The anti-crime organisation known as PAGAD (People Against Gangsterism and Drugs) has called for the US Marines to be sent home, describing their presence in Cape Town as a threat to national sovereignty. 

This is after members of the US Marine Corps were recently seen training alongside metro police cadets in Muizenberg.  

The City of Cape Town has maintained that the engagement was an informal fitness exercise aimed at boosting morale and fitness standards. 

READ MORE: City defends “informal” Muizenberg fitness exercise with US Marines – Smile 90.4FM

However, PAGAD has strongly rejected the collaboration, expressing concern at what it views as the growing involvement of foreign military personnel in local policing environments. 

“We state categorically and without reservation: There is no such thing as a benign US military footprint on African soil,” read PAGAD’s 13 April statement. 

While it acknowledged the need to upskill law enforcement officers, PAGAD dismissed claims that this engagement would be beneficial. It referred to some of the actions seen by officials with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.  

“The South African public is well-informed on the brutality displayed by ICE and other United States law enforcement structures and categorically states that such methods are inconsistent with our Constitutional dispensation. Indeed, we find such methods abhorrent and strongly urge our state structures to be circumspect about whom they partner with in training initiatives.” 

ALSO READ:  Anti-ICE protests spread in the US, following killing of Nicole Good – Smile 90.4FM

The organisation further criticised the historical role of the United States, claiming it “stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the apartheid regime”, and argued that any current involvement undermines South Africa’s constitutional values. 

PAGAD warned that “the presence of US Marines in Cape Town – no matter how small the contingent or limited the scope – is a direct threat to our national sovereignty”. 

It has called on the government and civil society to oppose the initiative. 

Serious safety concerns have been raised by the Western Cape Mobility Department as it relates to scholar transport.  

17 vehicles were impounded for un-roadworthiness, overloading and expired permits, while more than 250 fines were issued when schools reopened last week.  

During an operation with City of Cape Town Traffic Services at a school in Mitchells Plain, MEC Isaac Sileku said officials found drivers and learners not wearing seat belts, children being transported in delivery vans and “severe overloading” such as a seven-seater vehicle transporting 23 learners and a 15-seater vehicle carrying 27 learners. 

“We know how important this service is for families, but it must always be safe, legal, and reliable. Transport operators have a legal and moral duty to keep learners safe, and safety works best when every stakeholder, from operators to parents, plays their part,” said Sileku. 

Negligent driver behaviour continued from the Easter period, with 51 people arrested for serious offences between 7 and 12 April, of which 33 were for drunk driving.  

Seven people were arrested for the possession of fraudulent documentation, and four undocumented persons were also taken into custody.  

“On Sunday morning, a minibus taxi driver was arrested on the N1 near Laingsburg for possession of dagga, while another man was arrested on the N2 near Riversdale that evening for allegedly attempting to bribe a traffic officer with R50,” read the department’s statement.  

Furthermore, 18 crashes were recorded during that time, which led to 21 deaths. The fatalities were made up of six drivers, six passengers, five pedestrians, three motorcyclists, and one cyclist.  

“The 33 arrests for driving under the influence shows some drivers are still not getting the message. This behaviour puts lives at risk. Please driver sober and help keep our roads safe,” said Sileku.    

Reaction is still pouring in from around the world after Donald Trump’s latest unhinged rhetoric, this time his attack on Pope Leo in a rambling Truth Social post.

On Sunday, Trump called Pope Leo weak on crime and terrible on foreign policy.

It comes after the Pope on Saturday denounced wars and called for dialogue to end conflict. He had previously declared the war in Iran as unjust, branding Trump’s threat to destroy a “whole civilisation” in Iran as “truly unacceptable.”

At evening prayers in St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Saturday, the first US-born Pope said:

“Even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death.”

“To them we cry out: stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation – not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided.”

“Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life.”

In his social media post, Trump retorted, saying he didn’t want a Pope who criticises the President of the United States, because Trump claims he is doing exactly what he was elected to do, reducing crime, but also that he created the greatest stock market in history.

Trump also claimed that if he weren’t President, Leo would not be elected Pope.

“If I weren’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican. Unfortunately, Leo’s Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons, does not sit well with me, nor does the fact that he meets with Obama Sympathizers like David Axelrod, a LOSER from the Left, who is one of those who wanted churchgoers and clerics to be arrested. Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!”

Trump later doubled down when speaking to reporters:

Reporter: Why did you attack Pope Leo?

Trump: I don’t think he’s doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess. We don’t like a pope who says it’s ok to have a nuclear weapon. We don’t want a pope that says crime is ok. I am not a fan of Pope Leo. pic.twitter.com/cj3oh1jSIL

— Acyn (@Acyn) April 13, 2026

Pope Leo has responded to Trump’s criticism, telling reporters that he will continue to denounce war and warning that the Christian message, rooted in the primacy of peace, is being abused.

“I have no fear of the Trump administration or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do, what the Church is here to do. We are not politicians. We don’t deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he might understand it, but I do believe in the message of the Gospel, as a peacemaker.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a close ally of Trump, said Trump’s comments were unacceptable.

“The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, and it is right and normal for him to call for peace and to condemn every form of war.”

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian also came to the Pope’s defence, posting on X:

“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran, and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person. I wish you glory by Allah.”

Hours after Trump’s vitriolic post criticising the Pope, he posted an AI-generated image which depicted him as a Jesus-like figure. Following backlash from across the political spectrum, including his base, the image was later deleted from his account.

Trump told reporters it was supposed to be him as a doctor:

🚨 JUST IN: President Trump responds to backlash over an image he posted which seemed to depict him as Jesus

“It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better, and I do make people better. I make people a lot better!” pic.twitter.com/x526mPp2ME

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 13, 2026

One person has died and several others have been injured following an early morning accident on Bobs Way in Eerste River.

Golden Arrow has confirmed that one of its buses was involved in the collision. Spokesperson Bronwen Dyk-Beyer says the driver has since been treated for shock.

“Based on the information available at this stage, a Golden Arrow bus was stationary when it was struck from behind by a third-party vehicle carrying six occupants.”

Dyk-Beyer confirmed that no passengers were aboard the bus at the time of the accident.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has since confirmed that a case of culpable homicide is under investigation.

“Upon arrival, they found a silver Mercedes-Benz with five occupants. The driver of the motor vehicle was declared dead on the scene while four passengers sustained various injuries and were transported to a medical facility. The police registered a case of culpable homicide, and the circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation,” SAPS said in a statement.