the deceased. The suspect had visible injuries and was taken to hospital, she said.

Mitchells Plainpolice have registered amurder case. The circumstances surrounding the incident were under investigation, she said.

Taxisbattle ehailing drivers over customers atTown Centre

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Mitchells Plainwas relatively quiet last week during the planned March and Marchshutdown

While not crime free, the incidents in Mitchells Plainon30Junewere all unrelatedtothe anti-illegal immigrant marches plannedacrossthe country.

TAXIVIOLENCE

In theTown Centre, shots were reportedly firedbetween taxisand e-hailingcabs

Social media andcrime-watch groups shared severalalerts andvideos of a conflict at the rank behind the traffic department.

According to thealerts, shots were fired when minibus-taxi drivers confronted e-hailingdrivers for allegedly stealing theirbusiness.

Avideoofthe scene, which was shared on social media, showed several police vansonthe scene andpeople running.

Policeand thelocal community policing forumcould not confirm whether shots were fired. Capt FC van Wyk said that policewere on the scene from 12:00 to 16:00, andcontinuedtopatrol the area.

“The dispute between the minibus taxi drivers and e-hailing drivers stems from thee-hailing drivers offering services to clients. Theminibus-taxi drivers perceive this as poaching/interception of clients.

Afight broke out, but order was restored when members attended to the complaint.” He said no cases had been opened.

Several commentators on social media thought the violence was related to the marches, but Van Wyk said: “It needs to be stated that the altercation at the taxi rank on Tuesday was not because of the current anti-immigrant sentiment.”

DRUGSFOUNDINLENTEGEUR

Theextra foot patrols on the day also led to an arrest in Lentegeur.

Lentegeur Police Station spokesperson, Const Navon van Houten, said aman was caught with drugs in Perseus Street, Woodlands. Van Houten said the arrest happened during preemptive foot patrols in the area.

Theman was arrested with 533 full Mandrax tablets,Van Houten said.

SHOPSCLOSED

Several foreign-run shops wereclosed last Wednesday ahead of the expected marched but neighbourhood watches and the Community Police Forums (CPF) in Mitchells Plainand Strandfonteinall said the area was quiet.

Vernon Fortune, the Hyde Park Neighbourhood Watch Chair, said all the spaza shops in that section of Tafelsig were closed on the day while Lentegeur CPF Chair Michael Jacobs joked that the only people marching were police.

Womeninvited to the‘SheRises Experience’

Women areinvited to attend the She Rises Experience,a gathering hosted by DestinyChangersDifference Makers.

EVENTDETAILS

Theevent takesplace on Saturday 8August at

14:00,atGateMinistries, corner of Weltevreden and Mosquitostreet,Rocklands. Entryisfree, and attendees willbecelebrated on the day. . Contact Sandyon072 9939623for more information.

Damoyi named acting policecommissioner

Premier Alan Winde andWestern Cape MECofPolice Oversightand CommunitySafety, AnrouxMarais, have welcomedthe appointment of Major General Luyanda Damoyi as acting Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner Damoyi previouslyservedasDeputyProvincial Commissionerunder hispredecessor,LtGen Thembisile Patekile,a background that boththe premier and theministersay positions him well forthe role “MajGen Damoyi bringswithhim awealthof experienceand knowledge, having served as the DeputyProvincialCommissioner,under his predecessor, Lt GenThembisile Patekile,”saidWinde Maraisechoedthe sentiment. “I am confident that hisleadership, integrityand experiencewill guide thepoliceinthe WesternCape with excellence. Iwishhim everysuccess in strengthening public safety andfostering trust between thepoliceand

thecommunities it serves by upholding the highest standardsofjustice andaccountability.”

RESOURCINGANDDECENTRALISATION TOPTHEAGENDA

While welcoming theappointment,Winde was candid about thechallenges awaiting thenew acting commissioner.HecalledonDamoyitomake resourcing apriorityfromthe outset

“I urge theMaj Gen to prioritisethe push forbetter resourcing. Thepoliceinthe Western Cape continues to face significant resource constraints,making strong partnershipswithmunicipallaw enforcement agencies, including theLaw Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP),moreimportantthan ever,” said Winde

ThePremier also signalledthat broader structural conversations cannolonger be deferred. yp xpo

Seniorstrandedafterrelocation

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Abedridden senior is without the means to returnto her family home.

Cecelia Kloppers (74) currently lives in aCity rental property in Tafelsig. She was moved there last year after the home she lived in for 43 years in Beacon Valley started collapsing around her.

“You just hear the bricks falling on the outside. And that wakes us up,” Kloppers said.

The problems with the house started when the foundation began sinking, Kloppers said. The walls started cracking and the house became more and more structurally unsound. Kloppers and her late husband moved into the Judo Street house in Beacon Valley in the 1980s withtheir young family. When the City later offered them the chance to buy the property, her husband paid aR400 deposit but the family could not secure aloan at the time. The transfer was never finalised and the family continued paying rent. Kloppers said she has never been given a title deed.

When her husband died 13 years ago, Klopperscontinued to live at the house, but her son moved in with her when she became ill and bedridden.

Two years ago, when the house started falling apart, the National Coloured Congress (NCC) and Kloppers’ nephew Jermaine Martin, who is acommissioner of concernedthe house could end up vandalised and asked whether

theserepairs, as doing so would not comply with the relevant

Ex-gangster’sroadtohope

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“You can either packyour bags andrun away, or you canfight your father.”

These were the words that Gordonde Bruin was toldasachild. It was advice from his older brother, whomheidolised. De Bruin (37), areformed gangster and recovering addict, said the words shaped his life choices because he indeed ended up in many fights withhis abusive father “It’s not easy to leave thatenvironment, or that lifestyle,” he said. “But through my confession, Icould leave.”

De Bruin, who now works in community development after obtainingadegree in the field, said that he was attracted to gangsterism because he saw the gangsters in his area as father figures. His family moved around in several areas of the Cape Flats, including Mitchells Plain, Hanover Park, and Bonteheuwel. His father, whowas also agangster, beat him physically, while several of his six siblings were gangsters and his eldest sister sold drugs. He was convicted of murderin2004 and sentenced in 2005 to 10 years inprison Whileinside, he completed his matricand studied business, though he said he never took it seriously, seeing the classes as a reprievefrom the cell ratherthan away permanentway out.

TURNINGPOINT

“I alwayssay if that year 2015 canspeak, then that year will tell my testimony way better thanIcan,” he said That year, his mother, whomDeBruin says was always loving, got into afight with her sister, with whom they were living. His mother arrangedfor himto

MAN MOVESFROM MURDERER TO MENTOR AFTER RENOUNCING GANG ANDDRUGLIFESTYLE

staywithapastortheyknew until the tension cooled. Thepastortook him to CampJoy in Strandfontein.

At Camp Joy, De Bruin said he was encouraged to makea confession.

“I said, ‘God, Iwill just walk away from allthis,’”hesaid. “My sister was still a drug dealer backthen. My baby brother wasstill adrugdealer. Most of my family were stilldrug dealers andgangsters. But Itoldmyfriends, families, I’m done with thislife. That’s how Iput myself into rehab.”

FINDINGRLABS

In 2015, De Bruin came acrossRLabs, ayouthdevelopment programme in Westridge.

“I used to be in andout of Mitchells Plain,but for thewrong reasons,”hesaid. “Butnever did IknowthatMitchells Plain would playabig role in my life.”

AtRLabs he completed courses in project management, social innovation, enterprise, occupational health andsafety, andcomputer basics. It was the firsttime he hadused alaptop andDeBruin saidhe found it dauntinguntil oneofthe teachers encouraged him “Hesaidthat there is nothing in thislife that Icannot facethatisinfront of me, becauseIhave already overcome so many things. Every time when I’m in frontofa laptoporcomputer, Ialways thinkabout howhespoke that hope in me.”

During this period he alsoacted in a

theatre production called Don’t Miss Your TurningPoint, writtenbyafellow resident at therehab “Neverdid Iknow thatI’m an actor as well,” he said.

BIBLECOLLEGE

From RLabs, De Bruin studied full-time film andtelevisionproduction at Media Village in 2016. That same year he enrolled in Youth With AMission,a missionary school with apresencein180 countries. Through themission, he earned adegree in Community Development in 2023.

The organisation also gave him his first experience on aplane when he flew to Uganda in 2016.

“I never thought or imagined that one day Iwould fly in aplane,” he said.

Hisrelationship with the Bible also changed. He describes his use of the Bible in prison as “abusive” explaining that inmates tore out the pagestouse as toilet paper, cigarette rolling papers and baggies for drugs.

“Today God haschosen me to workwith theGideons,” he said, referring to the Bible ministry that distributes scriptures in schools.

De Bruin now does community development work in schools, juvenile detentioncentres, andonthe streets.

At youthdetentioncentres, he plays socceragainst young inmates and speaks to them about life after prison. He works with recently released gang members, teacheschildren to read and write, and speakstoparents aboutthe importance of stayinginvolved in their children’slives.

“If you’re the parent, you’ve got to do much morethanwhatwedo,” he said. “Becauseifthese kids are going to fail, they’renot goingtofail just us, they’re

going to fail you too.”

Reformedgangster GordondeBruin posesfor a photoshoot forthe play he performedin.

De Bruin also released arap mixtape called Chasing Destiny,available on YouTube and is writing several books. His story also features in Gang Entry and Exit in Cape Town: Getting Beyond the Streets in Africa’sDeadliest City

AFAMILYSTILLINTHESHADOWS

Of his six siblings, most died in the shadow of drugs and gangsterism. His eldest brother ran drugs between the Northern Cape and the Western Cape together with their sister.De Bruin described the two as operating like a“family mafia.” He was killed in amotorcycle accident while their eldest sister burned to death.

His youngest brother, he says, is still on the streets, after having served time for murder and surviving agang hit.

De Bruin says he has tried to help his brother but he walked out or rehab.

“I just hope and pray and believe he finds recovery,”DeBruin said.

Aray of hope in his family is hisaunt, who used to deal drugs but “left that life behind” but the biggest turnaround was in De Bruin’srelationship with hisfather, who also found recovery.

“My father died aprayer warrior,” De Bruin said. “He did change his life.”

Boostfor trauma-informed holidayprogrammes

The holiday programmes, funded by the R9-million allocation to the Mitchells Plain Safety and Development Forum (MPSDF), was launched in severalMitchells Plain suburbs on Wednesday 1July.

SAFESPACESFORCHILDREN

The programmes, which were launched in Beacon Valley, Tafelsig, Rocklands and Strandfontein,offer structured sports, arts, recreational, and psychosocial support activitiesthatcreatesafe,nurturing environmentsfor children during school holidays.

Thecore approachrecognises that many childreninMitchells Plainface ongoing exposure to violence, adversity, and toxic stress.

Rather thanasking“What is wrong with this child?” the programme is built on thequestion: “What hashappened to this child and howdowerespondinways that promotehealing?”

Theprogramme aims to interrupt cycles of trauma before they become cycles of violence, while strengthening resilience, belonging, and hope through structured recreational activities combined with positive mentorship, emotional support, and child-centred programming.

STRONGDEMANDFROMCOMMUNITY

Following apublic Request for Proposals, 20 community organisations submitted applications.

Of these, 13 wereselected after meeting trauma-informed, governance, and child safeguarding requirements.

Five organisations were unsuccessful during this funding round, and two withdrew before programme implementation. Several organisations still require support with registration as anon-profit, governance systems, child protection measures, police clearances, and compliance with the Children’s Act.

Citybreakstourismrecords

Cstill.Weinvest,innovateand

Framework 2030aims to increase visitor spendingtoR34 billion and double tourism jobs to over 200 000 by the end of the decade

“Cape Town doesnot stand still. We invest, innovate andcompete. My ambition is to see tourism createopportunities in every community andsupport more jobs acrossour city.”

However, the report highlighted asharp contrast in domestic tourism performance. Local tourism spend fell approximately 32% from R8 billion in 2024 to R5,5billion in 2025, despite domestic overnight visitor numbersremainingclose to international figuresataround 1,42 million.The average stay for domestic visitors dropped from 5,2 nightsto4,4 nights, with daily spend decliningtoR882.

To counter the decline in domestic spend, Cape Town Tourism has launched three targetedinitiatives, accordingto Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy.Adomestic campaign encouraging local travel under thetagline“Youdon’t need aholiday, you need My Cape Town”; aregional partnership with Zimbabwe andNamibia that has already grown arrivals by 17%; andthe “One Small World” international brandplatform targetinghigh-valuelong-haul travellers.”

“We do not wait for conditions to change, we go outand create them,” he concluded.

Die lugverkoelde enjins word warm gemaak, terwyl klassiekeVolkswagen-entoesiastevoorberei vir ’n gesinsvriendelike winterkonvooi wat op Saterdag 11 Julie deur dele van die Wes-Kaap gaan ry.

TheWild Buggers Beach Buggy Clubhet hul Propellers &Pistonswinterrit aangekondig en nooi eienaars van duinebesies, Baja Bugs en ouskool- VW Kewers om aan die ontspanne daguitstappie deel te neem.

KONVOOIBEGININMILNERTON

Dierit beginom09:00 by Woodbridge-eiland in Milnerton, waar voertuie bymekaarkom voordat die konvooi om 09:30 vertrek. Van daar af beweeg die groepnadie Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmagmuseum op Ysterplaat, waar deelnemers die geleentheid kry om historiese vliegtuie en helikopterstebesigtig.

Ná die museumbesoek ry die konvooi binneland toe na die Paarlvir ’n gesellige middagete by Cape to Rio Fisheries, bekend vir sy vis en tjips Dieroete kombineer plaaslike geskiedenis met van die WesKaap se mooiste oop paaie.

OOPVIRKLASSIEKE-VW-ENTOESIASTE

Dieorganiseerders sê die doel van die rit is om die plaaslike motorkultuur te vier en eienaars aan te moedig om hul voertuie weer op die pad te bring.

Anton Kleynbydie Suid-Afrikaanse LugmagmuseumopYsterplaat.

Die geleentheid is oop vir alle lugverkoelde-Volkswagenklassiekers en is ontwerp as ’n rustige, gesinsvriendelike daguitstappie.

“Die lugverkoelde enjins word warm gemaak, en ons soek nog klassiekeVW’sombyons konvooi aan te sluit,” sê Anton Kleyn van TheWild Buggers Beach Buggy Club.

“Dit sal fantasties wees as plaaslike eienaars hul motors onder die stof uithaal en saam met ons die winterrit geniet.” Kleyn en sy groen Kangoduinebesie, “Shrek”, sal ook deel van die konvooi wees en by die Lugmagmuseum op Ysterplaat te sien wees as deel van die voorbereidings vir die rit . Kontak Mickey by 082497 7721 of besoek:https://wildbuggers.co.za/ next-event/vir meer inligting of om aan te sluit

Sport is asource of hope,pride,unity

Sport is often described as agame, butfor millions of people it is much more than that. It is asource of hope, pride, identity and unity.

In South Africa, where ourhistory is markedbydivision and inequality,sport has proven its abilitytobringpeople together in ways that politics and social programmes cannot.

It reminds us that despite our differences, we share common dreamsand emotions.

Just afew weeks ago, the nation celebrated when Bafana Bafana made South African football history by reaching the Fifa World Cup knockout stages for the firsttimebydefeating SouthKorea1-0 in theirfinal groupgame.

Theirdisappointing defeat toCanada in thelast32ofthe competition,whichsaw them bowing outofthe tournament, serves as aperfectexample.

As thefinal whistle blew, millions of SouthAfricans experienced the same feeling of heartbreak.Inthatmoment,we were not divided by language, religion or social status. We were simply South Africans supporting our team.

This is the unique power of sport. It creates moments where differences disappear, even if only for awhile. It allows strangers to celebratetogether, comfortone another and believe in something bigger than themselves.

Sport has the abilitytounite communities around acommon purpose

South Africa has witnessedthis power before. The1995 RugbyWorld Cup remainsone of the greatest examples of

SPORTGIVEUSREASONSTO BELIEVEINONEANOTHER

sport promoting national unity. When the Springboks lifted theWebb EllisCup, it was more than asporting victory.It became asymbol of reconciliation.

Former President Nelson Mandela understood that sportcould healwounds andbuild bridges wherewords alone could not.

Sportalso inspires the next generation. Young athletes learnvaluable life skills such as discipline, teamwork, perseverance and respect.

Many children growing up in disadvantaged communitiessee successful sportsmen and women as proof thathard work anddetermination canovercome difficult circumstances.

For some, the sportsfieldbecomes a place of opportunityand hope rather than despair

However, the power of sport should not only be celebrated during victories. Defeat also teaches important lessons. Losing remindsusthat successrequires resilience, patience and continuous improvement. Bafana Bafana's recent loss may haveended the dream of lifting atrophy, but it also showed howdeeply South Africans care about theirnational team.The pain of defeat is evidence ofthe passion and unity that football continues to inspire.

As anation, we should continue investing in school sport,community facilities andathlete development.

Sporting success doesnot happen by chance. It requires proper planning, funding and support from government, businesses and communities. It requires us to recognise sport as an investment in social cohesion rather than merely entertainment.

The true value of sport cannot be measured by trophies alone.Its greatest achievementlies in itsability to unite people.

Sportgive us reasons to believe in one anotherand in the nation we are building. -KAYLYNNEBANTOM

Kommentaar // Comments

Rietvleihas more to offer

Recent discussion around thetemporaryclosure of wateractivities at Rietvlei mayhavecreated the impression that the reserveitselfwas closed. This was not the case.The area where wateractivities take placerepresents only asmallportion of Rietvlei, and it wasonlythis section that wastemporarilyclosed

The663-hectareNatureReserve remained open to the public throughout andcontinues to offer awide rangeofattractions forvisitors. Rietvlei is afavourite destination forbirdwatchers, with its well-maintained birdhideprovidingexcellent viewingopportunities.

Thereserve also offers picnic areas, line fishing (with the required permit), andeducational activities forchildren during school holidays,centred aroundthe wooden education centrebuiltand maintained by the FriendsofRietvlei.

We also host regulartalks by conservation experts on topics of environmentalinterest.Itisworth remembering that,thanks to the efforts of dedicated residents in 1984,Rietvlei wasprotected from being developed intoaresidential marina.

Today, it is atreasured natural area that supports pelicans, flamingos andaround165 other birdspecies.

In this regard,the City's Bayside Canalproject,which aimstoimprovestormwatermanagement before waterenters Rietvlei, is awelcome initiativethatwillhelp safeguard the health of this importantecosystem.

We encourageresidents to enjoyall that Rietvlei hastooffer —includingwater sports when conditions allow—while continuingtosupport the conservation of this unique natural asset forfuture generations.

Friends of Rietvlei

NELIS VISAGIE,

Call centre rises to the occasion in Maystorms

Following the devastation that followedthe storm around 11 May, it washeartwarmingtosee residents coming outtohelpthose who were most affected by the wind and torrential rain

Weather eventssuchasthisone requirethe City to be fullyoperational in handlingservicecalls and emergencycalls.Weoften rely on our residents to be our eyes on the groundalertingustoemergencies. As the Maycomember forcorporateservices, Iam extremelyproud of howour call centreagents riseto the occasion.

In Mayalone theCity's Customer Relations Department recorded atotal of 271940 customer interactions between 1and 28 May2026.Thisexceptional numberdemonstrates the high demand formunicipal services andthe importance of multiplecustomer engagementchannels.The interactions included 116 758 telephone calls, 36 990 emails, 109 125WhatsApp engagements,and 9067 SMS interactionsacrossthe City'sAccountsand General,Water,and Electricity servicequeues. Thesenumbers do not includecalls made to the 107safetyand securitynumber If youare in need of aserviceorincaseofan emergency, youcan contact the City via logginga C3

request:

Theprimarygoalofservicerequests is to ensure effectiveservicedeliverythroughoutCape Town. If you wouldliketosubmit aservicerequest,report afault in your area or loganissue, youcan do so via ourcustomer call centreat0860 103089 or online at www capetown.gov.za/servicerequests. Youcan also useour WhatsApp number060 018 1505

While we understand the distress of being, forinstance,without powerorwater,I wouldliketoremind peoplenot to lognumerous servicerequests on the same issue.Itcauses bottlenecksinthe system

As we buildaCitythatisabeaconofhope,it'salso areality that in extreme emergencysituationsthereis ahierarchyofresponses, rather like the triage system that operates in healthcarefacilities. Theaggravation of nothavingpowerina safe domestic setting has to be weighed against the risksofliveelectric wires having been blownintoroads.

Iwouldliketothank those residents who helped out their neighbours, donated food andblankets to those displaced by storm damage.Together we can indeed buildabetterfuture.

THERESA UYS, Durbanville

Advocatingfor motorcycle safety,licensing

With the petrol prices rising, most likely we will see moremotorcycles aroundasanalternativecommute option. Ican remember in the 80swhenmynow husband used to travel with his50cctovisit me,almostgot pulledoverevery daytohavehis motorcycle licencechecked.

He gotsousedtoitthathemade sure he had it with him, becauseinthose days therewas no licencecard like these days.Itseems that the only time thatweget pulledoveriswhenwetravel long distanceswith the bikes or to abikeevent

Thesecheckswillalsoclear up the general question everyone hasabout, especially the motorcycledelivery riders goingaroundand that “theysurelydonot have alicence”, becauseoftheir ridingskills Iamall forthese checkspurelyfor the fact that anyone who does nothavealicence, no matter what vehicle, should notride andshouldnot be on the road. Ialsofeel stronglyaboutthe fact that everyone who gets intoavehicletodrivealsoshouldhaveat leastthird-partyinsuranceaswell. MOTORCYCLE COMMUTER, Philadelphia

‘KIDSINRAIN’: Carima vanden Berg,aregular Vergelegen visitor with her grandchildren,won thePeople’sChoiceaward and took second placein theCameraClass category in thefourth Essenceof Vergelegen photography contest.Outstanding black-and-white photographs capturing themanyfacetsofhistoric Vergelegen Wine Estate were unveiled at afunction forthe 25 finalists on Sunday 1July.

Hierdie is ‘n abnormalewinter

Hierdie sonnigewinter maak my bekommerd. Ek het nognooit so 'n lekker winter in Kaapstad beleefnie.Waar onsgewoonlikreg deur Junie en Julie reën en koue kry, het onsvanjaar meer sonskyn, blou lugentemperature watskaars onder 15 grade daal. Op die oog af lykdit wonderlik. Wiekla oor sonskyn? Maar togisekbekommerd.Klimaatkundiges waarsku dat die somerwat kom, een vandie warmsteooit gaan wees. As dit die winter is, watwag vir onsinFebruarie? Ek is bekommerddat onsweer te doen gaan krymet droogte,brandgevaar en waterbeperkings. Dit is lekker om noubuitetekan wees en nie elke dagnat te word nie,maar onsmoet onsoëoophou Hierdie tipe winter is nie normaal nie.Enasdie natuur iets vir onsprobeer sê,moetons maar begin luister 'N KAPENAAR WATDIE WOLKE MIS, E-pos

Iamaratepayer andresident of Brackenfell, andIam furious. Without so much as aknock on ourdoors, without asingle conversation with the peoplewho live,work andpay ratesinthis area,the CityofCape Town hasgoneahead anderected informal trading bays at Jannie Engelbrecht Park,a park that ourcommunityhas maintained, used andlovedfor years. And when residents did raisetheir voices, we were told the projectwas approvedbackin2024. Nobody knew. Nobody wasasked. Nobody wastold. TheCity claims notices were delivered by hand andpublished in newspapers.

Ichallengethem to produce asingle signaturefrom aresident in this area confirmingreceipt

Anoticestuffed in aKraaifontein newspaper,a paper that is notevendistributed in Brackenfell, apparentlyqualifies as public participation in Cape Town today.

This is notdemocracy.This is the Citydoingexactly as it pleasesand dressing it up in bureaucratic languageafterward

We aretoldtotrust aprocess that excluded us. We aretoldtoaccept adecisionmade withoutus. And when we askquestions, we aremet with vague assurances.

TheDAlikes to present Cape Town as abeaconof good governance.But what kind of governance ignores its ownresidents, approves projects without proper public participation, andthen builds in the dead of night before the communitycan respond?

If this is what passes fordemocracy in Cape Town, then we have lost something farmoreimportant than apark

Cityhonoursfallenheroes

The City of Cape Town has honouredthe bravery and sacrifice of staff members who lost their lives in the lineofduty during itsannual Remembrance Day Service at the Civic Centre on Saturday4July.

CEREMONY

The annual ceremony is held alongside the memorial wall, unveiled in2017, which commemorates enforcement and emergency services personnel who died while serving their communities.

This year, the names of four additional staff members were added, bringing the total number of names on the wall to 51, datingback to 1907.

HONOURINGLIVESOFSERVICE

Executive Mayor GeordinHill-Lewis saidthe annual commemorationserves as areminder of the extraordinary commitment shown by those who dedicate their lives to protecting others.

“Every name we remember today represents alifeofservice.

“A person who chose aprofession that askedmore of them than most careers ever will.

They understood that wearing the uniform meant accepting risks thatmany people wouldnever willingly face. That choice alone deserves our respect,” said Hill-Lewis.

He said whether they served in metro police, law enforcement,Traffic Services, Fire &Rescue Service or Disaster Risk Management, they all shared acommon purpose.

“These menand women accepted a simple but profound responsibility:to protect others, even when doing so placed them in harm’s way.”

REMEMBRANCEDAY

COMMEMMORATES PUBLIC SERVANTSWHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE LINEOFDUTY

FOURNAMESADDEDTOMEMORIALWALL

The City honouredfourstaff members whosenames have now been permanently added to the memorial wall. They are:

. lawenforcement officerMogamat Shakeel Abrahams, who died in amotor vehicle accident on 17 August 2025;

. MetroPoliceNeighbourhood Safety Officer Tyler Lamb, who died on 7 November2025 after falling from aroof during astruggle with asuspectin Kensington;

.FirefighterMario Aisley, who suffered a fatalheart attack while on duty on 13 May 2026; and

.LEAP officerLyle Thomas, who was offduty when he stopped to assistatan accident sceneafter identifying himselfto police before beingstruckbyanalleged drunk driver.

ALASTINGLEGACY

The memorial wall nowbears the names of 51 City staff members who have diedin the line of duty overmore thana century, recognising their serviceand ensuring their sacrifices are notforgotten.

The ceremonyalso acknowledged staffmembers who died while off duty, including YonkePakade,Luyolo Mene, Nopinki April, Gavin du Preez and Francois Slabbert.

CALLTOSUPPORTONEANOTHER

Mayco memberfor safety andsecurity,

JP Smith, thanked City staff for their dedication and encouraged colleagues to continue supporting oneanother.

“Today is an opportunity for us to celebrateand honour members who passed in thelineofduty, but we must never lose sightofthe fact that thosewho passed off duty alsoleft an impact,were also somebody’s friend, someone’s partner, and someone’s family member.”

He urgedstaff to continue looking out for oneanother, saying that by guiding, encouraging andhelping each other,“together, we are stronger as a directorate.”

Bird flu casesclimbaspublicurged to protect seabirds

KAILINDANIELS

KAILIN.DANIELS@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

As cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonlyknown as bird flu, continue to climb across South Africa, conservation authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and help protect vulnerable seabirds by avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and reporting suspected cases.

The disease is highly contagious among birds and has resulted in significant mortality in wild bird populations.

Conservation authorities are appealing to residents and visitors to help protect both wildlife and their pets by avoiding contact with sick or dead birds.

DISEASECONTINUESTOSPREAD

HPAI is aserious and currently incurable disease in wild birds. Where infectionisconfirmed, humane euthanasia is often the most compassionate course of action to prevent unnecessary suffering and limit the spread of the virus to other birds.

CapeNature CEO Dr Ashley Naidoosaid seabirds play an important role in the health of marine andcoastalecosystems.

“Seabirds are important indicators of the health of our marine andcoastal ecosystems.“By reporting suspected cases of avianinfluenza and following safety guidelines, members of the public can support conservation agencies in responding effectively while reducing risks to wildlifeand people ”

KEEPPETSAWAY

Authorities stress that the public shouldnever touch, move or attempt to rescue sickordead birds. Dogs and other pets shouldalso be kept well away fromaffected birds to reducethe riskof exposure.

If abird is encountered, it should be observed from asafe distance without causing further disturbance.

WHATTODOIFYOUFINDABIRD

Residents who come acrosssickordead birds areencouraged to record important informationsuchasthe location, date, species (if known),the number of birds affected andany unusualbehaviour, including tremors or disorientation Photographs or videos may alsobetaken, provided the bird is notdisturbed.

Reports should then be submitted to the appropriate authority.

Live seabirds should be reported to SANCCOB on 078 638 3731, while dead seabirds canbereported using the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s online Avian Influenza Reporting Tool.

Multiple dead birds found together should be reported to the relevant municipality, CapeNature, SANParks, landowner or local stranding network for saferemoval.

Live birds of other species should be reported to the local State Veterinarian, while dead birds should be reported to the relevant conservation authority.

Authorities areappealing to residents to report sick or dead seabirds while keeping asafe distancetohelp

Although certain strains of HPAI can infect humans,infections remain rare.

Authoritiesadvise anyone who has had potential exposure to sickordead birds and later develops flu-like symptoms to seek medical advice promptly.

Conservation authorities emphasise that every report plays an important role

in monitoring the outbreak, identifying affected areas and coordinating an effective response.

By following safetyguidelines and reporting suspected cases, the publiccan help protect SouthAfrica’s seabirds, other wildlife and the country’sfragile coastal ecosystems.

MITCHELLS PLAIN SOCCER FRATERNITY REELING AFTERYOUNG PLAYER DIES

MID-GAME

Youngfootballerdies

KAILINDANIELS

KAILIN.DANIELS@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA

The MitchellsPlainfootball community is reeling after20-year-old Standards United FC player Naeem Toyerdied during aSecond Division League fixture at the Westridge Sports Complex on Saturday 4July.

The Local Football Association (LFA) MitchellsPlain confirmed thatplayers, officialsand spectators were left inshock following the incident, which occurred during active match play.

According to LFA Mitchells Plain, match officials, club representatives, first-aid personnel and members ofthe Local Executive Committee responded immediately when the incident occurred on the field Emergency medical assistance was requested and all possible efforts were made to assist the young player. Despite these interventions, Toyer sadly died.

The matter has been formally recorded through the relevant matchand incident reports, the association said in a statement.

FOOTBALLFRATERNITYINMOURNING

The LFA Mitchells Plain expressed deep sorrow at the loss, extendingcondolences to the player’sfamily, teammates and the wider Standards United FC community.

“TheLocal Executive Committee, member clubs, players, officials and the entire football fraternity ofLFA Mitchells Plain aredeeply saddened by the tragic passing of Mr Naeem Toyer,” the association said.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences

20-YEAR-OLD PASSES AWAY WHILE ‘PLAYING THE GAME HE LOVED’

to Naeem’s parents, family, friends, teammates, coachesand the entire Standards UnitedFootball Club community duringthisextremely difficult time.”

The association said the loss of ayoung life hadleft thefootball family “shocked andheartbroken”, with grieffelt across allclubs andsupporters in the region.

TRIBUTESPOURIN

Messagesoftribute andcondolences have alsostarted to flood social media platforms, with clubs andmembers of thefootball community expressing their sympathy

Among them, YaknockaSoccerClub expressed itscondolences, saying: “Itis withdeep sadness as we send outour heartfelt condolencestoStandards United FC andthe family andfriends of one of their players Mr Naeem Toyer. Naeem passed on yesterday while playing the gameheloved. Rest in peace, Naeem.”

Other clubs andsupporters across Mitchells Plainhave alsoshared messages of support, mourning the loss of theyoung player.

TygerBurger reached out to theclub on Sundayafternoon where the club confirmed Toyerpassed away while playing on the field during the matchon Saturday. At thetime of print, thecause of death remainsunknown.