An event aimed at providing employment opportunities turned sour on Thursday, as chaos erupted at the Athlone Stadium. 

The event, called A Day of 1000 Opportunities, was organised by the City of Cape Town and hosted by CapeBPO at the stadium. Anyone between 18 and 34 years was invited to attend, as a direct path to job opportunities with several companies represented at the event.  

At midday on Thursday, the City advised that more than 25,000 people had queued for the occasion that morning.  

At that time, the City advised that no more jobseekers would be admitted to the stadium “due to capacity constraints”.  

It is not exactly clear what led to the chaos that ensued, but several people were later seen in video footage being attended to by police.  

The City further clarified claims that shots were fired outside the stadium.

“Claims that shots were fired on the crowd are false and unfounded. SAPS Public Order Policing made use of a stun grenade to maintain crowd control outside the stadium,” read the City’s statement.  

It further confirmed that several people sustained injuries due to the overcrowding, but noted that they were immediately assisted by emergency services on-site.  

“The City’s Law Enforcement, SAPS and other safety and security personnel remained on site to ensure the safety of all residents and officials in attendance.”  

While the City noted its regret over the incident, it thanked all those who assisted.

The Afrikaans lifestyle channel VIA (DStv channel 147) has paid tribute to television personality Johnny Davids, who passed away suddenly on Thursday morning at the age of 48.

Davids was best known to viewers as a field presenter on the popular agricultural programme Landbouweekliks, which he joined in 2024.

During his time on the show, he became a familiar and much-loved presence, admired for his warmth, professionalism and genuine passion for storytelling within the farming community.

His career spanned several industries, taking him from Walvis Bay and the Cape Flats to national television screens.

Davids built a strong reputation as a sports broadcaster, including work as a respected commentator for SuperSport.

Beyond broadcasting, he also pursued music and motivational speaking, using his life story to inspire others.

More recently, he published his autobiographical book Boytjie, offering an honest account of his journey from a difficult childhood to personal success and healing.

Azelia Morkel, channel head of VIA, described Davids as “an exceptional person with a special story of victory and hope,” adding that his ability to connect with both farmers and viewers made him a valued member of the channel.

Davids is survived by his wife Liezel, their three sons, and extended family. His passing is understood to have been sudden, with further details expected to be released by the family in due course.

The broader Media24 group, along with the Landbouweekliks production team, has also expressed condolences, saying his contribution and compassionate approach to his work will be remembered.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has intensified its warning against the illegal sale of queue positions at its offices, vowing a crackdown on what it describes as a “criminal network” preying on vulnerable grant beneficiaries.

The agency says it is alarmed by increasing reports from across the country of individuals profiting from desperate beneficiaries by selling places in queues, a practice it has labelled unlawful and unacceptable.

CEO Themba Matlou warned that SASSA is now treating the matter with urgency and will pursue both criminal and internal disciplinary action against those involved.

“This mushrooming scourge is unacceptable, unlawful, and a serious exploitation of vulnerable members of society who rely on social assistance for survival. We will not take this lying down.”

He added that SASSA is investigating whether syndicates may be operating around its offices, coordinating the sale of queue spots and intimidating beneficiaries.

“We take serious exception to these acts as they happen at the doorsteps of our offices and create an impression that we are complicit. We condemn this in the strongest possible terms, and we cannot allow it to continue.”

The agency says it will tighten security and work closely with law enforcement to clamp down on offenders and restore order at its facilities.

At the same time, SASSA acknowledged ongoing service delivery challenges at some offices, which it says may be contributing to the problem. However, Matlou insisted that improving efficiency remains a top priority.

“We are not oblivious to our own challenges. That is why we are not resting on our laurels and are accelerating the implementation of intervention measures.”

In addition to law enforcement measures, SASSA is accelerating the rollout of digital services, including its online self-service portal and eLife Certification system, to reduce the need for in-person visits.