Thursday, 5th of March, 2026
Today’s Headlines
- Contractor Arrested In R1.4 Million Cape Town Corruption Sting
- Western Cape Semigration Boom Continues Despite Housing Pressure
- Cape Town Travellers Hit By Middle East Airspace Flight Disruptions
- City Prepares For Thirty Thousand Cyclists Ahead Of Cape Town Cycle Tour
- Fish Hoek Duo Selected For Western Cape Primary Schools Championships
- Cape Town Cycle Tour Returns To The Mother City This Weekend
- Clear Start With Clouds Later And Mild Temperatures Across The Cape
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R1.4 Million Bribe Sting Exposes Tender Corruption Probe In Cape Town
A contractor has been arrested after allegedly attempting to bribe a senior City of Cape Town official with R1.4 million during an undercover operation in Somerset West. The arrest forms part of an ongoing investigation into suspected tender fraud and corruption involving municipal contracts and service providers.
The fifty one year old suspect was detained on Tuesday at Watercrest Mall in Somerset West after investigators moved in during the planned sting operation. Authorities confirmed that the suspect is a service provider contracted to perform maintenance work on municipal infrastructure for the City of Cape Town.
The investigation began after a whistleblower report in March last year raised concerns about possible collusion between municipal officials and contractors linked to city tenders. Following the report, the City of Cape Town’s ethics and forensic services department began working alongside the South African Police Service Commercial Crime Investigation unit to examine the allegations.
According to investigators, the suspect allegedly approached a senior municipal official earlier this year with an offer of a multimillion rand payment. In exchange, the official was allegedly asked to halt internal investigations that could expose irregularities connected to municipal contracts.
Instead of accepting the offer, the official alerted law enforcement authorities, allowing investigators to organise an undercover operation. Police say that when the meeting took place on Tuesday, the suspect allegedly handed over the cash payment, triggering the arrest.
During the operation, investigators seized R1.4 million in cash along with a vehicle and a cellphone believed to be linked to the case. Authorities believe the items could provide further evidence as the investigation continues.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Thursday where he will face corruption related charges. Police say the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests may follow as detectives examine a broader network of alleged corruption connected to municipal tenders.
Source: IOL – Robin-Lee Francke
Semigration Continues To Drive Western Cape Housing Boom
Despite rising housing prices and growing concerns about affordability, the Western Cape remains South Africa’s strongest performing residential property market. Economists say the province continues to benefit from a steady flow of skilled professionals relocating from other parts of the country.
Independent economist John Loos says there is little evidence to support claims that the long running semigration trend toward the province has slowed. Semigration typically refers to the movement of skilled and higher income households relocating in search of improved economic opportunities and quality of life.
For many years the Western Cape has attracted residents from Gauteng and other provinces, drawn by comparatively stronger municipal service delivery, infrastructure investment and economic prospects. While both Gauteng and the Western Cape record population inflows, Gauteng has generally seen a net outflow of skilled households while the Western Cape continues to experience net inflows.
Property prices in the Western Cape have risen significantly over the past decade. Statistics South Africa data shows that house prices in the province have increased by nearly 180 percent since 2010. By comparison, Gauteng property prices increased by around 80 percent during the same period, while KwaZulu-Natal recorded growth of roughly 76 percent.
Rental costs have followed a similar pattern. The Western Cape’s consumer price index for residential rentals has increased by more than 128 percent since 2010, reflecting strong demand for housing across the province.
Economists say the trend is partly driven by the cumulative effect of two decades of skilled migration into the region. As more professionals relocate to the Western Cape, the province’s skills base and purchasing power have expanded, supporting stronger economic activity.
According to Loos, the growing concentration of skilled workers in the province may continue to strengthen the regional economy and contribute to job creation in both the public and private sectors.
(Daily Investor – Kirsten Minnaar)
Middle East Airspace Closures Disrupt Cape Town Flights
Cape Town travellers heading to destinations across the Middle East are facing growing travel disruptions after several Gulf nations imposed airspace restrictions following escalating tensions in the region.
The disruption follows recent military strikes involving the United States and Israel targeting Iran, followed by retaliatory action across parts of the Gulf. As a safety precaution, countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Jordan and Bahrain introduced temporary airspace restrictions, forcing airlines to cancel or reroute flights.
The ripple effect has now reached South African airports, including Cape Town International Airport, where passengers travelling to destinations such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi have encountered cancellations and delays.
Airport authorities confirmed that four outbound flights from Cape Town have already been cancelled as airlines adjust their operations. At the same time, OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg has reported eight affected flights, while King Shaka International Airport in Durban has recorded two disruptions.
Many of these routes rely on major Gulf aviation hubs that normally act as key transit points for passengers travelling onward to Europe, Asia and other global destinations. When these hubs shut down or restrict airspace, the impact quickly spreads across the global aviation network.
Major carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and El Al have temporarily suspended several services while the situation in the region remains uncertain. Airlines attempting to reroute flights around restricted airspace face longer flight times and higher operating costs.
Travel experts say that if the airspace closures continue, the disruption could begin affecting tourism, cargo shipments and ticket prices for international travel routes connected to Gulf airlines.
(Cape {town} Etc – Zaghrah Anthony / Getaway Magazine)
Cape Town Prepares For Influx Of Cyclists Ahead Of Cycle Tour Weekend
Cape Town is preparing for a major influx of cyclists and visitors as the city gets ready to host the forty eighth Cape Town Cycle Tour this weekend. Around thirty thousand riders are expected to take part in the internationally recognised cycling event, which remains one of the world’s largest timed road races.
City officials say approximately ten thousand of the participants will travel from outside Cape Town, bringing thousands of additional visitors to the city during the build up to race day. Hotels, restaurants and tourism operators across the metro are expected to benefit from the increased activity.
To manage the large scale event, the City of Cape Town will deploy personnel from Traffic Services, Metro Police, Law Enforcement and Disaster Risk Management along the race route. Authorities say the teams will assist with road safety, traffic management and emergency response throughout the weekend.
Several major routes across the metro will be affected by road closures and traffic diversions beginning on Friday and intensifying over the weekend. Areas expected to experience disruptions include the central business district, Green Point, Sea Point, the southern suburbs and parts of the Deep South.
Key routes likely to be impacted include Nelson Mandela Boulevard, the M3, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Victoria Road through Camps Bay and sections of Main Road running through the Deep South. Motorists travelling through these areas are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
Public transport services will also be affected. Several MyCiTi bus routes operating in the central city and along the Hout Bay corridor will run with temporary service deviations while the event takes place.
The Cape Town Cycle Tour has become a major economic driver for the city. Organisers estimate that the event contributes more than R500 million to the local economy each year through tourism, hospitality and transport spending.
(IOL – Murray Swart)
Fish Hoek Athletes Selected For Western Cape Schools Championships
Two promising young athletes from Fish Hoek Primary School are preparing to compete at the Western Cape Primary Schools Athletics Championships taking place this weekend in Stellenbosch (Stellen-bosh).
Julie Burke and Eva Hanekom have both been selected to represent the Metro South schools district as part of a twenty one athlete squad heading to the provincial championships at Coetzenberg Stadium.
The competition brings together some of the top primary school athletes from across the Western Cape, with competitors qualifying through district and regional events earlier in the athletics season.
Julie Burke secured her place in the provincial team after finishing fourth in the girls under thirteen one thousand five hundred metre race during the qualifying events. She also competed in the high jump category, demonstrating strong versatility across track and field disciplines.
Eva Hanekom also earned her selection after placing third in the girls under twelve one thousand two hundred metre race. Her performance during the district competitions secured her position among the province’s top young middle distance runners.
The Western Cape Primary Schools Athletics Championships provide an important platform for developing young sporting talent, with many athletes using the event as a stepping stone toward provincial and national competition in later years.
For the athletes from Fish Hoek and surrounding areas, the event represents an opportunity to compete against the best young competitors in the province while representing their schools and district on the provincial stage.
(False Bay Echo – Fuad Esack)
Cape Town Cycle Tour Returns To The Peninsula This Weekend
The Cape Town Cycle Tour will once again bring thousands of cyclists to the city this weekend as riders prepare to take on one of the most scenic cycling routes in the world.
The event will see approximately thirty thousand cyclists lining up to participate across three race routes that circle parts of the Cape Peninsula.
The flagship one hundred and nine kilometre race begins at the Grand Parade in the Cape Town central business district before travelling around the peninsula and finishing on Helen Suzman Boulevard in Green Point.
Along the route, riders pass several of the region’s most iconic landscapes including Chapman’s Peak Drive, widely regarded as one of the most spectacular coastal roads in the world.
In addition to the main race, the seventy eight kilometre Invitational Women’s Race and the under seventeen boys race will both start in Fish Hoek (Fish Hook) before joining the main route toward the finish in Green Point.
A shorter forty two kilometre race will also take place, starting at the Grand Parade and travelling through the southern suburbs before finishing in the city.
First held in nineteen seventy eight, the Cape Town Cycle Tour has grown into one of the world’s largest mass participation cycling events and remains a highlight of the city’s annual sporting calendar.
Each year the event attracts riders from across South Africa and from dozens of countries around the world, further strengthening Cape Town’s reputation as a global destination for cycling and outdoor sport.
(Cape Town Cycle Tour Events – Event Listing)
Financial Markets:
Warm Autumn Weather Expected Across The Western Cape
Cape Town and surrounding regions can expect mild autumn conditions on Friday, with clear skies in the morning followed by some cloud cover developing later in the day.
Temperatures in Cape Town are forecast to reach a high of twenty three degrees with overnight temperatures dropping to around seventeen degrees.
Inland areas will see slightly warmer daytime temperatures. Paarl is expected to reach a high of twenty five degrees with a low of fourteen degrees, while Stellenbosch (Stellen-bosh) will see daytime temperatures climbing to around twenty three degrees with cooler evening conditions dropping to thirteen degrees.
While most of the day is expected to remain dry, forecasters indicate there is around a thirty percent chance of light rainfall with approximately three millimetres possible across parts of the region.
Humidity levels are expected to remain relatively high at around eighty five percent, while winds will remain light to moderate from the east south east at speeds between ten and fifteen kilometres per hour.
Along the coastline, ocean conditions are expected to produce a swell of approximately one point eight metres with a ten second period from the south west.
Tide conditions will see high tide at four fifty five in the morning and again at five oh nine in the evening. Low tide occurs at eleven oh four in the morning and eleven oh seven at night.
Sunrise will take place at six thirty eight in the morning with sunset expected at seven sixteen in the evening. The ultraviolet index is forecast at six, rated high, meaning residents and visitors spending time outdoors are advised to use appropriate sun protection.
(SAWS – South African Weather Service)
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TODAY’S NEWS SOURCES:
Crime Report – IOL – Robin-Lee Francke
Provincial Politics – Daily Investor – Kirsten Minnaar
City News – Cape {town} Etc – Zaghrah Anthony / Getaway Magazine
Traffic Updates – IOL – Murray Swart
WP Sports – False Bay Echo – Fuad Esack
Local Events – Cape Town Cycle Tour 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
