Monday, 16th of March, 2026
Today’s Headlines
- Government Blocks Tafelberg Redevelopment Plans After Heritage Concerns
- Cape Town Battles R44.5 Million Electrical Theft And Vandalism Across The Metro
- Animal Rescue Founder Faces Multiple Charges After SPCA Cruelty Investigation
- Easter Travel Alert As Cape Town To Johannesburg Flight Prices Rise
- Stormers Beat Bulls At Loftus With Strong Second Half URC Victory
- Southern Africa Oil And Gas Conference Opens At Century City
- Cloudy Skies And Mild Temperatures Expected Across The Western Cape
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Western Cape Government Sent Back To Drawing Board Over Tafelberg Development
A long-running battle over the future of the Tafelberg site in Sea Point (See Point) has taken another turn after Heritage Western Cape halted the current redevelopment proposal and sent the provincial government back to revise its plans.
The prominent Sea Point property has been at the centre of public debate for more than a decade, largely because of calls from housing activists to use the land for affordable housing in the Atlantic Seaboard. The Western Cape Government previously proposed selling the property to the Phyllis Jowell Jewish Day School for R135 million in 2015, a decision that triggered strong opposition from housing organisations including Ndifuna Ukwazi and Reclaim the City.
The dispute ultimately reached the Constitutional Court, where judgment in the case has still not been delivered more than a year after the hearing.
At a recent Heritage Western Cape meeting, officials confirmed that the site carries formal provincial heritage status. The property includes historically significant structures such as the original Tafelberg School building, Wynyard Mansions, and mature tree avenues that contribute to the area’s historic character.
The Department of Infrastructure presented a Heritage Impact Assessment outlining plans to divide the site into three development parcels. The proposal includes an eight-storey mixed-use building containing open-market residential units with retail space on the ground floor, alongside two four-storey social housing blocks centred around a communal courtyard.
However, heritage authorities raised several concerns during deliberations. These included the treatment of the historic school building, which is earmarked for use by the Department of Social Development but was not sufficiently addressed in the impact assessment.
Following public objections, the development scale has already been reduced from an earlier proposal of eleven storeys and four hundred and eighty-one units to eight storeys with approximately four hundred and forty units.
Heritage Western Cape said a final decision will only be made once a full spatial development framework and consultation process are completed.
Source: Cape {town} Etc – Matthew Hirsch / GroundUp
City Of Cape Town Battles R44.5 Million Surge In Electrical Infrastructure Theft
The City of Cape Town says it has already spent more than R44.5 million this financial year repairing electrical infrastructure damaged by theft and vandalism.
According to the City’s Energy Directorate, the cost reflects the situation as of January this year, only halfway through the financial year, highlighting the growing financial burden caused by criminal damage to public infrastructure.
City officials say the ongoing vandalism and theft of cables, transformers and other electrical equipment not only drains public funds but also creates serious safety risks for communities.
Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Xanthea Limberg, warned that the situation has reached unsustainable levels, with funds that could have been used for system upgrades or maintenance instead being redirected to emergency repairs.
To combat the problem, the City has introduced a range of counter-measures. These include undergrounding electrical cables where possible, replacing copper cables with less valuable materials, installing anti-vandalism technology on vulnerable infrastructure, and targeting illegal scrapyards suspected of trading stolen metals.
Despite these efforts, officials say infrastructure is often vandalised again shortly after repairs are completed.
The City spent roughly R76.3 million in the previous financial year alone on electricity infrastructure maintenance and replacement linked to theft and vandalism.
Cape Town’s public lighting network remains one of the largest municipal systems in South Africa, with more than 245,000 streetlights across the metro. The City has allocated a capital budget of R75.5 million for streetlight upgrades during the current financial year.
Authorities have also launched a public awareness campaign called Protect Your Power, encouraging residents to report illegal connections and suspicious activities linked to cable theft.
Officials say community cooperation will be essential in curbing what has become a persistent and costly problem across many Cape Town neighbourhoods.
Source: IOL – Staff Reporter
Animal Cruelty Charges Filed Against K9 Patrol Pet Army Founder
Serious animal cruelty charges have been brought against the founder of the K9 Patrol Pet Army organisation and a co-accused following an investigation by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
Jamie Pieterse and Marizelle Swanepoel appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court where they face a total of eleven criminal charges related to alleged mistreatment of animals and other offences linked to their operations.
The charges include five counts under the Animals Protection Act, two counts under the City of Cape Town Animal Keeping By-Law for keeping unsterilised dogs older than six months and exceeding the permitted number of animals on a residential property. Additional charges include one count under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, two counts of fraud and one charge relating to the alleged violation of bail conditions.
The case stems from a raid conducted by SPCA inspectors in May last year after investigators obtained a warrant from the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court. Inspectors acted on complaints and evidence suggesting animals were being kept in conditions that violated animal welfare laws.
During the raid, officials discovered several dogs tethered on short chains or ropes that restricted their movement and prevented access to clean drinking water. Puppies were also found confined in small enclosures, including one case where a dog had been tied to a tap inside a confined pen.
SPCA inspectors removed thirteen dogs, eight puppies, one cat and several containers of fish from the property. The animals were placed under the care of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA where they received veterinary treatment and rehabilitation.
Investigators say the case was strengthened by video evidence showing Pieterse allegedly attempting to treat a dog’s torn ear using super glue and aloe without cleaning the wound or providing pain relief or antibiotics.
The SPCA has also warned the public about making direct donations to individuals claiming to run animal rescue organisations, after investigators discovered funds were allegedly paid into a personal bank account.
The case has been postponed until April 15th while further investigations continue.
Source: IOL – Chevon Booysen
Easter Travel Costs Rise As Fuel Surcharge Hits Cape Town–Johannesburg Flights
Travellers planning to fly between Cape Town and Johannesburg during the Easter holiday period may need to prepare for slightly higher airfares this year.
Low-cost airline FlySafair has introduced a temporary fuel surcharge following increases in global aviation fuel prices. The airline says the additional charge is a short-term measure introduced to offset rising operational costs rather than a permanent fare increase.
The surcharge came into effect on March 12th and will apply to flights scheduled to depart on or before May 12th.
Aviation fuel remains one of the largest operating costs for airlines and prices have risen amid ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting global oil markets.
For travellers planning an Easter break, the surcharge arrives just weeks before one of the busiest domestic travel periods of the year.
This year the Easter long weekend runs from Good Friday on April 3rd through to Family Day on Monday April 6th, creating a four-day travel window that traditionally sees strong passenger demand between Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Current pricing on the route shows return flights from Cape Town to Johannesburg starting at around R4,544 for a typical return itinerary during the holiday period.
Flights departing Cape Town International Airport on Thursday April 2nd are currently priced from roughly R2,597 for a standard fare including one twenty-kilogram checked bag.
Return flights from OR Tambo International Airport to Cape Town on Tuesday April 7th are currently available from approximately R1,947 depending on departure times.
Travel experts say fares are likely to increase further as seats begin filling up closer to the holiday weekend.
Source: Cape {town} Etc
Stormers Power Past Bulls With Second-Half Comeback At Loftus
The DHL Stormers delivered an impressive second-half performance to defeat the Bulls 32-19 in their United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Despite spending part of the match with only thirteen players on the field, the Stormers showed resilience and tactical discipline to secure a valuable bonus-point victory.
The visitors scored four tries to the Bulls’ three, with the turning point coming in the second half as the Cape side increased the tempo and capitalised on key opportunities.
The match began with early pressure from the Bulls, who thought they had opened the scoring in the third minute when Canan Moodie broke through the Stormers defensive line and set up Kurt-Lee Arendse for a try. However, the Television Match Official ruled out the score after identifying a knock-on during the build-up.
Discipline became a major factor in the game, with Stormers forwards Adré Smith and Ben-Jason Dixon both receiving yellow cards in the first half. The Bulls were awarded a penalty try in the nineteenth minute while the Stormers were temporarily reduced to thirteen players.
Despite the setback, Damian Willemse produced a brilliant individual effort to score the Stormers’ first try in the thirty-first minute.
A penalty from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu gave the Stormers a narrow 10-7 lead at halftime.
The Stormers extended their advantage early in the second half before a powerful rolling maul resulted in a try for Paul de Villiers.
The Bulls suffered another setback when Cobus Wiese was sent to the sin bin, allowing the Stormers to further extend their lead through a penalty try.
Hacjivah Dayimani sealed the victory in the seventieth minute by chasing a kick into the in-goal area to score the Stormers’ fourth try.
The result lifts the Stormers up the United Rugby Championship standings and provides important momentum as the competition moves deeper into the season.
Source: The Citizen – Nicholas Zaal
Southern Africa Oil And Gas Conference Opens In Cape Town
The Southern Africa Oil and Gas Conference begins in Cape Town today, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers and investors to discuss developments across the region’s energy sector.
The event is regarded as one of the most significant annual gatherings focused on the upstream and midstream oil and gas industries in Southern Africa.
Hosted at the Century City Conference Centre, the conference provides a platform for dialogue between government representatives, energy companies, researchers and financial stakeholders involved in the sector.
Discussions are expected to focus on exploration opportunities, infrastructure development and the role of hydrocarbon resources in supporting regional energy security.
The conference is organised in partnership with several major industry stakeholders including the Petroleum Agency South Africa, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and the South African Oil and Gas Alliance.
Participants will also examine the role of local content policies, investment frameworks and energy transition strategies as countries across Southern Africa attempt to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
The event runs from today and tomorrow, Tuesday 17th March, with daily sessions scheduled from 08:00 to 17:00.
Tickets for the conference start from R8,350 and registration is available through the official conference website.
Organisers say the gathering aims to strengthen collaboration across the energy value chain while highlighting opportunities for investment and regional cooperation.
Source: Cape Town Events
Financial Markets:
Mostly Cloudy Conditions Expected Across The Western Cape On Tuesday
Mostly cloudy but generally mild conditions are expected across the Western Cape on Tuesday as temperatures remain comfortable across the region.
In Cape Town, the temperature is forecast to reach a high of 27°C with an overnight low of 18°C. Inland areas will be slightly warmer, with Paarl expected to reach 32°C and drop to 17°C overnight, while Stellenbosch should see a high of 28°C and a low of 19°C.
Cloud cover is expected to persist throughout the day from morning into the evening. Rain is unlikely, with the probability of precipitation sitting at around 12 percent. Humidity levels are expected to remain relatively high at approximately 81 percent.
Winds will remain light across the region, blowing from the south at around 15 kilometres per hour.
Ocean conditions along the Cape coastline show a south-westerly swell of approximately 1.5 metres with a period of around 11 seconds, creating moderate conditions for coastal activities.
Tide times for Cape Town begin with a high tide at 02:22 in the early morning, followed by a low tide at 08:35. Another high tide is expected at 14:39 during the afternoon, before the final low tide of the day at 20:42 in the evening.
Sunrise is expected at 06:47 with sunset at 19:02.
The ultraviolet index is forecast to reach a moderate level of 3, meaning sun protection may still be advisable during midday hours despite the cloud cover.
Source: SAWS – South African Weather Service
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TODAY’S NEWS SOURCES:
Provincial Politics – Cape {town} Etc – Matthew Hirsch / GroundUp
City News – IOL – Staff Reporter
Crime Report – IOL – Chevon Booysen
Traffic Update – Cape {town} Etc – Staff Reporter
WP Sport – The Citizen – Nicholas Zaal
Local Events – Cape Town Events – Event Listing
Weather Forecast – SAWS – 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
