Saturday, 14th of March, 2026
Today’s Headlines
- Taxi crash turns violent in Elsies River as furious residents burn vehicle
- Chinese vessels fined four hundred thousand rand for illegal entry
- Cape Town opens four hundred and thirty four million rand recycling plant
- City urges residents to apply for indigent and pensioner support
- False Bay demolishes UniMil eighty three to fourteen in dominant clash
- Jazz legend Dr Tete Mbambisa headlines Zabalaza Festival finale
- Warm Sunday with a strong south easter winds across the Cape
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Elsies River Taxi Crash Turns Violent After Community Worker Killed
A fatal taxi crash in Elsies River has left a Cape Town community shaken after a well known community worker was struck and killed before angry residents retaliated by setting the vehicle involved in the collision alight.
The incident unfolded early Wednesday morning along Halt Road near 27th Avenue in Elsies River, a busy route frequently used by commuters travelling between surrounding residential areas and nearby transport corridors.
Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 6:30 in the morning after reports that a pedestrian had been struck by a taxi while attempting to cross the road. Paramedics arrived to find the woman critically injured. She was declared dead on the scene.
Initial information circulating through local neighbourhood crime watch groups suggested the victim may have been attempting to flee from suspected robbers moments before the collision occurred. Those circumstances have not yet been confirmed by police and remain part of the ongoing investigation.
South African Police Service spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that Elsies River police attended the scene and opened a culpable homicide case.
As news of the fatal incident spread across the neighbourhood, tensions escalated rapidly. Residents gathered along the roadside as police and emergency personnel secured the area and began documenting the crash scene.
Witnesses reported that a group of bystanders confronted the taxi driver believed to have been involved in the incident. Police officers present at the scene were forced to intervene and escort the driver away for his safety as emotions intensified.
Shortly afterwards, the taxi was set alight by unknown individuals.
Videos circulating widely on social media showed flames engulfing the vehicle as smoke rose above the residential street while police attempted to stabilise the situation.
The dramatic escalation reflects the deep frustration many Cape Town communities continue to experience around violent crime, road safety and a perceived lack of accountability in incidents involving public transport vehicles.
Elsies River has long faced challenges linked to crime and socio economic pressures, with community leaders frequently calling for stronger policing visibility and safer public spaces.
Police investigators are now working to piece together the full sequence of events that led to the fatal crash and the subsequent destruction of the vehicle.
Authorities have urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact local police.
Source: IOL – Marsha Dean
Chinese Fishing Vessels Fined R400,000 After Illegal Entry Into South African Waters
Four Chinese flagged fishing vessels have been fined R400,000 after illegally entering South African waters, prompting a coordinated enforcement response by authorities responsible for protecting the country’s marine resources.
The vessels, identified as Zhong Yang 231, Zhong Yang 232, Zhong Yang 233 and Zhong Yang 239, were detected after entering South Africa’s Exclusive Economic Zone and territorial waters without the required authorisation.
Officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment worked alongside a South African Police Service tactical team to track and monitor the vessels before placing them under guard at the Port of Cape Town anchorage.
The department said the ships initially claimed they intended to pass through South African waters under what is known as innocent passage, a legal provision allowing vessels to transit through a country’s Exclusive Economic Zone without conducting commercial activity.
However, suspicions were raised after the vessels also applied for Off Port Limits authorisation without providing sufficient justification.
Further investigations revealed that the ships had already entered South African territorial waters while their request was still under consideration.
Authorities later tracked the vessels within twelve nautical miles of the KwaZulu-Natal coastline before monitoring their movement along the Eastern Cape coastline.
During this time officials noticed that the vessels repeatedly switched their Automatic Identification System on and off.
The AIS system is a mandatory maritime safety and tracking tool used to monitor vessel movements and prevent collisions at sea. South African law requires foreign vessels travelling through national waters to keep the system active at all times.
Authorities said the behaviour raised concerns about possible violations of the Marine Living Resources Act.
The vessel owner, Shenzhen Shuiwan Pelagic Fisheries Co. Ltd, was issued with a R400,000 administrative penalty, which has since been paid.
Following settlement of the fine, the vessels were released and have now departed South African waters.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of monitoring international fishing fleets operating near South Africa’s coastline, where authorities remain under pressure to protect marine ecosystems and safeguard the country’s valuable fishing industry.
Source: IOL – Xolile Mtembu
R434 Million Recycling Facility Opens In Muizenberg To Boost Cape Town’s Waste Economy
Cape Town has taken a significant step toward improving waste management and strengthening its recycling economy with the opening of a new R434 million sorting facility at Coastal Park in Muizenberg.
The Coastal Park Material Recovery Facility was officially launched by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis together with the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Grant Twigg.
The facility is designed to receive mixed recyclable materials collected through the City’s door to door recycling programme, including plastics, paper, cardboard, glass and metals.
Once delivered to the plant, these materials are sorted and prepared for resale to manufacturing industries where they can be used to produce new products.
City officials say the project forms part of a long term strategy to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill sites while strengthening the city’s recycling economy.
The plant is currently processing around twenty five tonnes of recyclable material each day. Once operating at full capacity, it is expected to handle approximately sixty five tonnes daily.
Beyond environmental benefits, the project is also expected to support job creation in the waste management sector.
Around sixty people are currently employed at the plant, while another twenty staff work at the collection point linked to the operation. When the facility reaches full capacity the workforce is expected to grow to around one hundred and sixty jobs.
Additional employment opportunities are also expected to emerge in downstream manufacturing industries that rely on recycled materials.
City officials say public participation remains essential to the success of the recycling programme.
Residents are encouraged to separate recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, plastics, tins and glass from general household waste to improve recovery rates across the city.
Source: IOL – Staff Reporter
City Urges Residents To Apply For Indigent And Pensioner Support Programmes
The City of Cape Town is urging residents facing financial pressure to apply for municipal relief programmes designed to help households manage rising living costs.
Officials say many qualifying residents are still not making use of the available indigent and pensioner support options, despite expanded eligibility thresholds and a larger municipal social support budget.
The programmes provide relief on municipal accounts, including assistance with property rates and essential services such as water, electricity and refuse removal.
Under revised income thresholds, pensioners and social grant recipients earning up to R27,000 per month may qualify for rates rebates and Lifeline tariffs that reduce the cost of municipal services.
Households earning below R7,500 per month may qualify for indigent assistance, which can include free basic services and in some cases a full rebate on property rates.
The City has allocated R5.1 billion toward its social support package for the 2025/26 financial year.
Officials say the expanded programme is intended to help vulnerable households cope with economic pressure while ensuring continued access to basic municipal services.
A key change this year stems from the General Valuation process, which reassesses property values across the metro.
Because 2025 is a General Valuation year, pensioners who currently receive benefits will need to reapply for continued assistance once the new municipal financial year begins on 1 July.
Residents do not need to wait until July to begin the application process.
Applications can be submitted online through the City’s eServices platform, in person at Customer Interaction Centres, or by email to the relevant municipal departments.
Municipal officials are also available at service centres to assist residents who may require help completing forms or understanding eligibility requirements.
Source: Cape {town} Etc
False Bay Sends Early Warning With 83–14 Win Over UniMil
False Bay Rugby Football Club has delivered a strong early warning ahead of the upcoming rugby season after a dominant 83–14 victory over visiting side UniMil in a pre season friendly at Constantia.
The match formed part of a six game programme between the two clubs, with False Bay recording victories across all fixtures played on the day.
In the main match the Bay’s First XV ran in thirteen tries to just two from their opponents in a performance that highlighted the attacking strength and fitness levels of the squad.
Observers noted the disciplined execution of the home side, whose quick ball movement and angled running repeatedly broke through UniMil’s defensive line.
While the visitors remained competitive during the early stages, their defensive structure began to weaken under sustained pressure as False Bay controlled possession and territory.
The convincing result is being viewed as an encouraging sign for the Constantia based club as preparations continue for the season ahead.
Like many community rugby clubs across the Western Cape, False Bay continues to face the financial realities associated with running amateur sporting organisations.
Operational costs such as medical staff, match equipment, facility maintenance and travel expenses place increasing pressure on club budgets.
To support these expenses the club has developed several fundraising initiatives, including transforming its clubhouse into a sports bar and grill that attracts families and supporters during match days.
The club also runs its Club100 membership programme, which hosts speaker evenings featuring prominent rugby personalities and commentators.
False Bay will next face traditional rivals Villager Football Club in another pre season fixture scheduled to take place at Brookside in Claremont.
Source: Constantiaberg Bulletin – Jon Harris
Dr Tete Mbambisa Headlines Powerful Jazz Finale At Zabalaza Festival
A powerful evening of South African jazz will close this year’s Zabalaza Festival at the Baxter Theatre with a performance titled Louder Than Silence.
The concert features renowned pianist and composer Dr Tete Mbambisa, whose music became closely associated with the cultural and political landscape of South Africa during the struggle years.
Mbambisa emerged as a major figure in township jazz during the 1960s, blending traditional African musical influences with African American jazz to create a distinctive sound that helped shape South Africa’s musical identity.
The performance will bring together an accomplished lineup of musicians including Esehle Valela on saxophone, Nick Ford on bass, Keegan Steenkamp on trumpet, Babes Ndamase on drums and Buddy Wells on saxophone.
Organisers say the concert reflects both a celebration of South Africa’s jazz heritage and a broader reflection on the role music played during decades of political resistance.
The performance forms part of the sixteenth annual Zabalaza Festival, which has become a recognised platform for socially conscious theatre and live performance in Cape Town.
Curated by Likwezi Arts, the event aims to bring together artists and audiences through music that connects historical memory with contemporary cultural expression.
In recognition of his contribution to South African music and cultural life, Mbambisa was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Cape Town.
The concert will take place at the Baxter Theatre with tickets priced between R120 and R150.
Source: Baxter Theatre / Webtickets
Financial Markets:
Warm Sunday Ahead Across Western Cape With Strong South Easter Winds
Warm and mostly clear weather conditions are expected across the Western Cape on Sunday as strong south easterly winds develop along the coastline.
In Cape Town temperatures will climb to a high of 28 degrees while overnight temperatures are expected to settle around 19 degrees. Clear skies are forecast throughout the morning, afternoon and evening.
Further inland significantly hotter conditions are expected.
Paarl is forecast to reach a daytime high of 37 degrees before cooling to 19 degrees overnight.
In Stellenbosch temperatures are expected to peak at around 34 degrees with a minimum of 16 degrees during the night.
Humidity levels are forecast to remain relatively high at around 80 percent while south easterly winds could reach speeds of approximately 30 kilometres per hour.
Along the coastline ocean conditions remain moderate with a south westerly swell measuring about 1.3 metres and a wave period of nine seconds.
Tide movements around Cape Town will see the first high tide at 01:21 in the morning followed by a low tide at 07:30.
Another high tide is expected at 13:34 during the afternoon before the final low tide arrives at 19:38 in the evening.
The sun will rise at 06:46 and set at 19:04.
The ultraviolet index is expected to reach level 7, which is considered high, meaning sun protection is recommended for anyone spending extended time outdoors.
Source: SAWS – South African Weather Service
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TODAY’S NEWS SOURCES:
Crime Report – IOL – Marsha Dean
Provincial Politics – IOL – Xolile Mtembu
City News – IOL – Staff Reporter
Community News – Cape {town} Etc – Staff Reporter
WP Sport – Constantiaberg Bulletin – Jon Harris
Local Events – Baxter Theatre / Webtickets – 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
