Tuesday, 10th of February, 2026
Today’s Headlines
- City warns limited policing powers are allowing violent crime to keep spreading.
- R131 billion infrastructure pipeline moves closer to construction across the Western Cape.
- Bonteheuwel shaken after second fatal stabbing of a woman in less than a week.
- City considers artificial intelligence traffic cameras to target seatbelt and cellphone offences.
- Oosthuizen ranks Perth Sevens triumph among top moments of his career.
- From Hanover Street honours District Six memories sixty years on.
- Warm, humid and partly cloudy conditions expected across the metro tomorrow.
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City warns limited policing powers are allowing violent crime to keep spreading.
The City of Cape Town has renewed its call for expanded policing powers, warning that the absence of devolved investigative authority for municipal law enforcement is undermining efforts to curb violent crime linked to gangs, illegal firearms, and drugs. The renewed appeal comes as national focus turns to crime and security ahead of the State of the Nation Address, with City leaders arguing that existing structures are failing communities most affected by violence.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said municipal officers are already removing hundreds of illegal firearms from the streets each year, yet conviction rates in gun and drug-related cases remain dangerously low. He attributed this gap to the fact that metro police and law enforcement officers are unable to assist fully with investigations or the preparation of prosecution-ready case dockets. According to the mayor, arrests alone are not enough if cases fail to progress through the criminal justice system.
Hill-Lewis said national government has the authority to address the issue by strengthening the capacity of the South African Police Service and introducing statutory reforms that would allow limited investigative powers to be devolved to municipal police services. He argued that this would enable City officers to work alongside police investigators and prosecutors, helping to ensure evidence is properly gathered, cases are correctly compiled, and offenders are held accountable in court.
The City has sought engagement with the acting police minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia, during the SONA period but has not yet secured a follow-up meeting. Hill-Lewis said the City remains open to dialogue but is also considering legal options should the matter continue to stall. He added that communities experiencing the daily impact of gang violence cannot afford further delays or political indecision.
Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith echoed these concerns, saying municipal law enforcement could significantly ease pressure on the criminal justice system if allowed to play a broader role. He pointed to pilot initiatives elsewhere in the country, noting that the lack of similar timelines for Cape Town has raised long-standing concerns about unequal treatment. City officials say they are now looking to the President to provide clarity and direction, warning that crime is continuing to outpace enforcement capacity under the current framework.
Source: IOL – Murray Swart
R131 billion infrastructure pipeline moves closer to construction across the Western Cape.
Thousands of jobs are expected to be created as the Western Cape accelerates delivery across its R131 billion infrastructure pipeline, with major projects across health, education, transport, water, energy, and economic development moving closer to construction. Provincial officials say the focus has shifted from planning and announcements to disciplined execution, aimed at ensuring projects deliver tangible economic and social benefits.
The Infrastructure Ministerial Committee met with a directive to fast-track projects that are ready to break ground, improve coordination across government departments, and ensure funding is properly aligned with delivery. According to the provincial government, the Single Integrated Infrastructure Pipeline includes 52 priority projects identified for accelerated implementation, with several large and catalytic developments progressing steadily through defined delivery stages.
In the health sector, preparatory work continues on the new Tygerberg Central Hospital public-private partnership, with officials focused on meeting procurement and regulatory requirements before construction can begin. Planning is also advancing on two new regional hospitals in the Cape Town metro. Funding has been secured to continue planning for one facility, while professional teams have been appointed to move the second project forward.
Education infrastructure projects are already taking shape on the ground. Construction is under way at the Manenberg School of Skills following site handover, while the Sunningdale Primary School project is progressing to address rapid learner growth in the area. The Dal Josaphat Primary School replacement project is also advancing and is expected to significantly expand learner capacity once completed.
The Department of Infrastructure reports that hundreds of provincial public works projects are currently under construction or nearing completion across schools, health facilities, and government buildings throughout the province. Integrated infrastructure investment work is also under way, packaging priority projects for blended finance, private-sector participation, and development finance support to speed up delivery amid ongoing fiscal constraints.
Bulk water security and energy resilience projects are being coordinated through collaboration with the Water and Energy Council, with the aim of aligning long-term planning with broader infrastructure roll-out and economic development. Provincial leaders say the emphasis remains on removing bottlenecks, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring infrastructure investment translates into visible progress, job creation, and long-term economic resilience across the Western Cape.
Source: IOL – Murray Swart
Another woman fatally stabbed in Bonteheuwel, the second in less than a week.
A woman has been fatally stabbed in Bonteheuwel following a domestic altercation, marking the second such killing in the area in less than a week and deepening concerns about violence against women in the community. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday when police responded to a stabbing at a home in Loganberry Street.
Provincial police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said the victim, 58-year-old Louisa van Sensie, was injured during an argument involving her husband and a 25-year-old man who was known to the household. Reports indicate that the suspect arrived at the home looking for a friend who was asleep. When the victim’s husband refused to wake the friend, the situation escalated into a violent confrontation.
During the altercation, the suspect allegedly attacked the husband with a knife. The victim attempted to intervene and stop the fight but was stabbed in the shoulder. Both the victim and the suspect were taken to hospital. Van Sensie was declared dead on arrival, while the suspect, who was also injured, remains under police guard while receiving medical treatment.
Ward 50 councillor Angus McKenzie described the killing as extremely sad and shocking, saying the victim was known in the community and had previously visited his office. He said the incident raises serious questions about how women are being treated and called for a broader conversation around violence against women.
The stabbing follows another fatal incident in Bonteheuwel last week, where a woman identified as Shireena Birsch was killed. In that case, her husband was arrested and is due to appear in the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court for a formal bail application. McKenzie said letters have been submitted to court in both cases requesting that bail be denied, emphasising the need for accountability and justice.
Source: Athlone News – Marsha Bothma
Cape Town considers artificial intelligence traffic cameras for seatbelt and cellphone offences.
Cape Town motorists may soon face stricter enforcement as the City considers rolling out artificial intelligence-powered traffic cameras capable of detecting seatbelt and cellphone offences. Traffic officials say the technology has already been piloted on Phillip Kokozana Drive and has demonstrated the ability to identify multiple violations simultaneously, even in moving traffic.
Traffic Services spokesperson Kevin Jacobs said the system tracks vehicles, geolocates them, and captures high-resolution images of suspected offences. These images are then reviewed by trained officials before any penalties are issued, ensuring that enforcement decisions are not made automatically or without verification.
The pilot project, which began in December 2024, was conducted in partnership with the Road Traffic Management Corporation and focused on testing the quality, accuracy, and reliability of the equipment. Jacobs said the technology does not operate independently and that each potential infringement is assessed to confirm that a violation has occurred.
Approval from the National Prosecuting Authority is still required before the system can be implemented citywide. Once authorised, the rollout would form part of a nationally coordinated effort to improve road safety, reduce distracted driving, and encourage compliance with basic traffic laws. City officials believe the technology could play a significant role in lowering accident rates and improving overall behaviour on Cape Town’s roads.
Source: The Voice of the Cape – VOC News
Oosthuizen ranks Perth Sevens triumph among top moments of his career.
Ryan Oosthuizen says South Africa’s dramatic Perth Sevens victory ranks among the top five moments of his rugby career, not because of individual accolades but because of the accountability shown by the team. The Blitzboks edged Fiji 21–19 in a tense final to claim their second title of the 2026 series, following their emotional victory in Cape Town in December.
Oosthuizen delivered a standout performance in the final, scoring two tries and earning player of the match honours. However, he said the result was built on honest reflection after frustration in previous tournaments, particularly in Singapore, where individual errors disrupted the team’s structure and execution.
The 30-year-old, who played in his 60th World Series tournament in Perth, said the squad held difficult conversations and recognised that they had been their own worst enemy. He admitted that consecutive narrow defeats to Fiji in earlier matches had created personal frustration and added motivation heading into the final.
Oosthuizen said the Blitzboks are focused on building the best sevens system in the world and believe they are moving in the right direction. With upcoming tournaments in Vancouver and New York before the series concludes with championship events later in the season, he said the team remains committed to maintaining standards and continuing their upward trajectory.
Source: SuperSport – Rugby Desk
From Hanover Street concert marks 60 years since District Six removals.
A special concert marking 60 years since the forced removals from District Six is currently being staged in Cape Town. From Hanover Street uses music and storytelling to bring to life the memories, culture, and voices of a community that was displaced but remains central to the city’s history and identity.
The performance centres on a single evocative song that captures the emotions and lived experiences of those who once called District Six home. Through carefully crafted lyrics and narration, the production reflects on family life, neighbourhood bonds, and the lasting impact of forced removals on generations that followed.
Organisers describe the concert as both a tribute to history and a celebration of heritage, offering audiences an immersive experience that connects past and present. Every note and lyric is designed to resonate with themes of loss, resilience, and belonging, reminding audiences that the story of District Six continues to shape Cape Town today.
The concert runs from 10 to 15 February at the Artscape Theatre Centre, with evening performances during the week and matinee and evening shows over the weekend. Tickets start from R200 and bookings are available through Events Cape Town.
Source: Events Cape Town – Event Listing
Financial Markets:
Warm, humid and partly cloudy conditions expected across the metro.
Tomorrow will be partly cloudy across Cape Town and the winelands, with warm temperatures and high humidity making conditions uncomfortable at times. Cape Town is expected to reach a high of 25°C with a low of 21°C, while Paarl climbs to 31°C and Stellenbosch peaks at 26°C. Skies remain partly cloudy throughout the day with no rain expected, but humidity around 90 percent will keep the air heavy.
A south-south-easterly wind of around 20 kilometres an hour will move along the coast, with a west-running swell of approximately 1.2 metres at an 11-second period. Low tide is just after four in the morning, followed by a high tide late morning and another low tide in the early evening. Sunrise is at 06:18 and sunset at 19:42.
Source: South African Weather Service
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TODAY’S NEWS SOURCES:
City News – IOL – Murray Swart
Provincial News – IOL – Murray Swart
Crime Report – Athlone News – Marsha Bothma
Traffic Updates – The Voice of the Cape – VOC News
WP Sports – SuperSport – Rugby Desk
Local Events – Events Cape Town – Event Listing
Weather – South African Weather Service
MONEY MARKET SOURCES:
Currencies: FNB FX – FirstRand Bank Ltd
Commodities: Goldbroker.com – Gold Broker Ltd
Crypto Market: Binance.com – Binance Holdings Ltd
CTNews will continue to track these stories and bring updates as new information becomes available. For the latest bulletin remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel and visit ctnews.co.za for daily coverage and special features
Chief News Editor: Mark Botes-Lashmar
Written by: CTNews team
Publisher: Cape Town News
Region: Cape Town and Western Cape, South Africa
Contact: editorial@ctnews.co.za
