Tuesday, 24th of March, 2026
Today’s Headlines
- Taxi kills toddler in Heideveld tragedy as police open culpable homicide case
- Inner-city housing project unveils 310 new units in Cape Town CBD
- Cape Town CBD business confidence hits record high as growth surges
- Hawks bust cyber fraud syndicate with over 100 phones and bank cards seized
- Cape Town robotics team heads to world championships after top national finish
- New Observatory theatre production tackles South Africa’s social challenges
- Misty morning and cloudy conditions ahead with light rain expected across Cape Town
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Taxi Kills Toddler In Heideveld Tragedy As Police Open Culpable Homicide Case
A one-year-old girl has died after being struck by a taxi in Heideveld, leaving a community in shock and raising renewed concerns around road safety in residential areas.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in Grace Court, Heideveld, where the child sustained fatal injuries after being knocked down by a taxi. Emergency services responded within minutes due to the proximity of the Heideveld Clinic, but despite their efforts, the child was declared dead at the scene.
Police have confirmed that a case of culpable homicide, along with reckless and negligent driving, has been opened. Authorities say investigations are ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage. The driver involved is believed to be known to the child’s family, adding a sensitive dimension to the case.
Community leaders in the Manenberg policing precinct have described the incident as deeply traumatic. The Manenberg Community Police Forum confirmed that the young girl would have turned two years old in June, intensifying the emotional impact of the tragedy.
Residents in the area have once again called for increased vigilance on residential roads, particularly in densely populated communities where children are often present near streets and shared spaces. Concerns around speeding, driver awareness, and general road discipline have been raised repeatedly in similar incidents across the Cape Flats.
With the school holiday period approaching, safety advocates are urging parents and caregivers to reinforce road awareness among children, while also calling on drivers to exercise extreme caution in residential zones.
The investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Source: Athlone News – Marsha Bothma
Prestwich Precinct Unveiled As Third Major Inner-City Housing Development In Cape Town
A new large-scale housing development has been unveiled in Cape Town’s city centre, marking the third major inner-city residential project launched in just over a year by provincial and city authorities.
The Prestwich Precinct development, located on a consolidated site bordered by Somerset, Buitengracht, Chiappini, and Prestwich streets, is set to transform approximately 6,700 square metres of land into a mixed-use residential hub. The project is a joint initiative between the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town, and the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
Plans for the development include two buildings, one rising 12 storeys and the other 7 storeys, delivering a combined total of 310 residential units. A key component of the project is its focus on affordability, with at least 120 units, representing a minimum of 38 percent of the residential space, allocated to affordable housing.
Officials say the development is designed to address long-standing spatial inequality by placing residents closer to economic opportunities, transport routes, and essential services within the CBD. The remaining units will be made available to the open market, creating a mixed-income community aimed at fostering social integration.
The project builds on previous inner-city developments such as the Leeuloop and Founders Garden precincts, forming part of a broader strategy to release well-located public land for housing.
In addition to residential units, the development will incorporate public urban spaces, pedestrian-friendly design, and heritage elements, while targeting a four-star green building certification. Authorities have also confirmed that strict participation targets will be included to ensure involvement of local labour and small businesses.
A request for proposals to appoint a developer is expected to be issued in April, marking the next phase of the project.
Source: Western Cape Government – Department of Infrastructure
Cape Town CBD Business Confidence Hits Record High As Entrepreneurs Back Growth
Business confidence in Cape Town’s central business district has reached its highest level on record, reflecting growing optimism among entrepreneurs and sustained economic momentum within the inner city.
According to the Cape Town Central City Improvement District, 97.8 percent of surveyed business owners reported positive sentiment in the final quarter of last year. The survey, which included responses from 297 businesses, shows a consistent upward trend in confidence through the second half of the year.
More than 86 percent of respondents indicated that overall business conditions had improved over the past 12 months, while 86.9 percent expect their businesses to grow in the year ahead. This signals a stable and strengthening economic environment within the CBD.
Entrepreneurs across sectors are actively investing in expansion. On Bree Street, a local food business has grown its workforce significantly and expanded operations through a new production facility. Meanwhile, a long-established retail brand has committed further investment by developing a new food concept on St Georges Mall.
These developments are supported by broader infrastructure and urban management improvements, including visible security, enhanced public spaces, and consistent maintenance. Business owners have credited these factors as essential to their ability to operate effectively and attract customers.
Despite ongoing challenges such as competition and access to finance, many businesses are choosing to innovate rather than scale back. Nearly a quarter of those surveyed indicated plans to introduce new products or services, highlighting a proactive approach to growth.
With strong entrepreneurial activity and continued investment, Cape Town’s CBD is entering the year with one of its most confident outlooks in recent memory.
Source: Cape Business News – CBN
Hawks Arrest Four In Major Cape Town Cyber Fraud And Card Cloning Operation
A major cyber fraud operation has been uncovered in Cape Town following the arrest of four suspects linked to a sophisticated card cloning and financial crime network.
The suspects, three women and one man aged between 36 and 48, were arrested in Bothasig during a joint operation led by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, working alongside City of Cape Town Law Enforcement.
The investigation was initially prompted by information relating to an illegal abalone storage facility. However, upon entering the premises, officers discovered evidence of a far more extensive cybercrime operation.
Inside a garage, suspects were found working on multiple laptops, with authorities uncovering a range of equipment used in fraudulent financial activities. Items seized included four laptops, 103 cellphones, 82 bank cards, 187 SIM cards, a point-of-sale device, a card printer, blank bank cards, and records detailing suspected transactions.
Specialist units, including cybercrime investigators and representatives from the South African Banking Risk Information Centre, were called in to process the scene and secure evidence.
Authorities believe the group was involved in cloning bank cards and conducting fraudulent transactions on a potentially large scale. Investigations are ongoing, and further arrests have not been ruled out.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court as the case progresses.
Source: IOL – Robin-Lee Francke
Cape Town Robotics Team Heads To World Championships After National Success
A team of high school students from Cape Town is set to represent South Africa on the global stage after qualifying for the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championships in Texas.
The Hyperion Bots team from Parklands College secured their place following a strong performance at the national championships, where they finished third overall in the Robot Games. They also received the Inspire Award, the highest honour in the competition, recognising excellence across engineering design, innovation, performance, teamwork, and community impact.
The team, made up of students aged 14 to 17, has rapidly established itself as one of the country’s leading robotics groups. Their qualification marks a second consecutive appearance at the world championships, despite being only in their second competitive season.
Beyond competition, the team is actively involved in promoting science and technology education through outreach programmes, mentorship initiatives, and school engagements. A key focus of their work is encouraging young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Members of the team design, build, and programme their robots from scratch, while also managing sponsorship and operational responsibilities, providing a comprehensive learning experience.
The team is expected to travel to Texas at the end of April, where they will compete against top student robotics teams from around the world.
Source: Good Things Guy – Savanna Douglas
Reaxenia Theatre Production Tackles South Africa’s Social Challenges In Observatory
A new theatre production set to run in Observatory later this month is bringing a bold and thought-provoking exploration of South Africa’s social and political landscape to the stage.
Titled Reaxenia, the production forms part of the Young Professionals Season at Theatre Arts, an initiative that provides emerging directors with a platform to present their work in a professional setting.
Directed by Tshiamo Maloka, the production features performances by Aasim Ellis, Aman Ngema, and Dumisane Skhosana. The play uses a blend of satire and physical theatre to explore themes including democracy, media, governance, and the broader societal challenges facing the country.
At the centre of the story is an investigative journalist navigating complex issues, highlighting both material struggles and a deeper search for truth. The production aims to balance humour with serious commentary, encouraging audiences to engage with difficult topics in an accessible way.
Organisers say the Young Professionals Season continues to play an important role in developing new voices within South Africa’s theatre industry, providing exposure and opportunities for emerging creatives.
Reaxenia will be staged at Theatre Arts in Observatory, with performances scheduled from Friday to Sunday. Tickets are priced at R100 for general admission and R80 for students, with bookings available online.
Source: Southern Suburbs Tatler – Wesley Ford
Financial Markets:
Misty Start With Light Rain Expected Across Cape Town On Wednesday
Cape Town can expect a cool and misty start to Wednesday, with cloudy conditions dominating much of the day before skies begin to clear in the evening.
Temperatures will remain moderate, reaching a high of 23°C and a low of 18°C in Cape Town. Paarl is expected to be slightly warmer with a high of 25°C and a low of 15°C, while Stellenbosch will see temperatures ranging between 24°C and 15°C.
There is a 30 percent chance of light rain, with approximately 3mm expected, mainly during the earlier part of the day. Humidity levels will remain high at around 80 percent, contributing to the misty morning conditions.
Winds will be light, blowing from the north-northwest at speeds between 10 and 15 km/h.
Ocean conditions remain moderate, with a swell of 1.4 metres and a period of 11 seconds from the southwest.
Tide times for Cape Town are as follows: low tide at 01:19, high tide at 07:41, low tide again at 14:13, and high tide at 20:37.
The sun will rise at 06:53 and set at 18:50, with a moderate UV index of 4 expected.
Source: South African Weather Service – SAWS
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TODAY’S NEWS SOURCES:
Traffic Updates – Athlone News – Marsha Bothma
Provincial Politics – Western Cape Government – Department of Infrastructure
City News – Cape Business News – CBN
Crime Report – IOL – Robin-Lee Francke
WP Sport – Good Things Guy – Savanna Douglas
Local Events – Southern Suburbs Tatler – Wesley Ford
Weather Forecast – South African Weather Service – SAWS
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
