Saturday, 14th of February 2026
Today’s Headlines
- Ramaphosa says soldiers are trained to kill as army deployment plan moves forward.
- Dam levels fall to 58.3 percent as officials warn Cape Town to save water now.
- Atlantis man faces court after alleged axe killing of mother in law.
- Parklands calls on residents to report crime and strengthen local safety.
- Western Cape football mourns Stellenbosch youngster Jeandre Gaffoor.
- Wuthering Heights brings gothic romance to the Labia Theatre.
- Warmer Sunday ahead with sunshine, strong ultraviolet and moderate swell.
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“Soldiers are trained to kill”: Ramaphosa defends SANDF deployment to Western Cape and Gauteng.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has elaborated on his decision to deploy the South African National Defence Force to assist the South African Police Service in combating organised crime in Gauteng and gang violence in the Western Cape, stating bluntly that “soldiers are trained to kill” and are therefore equipped to defend communities facing severe criminal threats.
The President made the remarks on Friday during the annual Presidential Golf Challenge at Atlantic Beach Golf Estate in Melkbosstrand, a day after delivering his 2026 State of the Nation Address. In that address, Ramaphosa identified organised crime, illegal mining syndicates and entrenched gang activity as among the most immediate threats to the country’s stability and economic progress.
He confirmed that he has instructed the Ministers of Police and Defence to finalise operational plans and timelines within days, with Parliament to be formally informed in accordance with constitutional requirements. Cost implications are still being calculated and will be disclosed once determined.
Ramaphosa emphasised that the SANDF will support, not replace, the police. He declined to provide tactical details, arguing that disclosing operational strategy would undermine effectiveness and allow criminal elements to prepare countermeasures.
In the Western Cape, reaction has been measured but firm. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis welcomed what he described as short-term stabilisation support in gang-affected areas but renewed calls for greater devolution of policing powers to the City. He argued that improved prosecution-ready case files and expanded metro policing authority would offer more sustainable long-term solutions than temporary military support.
City data shows municipal law enforcement has grown significantly in recent years, while SAPS personnel numbers in the metro have declined. The City claims it has added 1,263 officers between 2021 and 2025, while SAPS numbers decreased by approximately 1,300 officers in the same period. Parliamentary replies further indicate vacancy rates of between 20 and 40 percent in many Cape Town precincts.
The deployment therefore enters an already politically charged environment, with debates over policing authority, resource allocation and criminal justice reform continuing to intensify.
Source: IOL – Jonisayi Maromo
Cape Town’s dam levels dip to 58.3 percent as water usage efforts intensify.
Cape Town’s dam storage levels have declined to 58.3 percent, raising fresh concern as the city continues navigating water management challenges during the peak of summer.
While the figure still provides a buffer against immediate crisis, it represents a marked decline compared to the same period last year. Water usage has fluctuated significantly in recent weeks, reaching 1,073 million litres per day earlier this month before easing to 1,052 million litres per day. The official target remains 975 million litres per day.
Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, acknowledged recent improvements in consumption figures but cautioned against complacency. He stressed that sustained conservation is essential, especially given unpredictable rainfall patterns.
Officials report that dam levels have been declining by roughly 2 percent per week since December 2025. While there is currently no national restriction imposed by the Department of Water and Sanitation, the City has warned that continued overuse combined with below-average winter rainfall could prompt restrictions next summer.
The municipality continues investing in long-term water resilience through its New Water Programme, which aims to secure an additional 300 million litres daily via desalination, groundwater abstraction and water reuse projects. The removal of invasive alien plant species in catchment areas also forms part of this broader strategy.
Urban planners warn that climate volatility and population growth require structural adaptation rather than reactive emergency measures. Cape Town’s economic growth and property development trajectory place additional pressure on water demand, reinforcing the need for diversified supply and behavioural change.
Residents are again urged to monitor household usage, repair leaks promptly and adopt water-wise practices to protect long-term water security.
Source: Cape {town} etc – Staff Reporter
Atlantis man faces court for allegedly murdering mother-in-law with an axe.
A 35-year-old Atlantis man is expected to appear before the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court following his arrest in connection with the alleged axe murder of his 67-year-old mother-in-law.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of 26 January at Pearl Mansion in Avondale. According to police spokesperson Thembakazi Mpendukana, the suspect was arrested on 9 February and will be formally charged once medically cleared, as he remains hospitalised.
Authorities have not yet established a motive for the killing. The case has sparked renewed calls from community leaders and advocacy groups for stronger preventative mechanisms to address domestic violence and gender-based violence.
Atlantis Ward Councillor Allister Lightburn described the crime as devastating and urged the justice system to handle the case with seriousness. He indicated that he intends to oppose bail should the suspect apply for release.
Anti-gender-based violence organisation Ilitha Labantu also condemned the killing, highlighting the persistent pattern of violence against women within domestic and familial settings. The organisation stressed that many fatal incidents occur in private spaces where victims should feel safest.
Gender-based violence continues to be classified as a national crisis in South Africa. Advocacy groups have repeatedly called for improved early intervention systems, stronger support networks for vulnerable women and faster court processes to ensure accountability.
The case remains under investigation.
Source: IOL – Robin-Lee Francke
Parklands Neighbourhood Watch urges residents to report crime through structured campaign.
Parklands Neighbourhood Watch has launched its “See Something Say Something” campaign, urging residents to submit verified crime reports directly to the organisation to improve local crime data accuracy.
Chairman Gary le Roux explained that the initiative is not an emergency response channel but a structured reporting tool aimed at strengthening statistical tracking and long-term crime analysis. Each submission is vetted by administrators before being added to the organisation’s secure operating system.
The platform, secured through multi-factor authentication and supported by artificial intelligence tools, compiles monthly crime trend reports, including heat maps, peak activity times and pattern analysis. The data is community-based rather than drawn from official police databases.
Le Roux said that accurate data enables more effective deployment of neighbourhood watch patrols and strengthens collaboration with private security firms and law enforcement agencies.
The organisation is also seeking sponsorship support for its Navic ANPR camera expansion project. Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology has already assisted in several investigations, although camera locations remain undisclosed for security reasons.
Local businesses, schools and shopping centres are encouraged to contribute financially to expand the network. Sponsors are publicly acknowledged on the organisation’s social media platforms as part of its transparency strategy.
Source: Tabletalk – Tara Isaacs
Tributes pour in after death of Stellenbosch FC youngster Jeandre Gaffoor.
The South African football community continues to mourn the death of Stellenbosch FC DStv Diski Challenge player Jeandre Gaffoor.
The 19-year-old’s passing was confirmed earlier this month, with reports suggesting he drowned shortly after Stellenbosch’s 4–1 victory over Magesi FC. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
Gaffoor began his football journey in Blackheath and joined Cape Town Spurs at age 11, progressing through youth ranks before moving to Stellenbosch FC’s DStv Diski Challenge side in 2025.
Cape Town Spurs described his passing as a sudden and tragic loss, expressing shock and extending condolences to his family and teammates. Tributes have highlighted his leadership qualities, including captaining Spurs’ under-19 side to Bayhill Championship victory.
Football development experts note that youth academies serve not only as sporting institutions but as social development platforms. The loss of a young athlete reverberates beyond the pitch, affecting teammates, coaches and broader communities invested in youth sport.
Stellenbosch FC has yet to release a detailed statement but is expected to honour the player in upcoming fixtures.
Source: Cape {town} etc – Tauhira Ajam
Wuthering Heights screens at Labia Theatre this Valentine’s weekend.
The Labia Theatre will screen “Wuthering Heights” from 14 February 2026, offering audiences a modern Gothic interpretation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel.
Directed by Emerald Fennell and starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, the film reimagines the tumultuous relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw against the stark backdrop of the Yorkshire moors.
The 16 LSV-rated production promises a darker, emotionally intense adaptation aimed at contemporary audiences while retaining the novel’s themes of obsession, class conflict and destructive love.
The Labia Theatre, one of Cape Town’s oldest independent cinemas, continues to position itself as a cultural landmark offering alternative programming outside mainstream multiplex schedules.
Tickets are priced at R90, with screenings beginning at 11:45. Valentine’s weekend traditionally sees increased attendance at independent cinemas and theatre venues, contributing to the city’s hospitality and cultural economy.
Event organisers expect strong turnout as audiences seek intimate, story-driven experiences for the holiday weekend.
Source: Webtickets – Staff Reporter
Financial Markets:
Sunday brings warmer sunshine and moderate south-easterly winds.
Cape Town will experience a high of 24 degrees and a low of 19 degrees tomorrow, with warmer conditions and sunny spells throughout the day before clear evening skies set in.
Paarl is expected to reach 29 degrees, cooling to 19 degrees overnight, while Stellenbosch will see a high of 27 degrees and a low of 18 degrees.
Rain probability remains at 0 percent, with humidity at 54 percent. South-easterly winds are forecast at 20 kilometres per hour.
Ocean swell measures 2.1 metres with a south-westerly period of 12 seconds. High tides occur at 02:27 and 14:33, while low tides fall at 08:31 and 20:41.
Sunrise is at 06:21 and sunset at 19:39, with a UV Index of 11 classified as extreme.
Source: SAWS – South African Weather Service
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TODAY’S NEWS SOURCES:
Provincial News – IOL – Jonisayi Maromo
City News – Cape {town} etc – Staff Reporter
Crime Report – IOL – Robin Lee Francke
Community News – Tabletalk – Tara Isaacs
WP Sports – Cape {town} etc – Tauhira Ajam
Local Events – Web Tickets – 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
