Day: August 24, 2026

Home Affairs opens modern office at Cape Town Civic Centre

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht


Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber officially opened a new modern Home Affairs office at the Cape Town Civic Centre on Monday as part of efforts to bring government services closer to residents and reduce long queues.

Schreiber said the new facility forms part of the department’s Home Affairs @ home reform programme, which aims to decentralise services and make them more accessible at locations people already visit.

“For too long, visiting Home Affairs has been associated with travelling long distances, standing in queues and losing hours of your day,” Schreiber said. “Through our ambitious reform agenda, we are rapidly changing that experience, including here in Cape Town.”

The new office is located alongside existing City services and near public transport, providing residents with a more convenient and accessible option for Home Affairs services.

The facility will operate on a bookings-only basis, allowing clients to schedule appointments in advance and avoid unnecessary waiting times.

Appointments can be booked through the department’s upgraded online booking system.

Schreiber said the new office would also help reduce pressure on busy Home Affairs branches, including the Barrack Street office.

He pointed to the department’s digital partnership with the banking sector, which has already expanded access to Smart ID replacement services at more than 450 bank branches across the country, including several in Cape Town.

“The new office we are launching today at the Civic Centre builds on that progress by taking additional pressure off busy offices such as the one in Barrack Street,” Schreiber said.

“This is Home Affairs @ home: using digital transformation and partnerships to eliminate queues, decentralise access and deliver dignity for all.”

DHL Stadium sold out for Springboks-All Blacks clash

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Cape Town’s excitement for the Springboks-All Blacks rivalry has reached fever pitch, with all 62,000 seats at DHL Stadium sold out ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated Test.

Despite ticket prices reaching as much as R4,000, demand has remained strong for one of Cape Town’s biggest rugby fixtures of the year. Tickets went on sale earlier this year from R850 to R4,000, with the cheaper options among the first to sell out.

The match will also be a milestone occasion for the Springboks, with utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit set to earn his 100th Test cap, becoming only the 11th player in South African history to reach the landmark.

Prop Ox Nche will also celebrate a significant milestone, earning his 50th Test cap.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a largely unchanged starting XV following last weekend’s match against New Zealand in Johannesburg.

Siya Kolisi has been bracketed with Paul de Villiers at flank, with Kolisi expected to start if he comes through training comfortably this week. Handre Pollard and Cobus Reinach will form the halfback pairing, while Ethan Hooker replaces Cheslin Kolbe on the wing after Kolbe picked up a niggle in the first Test.
If Kolisi starts, he will join Du Toit and Jasper Wiese in the loose trio, while Kurt-Lee Arendse will move to the right wing, forming a back three with Damian Willemse.

Du Toit will retain the captaincy.

Should Kolisi take the field, the Springbok starting XV will boast a combined 1,012 Test caps - the most experienced team South Africa has ever fielded. The backline accounts for 428 caps, with the forwards contributing 584.

Erasmus said the changes were aimed at ensuring the team is prepared for the intensity of another physical encounter.

“Cheslin and Grant (Williams) suffered niggles last weekend, which ruled them out of contention for selection, while we have bracketed Siya alongside Paul to allow us time to monitor how Siya comes through training this week,” said Erasmus.

“The changes we made are in line with what we want to achieve on the field, and it is valuable that almost all of the players have been involved in the last two games, so they will be able to cope with the intensity and physicality of this match.”

The coach also highlighted the different options available to him at flyhalf and scrumhalf.

“Handre has delivered for us under extreme pressure, and we feel that what he and Cobus have the potential to bring at the beginning of the game, and then have Morne and Sacha come on later with their different styles of play will be good for us this weekend,” he said.

On Du Toit and Nche reaching their respective milestones, Erasmus praised their contribution to the Springbok set-up.

“Pieter-Steph and Ox have been pillars of strength for us on and off the field, and they both deserve these accolades,” he said.

“It is a remarkable achievement to play 100 Test matches, and for Pieter-Steph to deliver week in and week out the way he has over the years is incredible.

“We are equally proud of Ox for the player and team man he has grown into, and to see him reach 50 Test caps is fantastic.”

The Springboks will be looking to respond after New Zealand won the first Test, with Erasmus acknowledging that South Africa failed to capitalise on several scoring opportunities.

“There were a handful of positives and negatives last week, but the main thing that let us down was that we created so many chances, but mistakes at crucial times cost us,” he said.

“We’ll put in a lot of work this week to ensure that we are sharp in that regard this weekend because if we had used even some of those chances, the result could have been completely different.”

The match kicks off at 17:10 on Saturday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Springbok team
15 Damian Willemse
14 Kurt-Lee Arendse
13 Jesse Kriel
12 Damian de Allende
11 Ethan Hooker
10 Handre Pollard
9 Cobus Reinach
8 Jasper Wiese
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (captain)
6 Siya Kolisi / Paul de Villiers
5 Ruan Nortje
4 Eben Etzebeth
3 Wilco Louw
2 Malcolm Marx
1 Ox Nche

Replacements: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Morne van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

If selected, 39-year-old Fourie could also become the oldest player to represent the Springboks in a Test, surpassing Victor Matfield and Schalk Brits, who were 38 when they played their final Tests.

The match will be Fourie’s first appearance for South Africa since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final, when the Springboks defeated New Zealand 12-11 to lift the trophy.

South Africa have won five of their last seven matches against the All Blacks dating back to August 2023. The last meeting between the sides in Cape Town came in 2024, when the Springboks won 18-12.

Saturday’s clash forms part of the Castle Lager Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series and marks the All Blacks’ first traditional rugby tour of South Africa since 1996.

DA to grill Gayton McKenzie in committee tomorrow

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie and officials from his department are expected to appear before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture on Tuesday, 25 August, to account for South Africa’s delegation to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and related expenditure.

The meeting is scheduled for 17:30 and will be the second time the minister and department have appeared before the committee on the matter.

During the committee’s previous meeting on 4 August, Members raised concerns about the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s presentation and called for a more detailed account of the estimated R31 million spent on the World Cup delegation.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for the department to provide detailed information on the 151-member delegation, including the qualifications, experience, roles and responsibilities of each member.

The party also wants a breakdown of the activities undertaken by the delegation, including meetings and engagements involving the minister and other members.

Among the information the DA is seeking is a detailed breakdown of the estimated R31 million expenditure, including costs attributed to individual delegation members, as well as details of sponsorships received.

The party is also calling for information on the return on investment from the expenditure, including measurable benefits for South African sport, arts, culture, tourism and related industries.

DA Sport, Arts and Culture spokesperson Leah Potgieter is expected to raise the questions on behalf of the party.

The committee’s meeting will provide the department and the minister with an opportunity to respond to the concerns raised during the previous hearing and provide further details on the World Cup delegation and its costs.

Two Men Arrested in Connection With Former Knysna Mayor’s Murder

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
Two men have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder following the fatal shooting of Knysna councillor and former mayor Aubrey Tsengwa.

Western Cape police said the suspects, aged 39 and 46, were arrested on Saturday by a multidisciplinary team comprising Serious Violent Crime detectives, Crime Intelligence, local police, the Combat Team and the drone unit.

The arrests form part of the ongoing investigation into Wednesday evening’s shooting, which left Tsengwa dead and three other people wounded.

Police said the suspects were charged after being questioned by investigators. Two vehicles, three firearms and several cellular phones have also been seized as part of the investigation.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 24 August 2026.

The investigation continues as police search for additional suspects and work to establish the motive behind the shooting.

Knysna police have registered cases of murder and three counts of attempted murder in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, Visit Knysna and the greater Knysna tourism sector extend their sincere condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the recent isolated fatal shooting incidents in the community.

Knysna Municipality Local Economic Development & Tourism Manager, Ms Lungiswa Goya, said: “We recognise the concern these incidents have caused and acknowledge the seriousness of the situation. The incidents are being investigated by the South African Police Service, and we are working closely with the municipality and relevant authorities to monitor the situation.”

“We want to reassure visitors that Knysna remains open and welcoming. Tourism businesses, accommodation establishments, restaurants and attractions continue to operate. As a united destination, we remain committed to supporting our community, prioritising the wellbeing of our visitors, and ensuring that accurate and reliable information is shared.”

Greater Knysna Business Chamber Tourism Pillar Chairperson, Ms Elmay Bouwer, added: “As with any destination, visitors are encouraged to exercise normal safety awareness, remain vigilant and follow standard travel precautions. It is important to place this tragic event in context. It was an isolated incident and does not reflect the experience of Knysna as a tourism destination and there is no indication that visitors or tourism establishments are at risk because of the incident.

“Knysna remains a welcoming, vibrant and much-loved destination, and visitors can continue to enjoy its beaches, forests, lagoon, restaurants, accommodation establishments and outdoor experiences.”


President to answer questions in Parliament this week

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to answer questions in the National Assembly this week as Parliament focuses on municipal governance, South Africa’s international standing and the work of the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Ramaphosa is scheduled to respond to oral questions at 2pm on Tuesday.

Key issues expected to come under scrutiny include efforts to restore South Africa’s credibility as a Pan-African voice amid protests against foreign nationals, as well as structural reforms aimed at improving municipal capacity, accountability and the delivery of basic services.


The Ad Hoc Committee examining allegations made by Mkhwanazi will also remain in focus. The committee is scheduled to meet on Monday evening and Thursday to consider its draft report. Its reporting deadline has been extended by the Speaker of the National Assembly to 11 September.

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will also host several question-and-answer sessions during the week.

Ministers in the Peace and Security Cluster are expected to address issues including Truth and Reconciliation Commission reparations, the justice department’s case-management system, overcrowding in correctional centres, cellphone smuggling and the deployment of the military to assist police in tackling illegal mining.

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola will face questions on global developments affecting South Africa, including the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, anti-immigration protests and illegal immigration.

Parliament has scheduled 37 committee meetings from Monday to Friday. Topics on the agenda include foot-and-mouth disease control, immigration backlogs, preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the recovery of state property, municipal audit outcomes, military deployments and Parliament’s funding.

Both Houses will begin their constituency periods on 31 August. The NCOP constituency period will run until 5 October, while the National Assembly will return on 21 September.

Joburg settles R5.25bn Eskom debt

Posted on by Eon Engelbrecht
The City of Johannesburg has settled its outstanding R5.25 billion electricity debt to Eskom.

The Department of Electricity and Energy and the City of Johannesburg confirmed on Friday that Eskom had received the final payment, clearing overdue debt of R5.255 billion owed by the city and City Power.

The settlement follows an intervention and mediation process led by Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, bringing together the City of Johannesburg, City Power and Eskom to resolve long-running billing disputes.

The dispute had raised concerns about the potential impact on Johannesburg's electricity supply. Following confirmation of the final payment, Eskom withdrew the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) process it initiated on 17 May 2026 to address the outstanding arrears.

Ramokgopa welcomed the resolution, saying the inter-governmental process had helped bring the matter to a definitive conclusion while ensuring an uninterrupted electricity supply and protecting Eskom's financial sustainability.

Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero described the settlement as a significant step towards improving the city's financial sustainability and responsible governance.

The city has committed to keeping future electricity accounts up to date, reducing losses caused by theft and vandalism, and investing in critical infrastructure.

Eskom and City Power will also continue working together on infrastructure maintenance, reducing electricity losses and improving data-sharing to support long-term electricity security in Johannesburg.

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