The City of Cape Town has defended an “informal” engagement between Metro Police cadets and US Marines at Muizenberg Beach, describing it as a positive, no-cost fitness exchange aimed at boosting morale and benchmarking physical standards.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said the session formed part of the City’s growing emphasis on physical readiness within its Public Safety Training College.

“The engagement between the City’s Public Safety Training College and Marines based at the US Consulate in Cape Town was a fitness exercise and an opportunity for officers to experience Marine-style fitness drills,” said Smith.

“It was an informal arrangement where staff could measure their fitness standards against that of another entity. It was not a formal training engagement and there was no cost involved to the City.”

It comes after some political parties raised concerns about the legality, cost and oversight of the exercise.

The GOOD party argues that municipal policing must operate within a national framework and questioned whether proper approvals were obtained, warning against any blurring of lines between military and civilian policing.

But the City maintains the exercise was a straightforward fitness initiative and part of broader efforts to learn from international best practice while improving local law enforcement standards.

Smith added that the City regularly collaborates with international partners to strengthen its capabilities, including past engagements with experts from countries such as France, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States on issues like cybercrime, kidnapping and extortion.

He stressed that the Muizenberg session did not involve tactical or policing training and required no special authorisation.

Attacks on Metro Police officers are on the rise, with the latest incident unfolding in Athlone, where officers were pelted with stones while making an arrest.

Police had been responding to reports of gunfire at the Vlei informal settlement yesterday when they identified a suspect in possession of a firearm. The man attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended, and a 9mm Ruger pistol along with 18 rounds of ammunition was seized.

The City says tensions escalated during the arrest when a group of residents began throwing stones at police vehicles, damaging two City patrol vehicles.

Despite the hostility, officers managed to secure the suspect and transport him to the police station without any injuries reported.

City Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, strongly condemned the attack, warning that such incidents are becoming increasingly common.

“Despite their best efforts to run interference, officers were able to contain the situation and transport the suspect to the police station. On the downside, the damaged patrol vehicles will have to be off the road while repairs are completed, which is not only an unnecessary cost, but two fewer vehicles for visible patrols and responding to complaints.”

Smith confirmed that while no officers were injured, the behaviour of those involved was deeply concerning.

“We are thankful that no staff members were injured, but these actions must be condemned in the strongest terms. It can’t be that we cry out for safer communities and then behave in this manner towards the very people who are trying to help.”

Smith further highlighted a worrying trend, noting that attacks on Metro Police officers are on the rise.

“Attacks on our staff have become so commonplace, and just a cursory look at Metro Police incidents already points to an increase in this financial year. Between July 2024 and January 2025, the Metro Police Department recorded 43 attacks on staff. For the same period between 2025 and 2026, the number has increased to 52.”

Nine police officers have been released on bail of R3,000 each by the Bultfontein Magistrate’s Court in the Free State following their arrest in connection with the killing of four people, including a fellow police officer, in a 2024 incident.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) says the officers are facing four counts of murder.

IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping says the police officers, members of the Public Order Police Unit, were responding to a call about a domestic dispute in Phahameng when the situation escalated fatally.

“It is alleged that as police officers tried to apprehend them, they locked themselves inside the house and barricaded all access points into the house.”

IPID confirms that the police officers allegedly executed a tactical entry into the house during which they discharged their firearms, killing the four victims.

The case was postponed to 26 May 2026 for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to decide on the forum for the trial.

A 50-year-old man is facing serious charges of drug possession and dealing after a police operation in Bonteheuwel yesterday led to a significant discovery at his home.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) says they responded to a tip-off about drugs being sold at a residence in Rooi Els Street. Police spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala says they discovered not only drugs but money as well.

“Members of Public Order Policing were patrolling around the area when they received credible intelligence about drug sales at the suspect’s home. They descended at the address at around 15:15 and combed the area. The members found one bag of dagga in his bedroom and proceeded to his motor vehicle that was parked in the yard. A second bag of dagga, tik, mandrax tablets, and cash amounting to R11 507.50 were recovered inside the vehicle.”

 
The suspect is expected to make his first court appearance in the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court once he has been charged.

The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed that a decision has been taken to prosecute individuals implicated in the tragic deaths of mental healthcare users during the Life Esidimeni transfers.

The Life Esidimeni tragedy, which unfolded between 2015 and 2016, resulted in the deaths of at least 141 vulnerable psychiatric patients after their unlawful removal from licensed care facilities to unregistered and ill-equipped NGOs.

It is regarded as one of the most serious human rights violations in democratic South Africa.

The NPA says that for nearly a decade, families of the deceased have endured prolonged delays in the pursuit of justice.

“These delays were occasioned by the complexity of the case, the scale of the evidence, and the necessity of ensuring a thorough and legally sound process. The NPA acknowledges the pain and frustration experienced by affected families during this period.”

NPA National Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the delay in communicating the final decision was due to the incoming head of the NDPP, Advocate Andy Mothibi, having to be briefed about the decision.

After he was briefed, Mothibi expressed his appreciation for the progress in this matter and that the affected families and the public needed to be informed that the NPA has decided to institute prosecution in this matter.

The inquest proceedings, presided over by Judge Teffo, concluded with findings that several deaths were caused by negligence and systemic failures within the Gauteng Department of Health.

The court further identified individuals whose conduct may give rise to criminal liability.

“After careful consideration of the inquest findings, supporting evidence, and applicable legal standards, the NPA has resolved that there is sufficient basis to institute criminal prosecutions. The charges are expected to include culpable homicide, among others, against those deemed responsible for the unlawful and negligent actions that led to the deaths.”

Kganyago says this decision marks a critical step toward accountability and justice for the victims and their families.

He says further details regarding court dates and specific charges will be communicated in due course.