Residents across the Blaauwberg area, including Table View, Parklands, Milnerton and as faras Melkbosstrand, voiced concern last week after alarge flare lit up the sky abovethe Astron Energyrefinery on Koeberg Road
Many reported astrong paraffin-like smelllingering in the air, while others complained of burning eyes and irritation.
Social media platforms were flooded with questions and complaints on Wednesday evening(3June)and Thursday morning (4 June) as residents sought answers about thevisible flare andaccompanying odour.
STRONGSMELLACROSSTHEAREA
While the flare was clearly visible from severalsuburbs, many residents said it was the smell that caused the greatest concern.
Several residents claimed the odour driftedacrosslarge parts of the West Coast
SOCIAL MEDIA FLOODED WITH COMPLAINTS
and Blaauwberg region overnight, with some reporting headaches, sore throats and eye irritation.
Others living closer to the refinerysaid noise and emissions from the facility have been along-standing concern.
ASTRONEXPLAINSINCIDENT
In astatement on Wednesday 3June, Astron Energy said: “The refinery experienced aprocess unit upset, which led to visible emission from the elevated flare as safetysystems activated. As a result,there may be increased noise and visible emissions from the flare as we stabilise the process unit.”
Thecompany apologised for any inconvenience caused and thanked residentsfor theirunderstanding while normal operations were restored.
Cityofficesand homessearched
The police's commercial crime investigation unitconducted search and seizure operations on Thursday morning as part of an ongoinginvestigation involving aformer contractor of the City of Cape Town, Triple CMaintenance and Services.
Actingonsearchand seizure warrants, according to police spokesman Col Andrè Traut, investigators executed operations at multiple residentialproperties, as well as aCity of Cape Town office.
"During theoperation, 21 cellular telephonesand nine laptopswere seized for forensic investigation,together with otherpotentialevidential material relevanttothe case," said Traut.
The addresses of three Cityofficials andMayco memberfor finance, Siseko Mbandezi, were searched, as well as that of private individuals linked to the investigation.However, the City indicated that theMayor hasnot received any indication from the policethat the search and seizure relatestowrongdoing of the Maycomember directly, rather than ongoing evidence buildingfor the trial of thecontractor andothers.
PROBEINTOFRAUD,CORRUPTION
AccordingtoTraut, the investigation extendsbeyond the municipal environmentand forms part of abroader probe into allegedfraud, corruption and relatedoffences.
"It follows asting operation that ledtothe arrestofthe owner of the company after he allegedly handed over asubstantial amount of cash to the City manager as inducement," says Traut
Accordingtothe City of Cape Town, the City manager worked with the police in thestingoperation that resulted in the arrestofthe ownerofthe business.
FROMPAGE1
Astron furtheradvised residents that queriesorcomplaints could be submitted via SMS.
ONGOINGHEALTHCONCERNS
For some residents living near the refinery, the incident reignited concerns about potential health impacts.
Residentsinsurrounding suburbs have previously raisedconcerns about air quality, noise and emissions from refinery operations.
Some community members said they wouldlike greater transparency regarding incidentsthatresult in visible flaring or unusualodours.
Byron Granger from Table View said: “Thesmell was incredibly strong when I stepped outside this morning. It smelled like paraffin and my eyes started burning almostimmediately.”
David Thompson from Melkbosstrand said: “Eventhis far away we could smell it. At first we thoughttherewas afire somewherenearby because the odour was so strong. Theflare was impossible to miss. It lit up the sky andnaturally people were worriedbecause we didn't know what had happened.”
Andre Petersenfrom Milnerton Ridge said: “Weoften hearloudnoises from the refineryand incidents like this always raise concernsabout what residentsare being exposed to.”
Michelle Adams from Rugby said: “I woke up with aheadacheand the smell was still hanging in the air. We would appreciatemore communication whenever somethinglike this happens.”
While Astron Energy stressed that theflare resulted from safety systems activating as designed, many residents said they hoped for continued communication from the company regardingthe incident andany potential environmentalorhealth impacts. For now, residents will be watching closely as refinery operations return to normal and awaiting furtherupdatesfrom Astron Energy.
MAJOR PROBEINTO CITY CONTRACTS
"During the staged encounter, the suspect allegedly handed the City Manager R1,4 million in cash. Thepayment was purportedly offered as abribe in exchange for assistance in retaining the vendor’s contracts with the City," says aCity spokesperson.
Theongoing investigation is being conducted jointly by police and the City of Cape Town’sethics and forensics department.
"Theprogress made thus far reinforces the importance of amultidisciplinary approach in uncovering and addressing complex collusive fraud and corruption schemes involving both public officials and private individuals,"says Traut."As the investigation remains active, the police will not comment further on specific evidential aspects of the matter at this stage. No arrests were effected during the operations. Further action will be guided by the evidence gathered and the outcome of ongoing investigations."
TheCityfurther stated it is supporting the ongoing police investigation in the matter.
"Theinvestigation also extends beyond the municipal sphere, with search and seizure operations conducted on several external parties."
"TheCityfurther took decisive action to terminate all contracts held by the contractor in question, Triple C Maintenance and Services. Contingency measures were put in place for continuity of service on thiscontract work, including road maintenance, resurfacing and stormwater infrastructure."
MyCiTiannounces fare adjustments from 1July
MyCiTifares willbeadjusted from 1Julyaspart of the City’sannual budget process.
TheCitysaysthe latest increaseisnecessarydue to significant and ongoing rises in global fuel prices. It noted that thesecostpressures have previously been absorbed to protect passengers from immediatefarehikes.
Whilefares willincrease,the City emphasised that tariffsmay stillbeadjusteddownwardduring thefinancial year if thereare sustained reductionsin diesel prices, to ensurepassengers do not overpay. Thenew fare structureisexpected to be formally adopted when Council approvesthe 2026-'27 Budgeton29June
Despitethe increases, officials sayMyCiTi remains asafeand affordabletransport option, with the monthlypass continuing to offer valuefor regular commuters travelling longer distances.
Moverfares by distance band (peak andsaver rates) willalsoincrease, ranging from R15 (0–5km saverfare) to R52,50 (60km+ peak fare). Peak fares applyonweekdaysduringmorning andafternoon rushhours, while saverfares apply at allother times, includingweekends and public holidays.
For Andrew and Matthew Naudé, kickboxing has always been a shared journey. The twins, learners at Sunningdale PrimarySchool, have been selected forthe South AfricanNational Kickboxing Squad andwill represent the country at the WAKO World Youth Kickboxing Championships in Jesolo,Italy, in September. The achievementfollows years of
the brothers
compete at the world championships and proudly represent SouthAfrica on the international stage.
Doctorsjoinscleftsurgerymission
Two Blouberg residents were among ateam of volunteers who helped provide life-changing cleftsurgeries to children during arecentOperation Smile South Africa programmeat Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg.
The volunteer-led initiative saw a specialist team of 50 volunteersdeliver surgeries for 40 children with cleft conditions fromGauteng andsurrounding provinces between 29 and 31 May.
The programme comes as the United Nations marks2026 as the International YearofVolunteers, recognising the important contribution volunteersmake in communitiesaround the world
FAMILYAFFAIR
Blouberg anaesthesiologist Dr Neville Botha participated in his15th Operation Smile programmesince joining the organisation in 2010. His volunteer work has taken him to countries including Morocco,Madagascar, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This year, however, the experience was particularly special as he was joined by his daughter, Bianca Botha,onher first programme.
Afinal-year psychologystudent at the University of Cape Town, Bianca volunteeredaspart of the OperationSmile StudentProgramme, working alongside clinical teams to help preparechildrenand caregivers forsurgery.
GIVINGBACK
Also volunteering was Jaqueline Toerin, who manages asurf shop during the week andtook part in her thirdOperationSmile SouthAfrica programme as amedical records volunteer.
BLOUBERGDUO JOIN OPERATION SMILE TEAM AT NELSONMANDELAHOSPITAL
Toerin said one of the mostrewarding aspects of the experienceisseeing caregivers connect andsupport one anotheraftertheir childrenundergo surgery.
She hasalso embraced anotherway of giving back. Inspired by afellow volunteer, Toerin spends downtime during surgical weekends knittingblanket squares that are later turned into blankets forpatients. Shehas encouraged other volunteers to join her, turning the activity into ashared act of kindness.
CELEBRATING20YEARS
This year's programme coincides with OperationSmile South Africa's 20th anniversary.
Since 2006, theorganisation hasbuilt anetwork of more than150 active volunteers who havehelped deliver thousands of cleft surgeries across South Africa andsub-Saharan Africa.
The milestonealigns with the United Nations' declaration of this yearas the International Year of Volunteers, highlighting the role volunteers playin strengtheninghealthcare systems and communities worldwide
CHANGINGLIVES
Among thevolunteers wasLife Healthcare ChiefPeople OfficerAvanthi Parboosing.
“Every child deserves the chance to smile, speak and feel they belong –without ridicule or judgement,”saidParboosing
“Engaging with the mothers and children as they're screened, manyfilled with anxietyand hopefor life-changing surgery, is incredibly moving.It'sapowerful reminderofhow much thismoment means to familieswho have waited so long.
“I’m immensely proud of Life Healthcare for supportinganinitiativethat makes such areal and tangible difference. It speaksofthe heartofwho we are and what we do: making life better. This work is truly life changing.”
BUILDINGSUSTAINABLECARE
Beyond delivering surgery, Operation Smile South Africa also focuses on skills transferand training to ensure healthcare workers receive mentoring and support
during and beyond surgical programmes.
“Our long-term goal is to build sustainability, so that specialised cleft care can happen within the publichealth system –whether we are thereornot,” said Sarah Scarth, Executive Director of Operation Smile SouthAfrica. She said children with cleft conditions could otherwise wait years for surgery.
“Without theseinterventions, children with cleft conditions may have to wait yearsfor the chance to receive lifechanging surgery. We are incredibly grateful to the medical volunteerswho generously give theirtime and expertise to help change the lives of children and families.”
Blouberg residents played aroleinchanging young liveswhen they volunteeredwithOperation SmileSouth AfricaatNelsonMandela Children’sHospital,where40children received cleftsurgery
WATDIE HARTVAN VOLIS
Goeie Suid-Afrikaners moetwakker skrik
voor dit te laat is
Op ’nstraathoek in Stellenbosch sien ek die vrou. Elke dag sit of staan sy daar om haar verestoffers te verkoop, maaknie saak wat die weersomstandighedeisnie Sy hetnie eens ’n stoel nie, dus as sy wil sit, sitsyopdie sypaadjie. Langs Stellenbosch Arterialstaan ’n andereen en smous lemoene. Geen beskutting teen die elemente nie, maar getrou staan sy daar in diehoop dat iemand gaan stilhou.
By die busstop in Hindle-weg sukkel die vrou om die vuurtjieaan die gang te kry waarop sy mielies braai om te verkoop. Tussen haar bene is ’n kind wat onlangs ontdek het sy kan loop en wat hierdie nuwe vaardigheid vir almalwil wys. Die ma sukkel om diekindendie vuur te beheer
Wathet hierdie drie vroue in gemeen? Al drie is buitelandse vroue.
Iewers in Afrika het hulle daardie besluit geneem om hul heilnaderaan die Suidpunt te kom soek. In dielandvan Mandela, diesogenaamde reënboognasie, wat na 1994 as hierdie ligpunt in ’n Donker Afrikavoorgehou is.
Suid-Afrika, is daar gesê, isnie soos anderlande in Afrika wat deur despote regeer word en kort na bevryding tot so ’n mate verval het dat die volk terug verlang na die vleispottevan Egiptenie Mzansi was hierdie fakkel van hoopvir sy mense, maar ookvir diegene van elders wat gehoop hetomnet ’n stukkie van die beloofte reënboog te kon besit.
MZANSIWASHIERDIEFAKKEL VANHOOPVIRSYMENSE
Dit is net meer as 30 jaar nadatons verklaar het: Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last Maar daardieswaar gewonne vryheid het ook aan die korruptes onder ons die vryheid gegee om te maak en breek en steel net soos hulle wil.
Ek hoef dit seker nie weerhier te herhaalnie, maar bykans alles is verwoes en dit wat nie verwoes konword nieis gesteel en dit wat nie gesteelkon word nieistot so ’n mateverlam dat ditniks beteken vir die gewone manopstraat nie. Ons landisgekorrupteer totindie hoogste gesag van die polisie, die instansie watdaar is om vir ons te veg wanneer ons nie kan nie.
Aan die begin het ek die Madlangakommissieslaafs gevolg, maar watdaar uitkom is om van siek te word. Nie een van die top leiersindie polisieis onbesmet nie en dit is om van naarte word.
Maar wat het al hierdie dinge te doen met die drievroue wat hulself elke dag aan die elemente blootstel om ’n verestoffer,’nsakkie lemoene of ’n mielie te verkoop?
Hulle kom uit lande in Afrika wat deur hul eie leiers bankrot gesteel is. So erg gaan dit in hul lande dat hulle in’n vreemde land langs ’n pad kom staan om sommige dae net genoeg te maak om ’n brood te koop en ander dae niks.Hulle is blootgestel aan misdaad wat’ngegewe is wanneer jy lank genoeg op straatinSuidAfrika rondhang.
Suid-Afrika is nog nie daar nie, wil ek glo. Ons het nog nie diepuntbereikwaar diemeeste mense eerder ’n straatverkoper in ’n ander land gaan wees eerder as omte glo dat dinge in hul eie landgaanverbeter nie.
Maar dit kan maklik gebeur as ons sluimer of slaap, veral as ons glo dat hierdie probleem nie joune ofmyne is nie, maar iemand anders s’n. Soos die Engelsman sê, evil flourishes when good men do nothing Ek glo daar is genoeg goeies daarbuite?
-BRENDENRUITER
Kommentaar // Comments
OVERBERGDETOUR: Where the road
PHOTO:CARINAROUX
BRIEWE|LETTERS
Whyisstatue hidden
Last week we went to visit the newstatueinLoxton Park. We were very excited anddrove our two huskies there.
Thestatue of the man on the horsewas hidden away at theback of the park, almost invisible. One wouldn’t knowitwas thereinpassing unless youknew aboutitinadvance or livedinthe area.Astheysay
“out of sight out of mind”
Ijust couldn’t help wonderingwhy it wasnot setmoreprominently. Did someone notdotheir homework, discuss it with the public or thoughtof alternatives?
away?
Statues aremade to be seen,admired, photographed, debated andattract people.
It couldhavebeen closer to the road, maybe even by the oldWoodbridgeislandnexttothe wooden bridge.
Our original excitementturned to disappointment andeither theplaquewas stolen or did notexist.We nevernoticed detailsastothe purpose of the statue, only asign warningofspikes.
Isincerely hope that oneday it is movedand becomes an attraction, notahidden gem.
AGIORFANOS, Email
Watsêdok?
Met Jeugdag op 16 Junie hierdie maanddeel ek graag die legendariese dr.Danie Craven se gedagtes uit sy gelukwenseenboodskapuit die boekie Ontspanningsklub, Paarl, 1939 tot1961 As voorsittervan die SA Komiteevir Jeugdiens en liggaamlikeopvoeding, lees ek onder meer in die woorde vanDok:“Baie vanons moeilikhede,baie van onsmisdade,baie vanons siektes, baie vanons onbekwaamhede,baie vanons gebrokehuise, salverdwyn indien gesonde ontspanning sy regmatigeplekinons gemeenskaps- en volksleweinneem.” HJ GERBER,Paarl
Belastingbetalers se geld word gemors
Belastingbetalers behoort in opstandtekom as dieStadhul geld mors. 'n Goeie voorbeeldisJack Mullerpark. Vandateksewejaar gelede teruggekom het, is hulleal besig om aan die noord-grondpaadjie te werk. Twee/drie keer per jaar kom'ngroep werkers die noordpaadjie "regmaak" omdat dit oorstroom. Hulle woeker,rynuwekoffieklipinenonlangs is nuwe rands-
tene ingemessel om die probleem te probeer oplos Enigeen met 'n bietjie kennissal egtersien die probleem lê niebydie paadjie nie, maar by die verstopte (yster?) -pype watvan bo af komendie paadjie oorstroom. Bruin slymwaterfiltreer dan oor die stappaadjie Nouhet hulleweer die paadjie opgekap wat'npaar
weke gelede aangebring is! Viralons geld wathulle deur die jaregemors het,kon hulle al vier keer nuwe pype ingesit het,die paadjie boontoe,buitedie filtreergebied, verskuif het en die heleongelyk paadjie rondomdie park gesement het.Waar is die kennis heen? WAARNEMER,Bellville
TV REPAIRS since1986 for40yearspeopletrust us with their TV's Whyshouldn’t you?
WPUBLICPARTICIPATION PROCESS APPLICATION FORENVIRONMENTALAUTHORISATION
Notice is herebygiven in terms of Regulation41(2) of GovernmentNotice R. 982ofthe 2014 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations,asamendedon7April2017,promulgatedintermsoftheNationalEnvironmentalManagementAct(Act107of1998).
Phakanani Environmental has been appointed by MotheeConsulting, on behalf of Telkom SA SOC Limited, theapplicant, as the independent EnvironmentalAssessment Practitioner(EAP)tofacilitateand overseethe EnvironmentalImpactAssessment (EIA) process forthe proposeddevelopmentof a55MW solarphotovoltaic(PV)facility, a132KV transmissionline anda 300 MWhbattery energy storagesystem on Farm Radio918,CapeRoad, withinthe jurisdiction of theCityofCapeTownMunicipality,WesternCape Province
Sitecoordinates:33°41'1.24"S18°42'40.49"E
The general purpose and utilizationof thefacility is to generate andtransmitsolar energy,whilethe BatteryEnergyStorage System (BESS) willsaveand storeexcesselectricaloutputasitisgenerated.The site is 78.5 ha portion withinthe Central Corridor in terms of thetransmissioncorridors,thusabasicassessmentprocessisapplicable
Any interested member of thepublicwishing to commentorformallyobjecttothe above-mentioned projectisinvited to register as an interested and a�ected party. Kindly forwardcomments by sending namesand contactdetails (email,cell, postal addresswith reasons) and an indicationofonlyenvironmental-relatedissuesorother interestregarding the proposedproject within 30 days of publishingthisnotice.
C conf the Natio Thurs 20 Stad Association the part structure Hockey provides the to Pro internationa an international South France, Malaysia, through Hockey Ireland following in League the to country’s of Potchefstroo
Uitslae verskil vir skole
Die Hoërskool Durbanville se eerste rugbyspan het Saterdag weinig moeite ondervind om Melklbosstrand se kop in die grond te vryf op pad na ‘n wegholsege in die jongstereeks wedstryde.
Dit is die tweede agtereenvolgende jaar dat die Melkbossers aapstert van die Durbies kry–hierdie slag met 71-0 deur middel van nie minder nie as elf drieë.
Buurman Stellenberg was in ‘n ewe afknoubare bui deur Bishops se doellyn nege keer oor te steek vir ‘n wegholsege vir ‘n wentelling van 59-5.
Dit is die Stellies se derde agtereenvolgende afrekening van die besoekers.
Maar met die Tygerberg se ander voorste spanne het dit maar kop onderstebo gegaan.
HS Bellville het 17-38 teen Wynberg Boys’ High in die hek geduik, Milnerton het ‘n afranseling van 63-7 van Rondebosch Boys’ High gekry en HS Tygerberg het skande gemaak in sy nederlaag van 5-52 by die HS Swartland op Malmesbury. In ‘n vreeslike kwaai tweestryd het die Tygerbergklub dit net-net deurgetrek teen die span van Scottsville met ‘n broekskeur sege van 19-17.
