Extreme tidal conditions are expected at local beaches over the long weekend, considering the full moon spring tide.  

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) advised that higher high tides, lower low tides and strong rip currents can be expected for the next few days. Conditions will peak on Thursday, 2 April. 

“This natural phenomenon occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth align during the full moon phase, amplifying the gravitational pull on the Earth’s oceans,” said the NSRI in a statement.  

The NSRI warns of the effects of the spring tide and urges beachgoers, anglers and hikers to be vigilant.  

“Water levels will rise significantly, reaching further up the shoreline; more of the seabed will be exposed as water levels dip below average; the difference between high and low tide levels will be at its maximum.” 

The NSRI said these conditions will result in stronger-than-usual currents posing risks in certain areas, especially areas like the Knysna Heads.  

NSRI Communications Manager Andrew Ingram encourages beachgoers to swim at lifeguard-protected beaches and remain between designated flags, while advising anglers to keep a safe distance from the water and to wear flotation gear when fishing from rocks or cliffs. 

“Follow tide timetables, stay informed with local weather updates from the South African Weather Service and always prioritise safety. For emergencies, dial 112,” said Ingram.  

The NSRI also cautioned against alcohol consumption before taking part in water activities and urged close supervision of children near the water.  

READ MORE: Water safety tips 

A drive-by shooting in Manenberg has claimed the lives of two people earlier today, leaving residents disheartened by the ongoing shootings in and around the area.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) says a 34-year-old man was gunned down while standing at a local tuck shop in Tousberg Road when he was riddled with bullets. Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk says the victim died on the scene.

“According to reports, the male was standing at a tuck shop when a silver VW Polo drove towards him and stopped. Four armed suspects alighted the vehicle and randomly fired several shots at the victim, hitting him multiple times in the upper body.”

Van Wyk added that another person was fatally shot by the assailants during their attempt to flee the scene.

“While fleeing the scene, they approached a 27-year-old male on a bicycle at the corner of Tousberg and Sugarloaf Road and shot at him, and as he fell to the ground, they got out of their vehicle, walked up to him, and fired several gunshots at him, fatally wounding him.”

Vanessa Adriaanse, deputy chairperson of the Manenberg Community Police Forum (CPF), has expressed that the shooting comes on the heels of children enjoying their Easter school break, who are now forced to stay indoors due to these senseless murders.

“It is so sad that these incidents are happening during the school holidays. What are they gaining by keeping the children hostage in their own communities?”

Adriaanse says children are so desperate for some reprieve that they are celebrating the fact the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be deployed to help quell violence.

“It is so sad that these children are happy about the deployment. They think it is something to look forward to; they can’t wait for violence to end, and this is not normal. They don’t understand that the deployment is an extreme measure to fight crime, but to them it seems like the only way out.”

 

Manenberg police have since registered two counts of murder. Anyone with information can contact Manenberg SAPS 021 699 9400 or Crime Stop 08600 10111.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Minister Gwede Mantashe have confirmed short-term relief measures to address escalating fuel price increases due to the conflict in the Middle East.

In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, 31 March, the Ministers said consultations were held between the National Treasury and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to explore measures to provide relief to consumers, while maintaining a stable and sustainable fuel supply system.

The agreed approach consists of an immediate intervention for the next month, and a broader package of measures to support households and key sectors of the economy.

The general fuel levy will be temporarily reduced by R3 per litre from Wednesday, 1 April 2026, to Tuesday, 5 May 2026.

This will reduce the general fuel levy for petrol from R4.10 per litre to R1.10 per litre and the general fuel levy for diesel from R3.93 per litre to R0.93 per litre for one month.

These amounts exclude other levies such as the Road Accident Fund levy and the Carbon Fuel Levy.

The Ministers say this partial reduction in the fuel levy will cost around R6 billion in foregone tax revenue for the one-month period. The relief measure will be re-evaluated on a monthly basis for the following two months.

Mechanisms to recoup this lost revenue, within the fiscal framework approved during the 2026 Budget, will be implemented.

Had the government not acted, consumers would be facing increases of R6 a litre on petrol and more than R10 per litre on diesel.

From 1 April 2026, this is what you’ll pay for fuel:

• Petrol 93: R 3.06 per litre increase
• Petrol 95: R 3.06 per litre increase
• Diesel (0.05% sulphur): R7.37 per litre increase.
• Diesel (0.005% sulphur): R7.51 per litre increase.
• Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): R11.67 per litre increase.
• LPGas: R1.08 per kg (R1.23 per kg in the Western Cape)

Mantashe has also reassured the public that there is sufficient fuel supply in the country to meet current and projected demand.

Reports of shortages in certain areas are largely due to localised distribution and logistical challenges driven by panic buying rather than a lack of national fuel stocks, and these are expected to self-correct in the coming days.

Motorists and businesses are encouraged to purchase fuel responsibly and avoid unnecessary stockpiling.

The Fuels Industry Association of South Africa confirmed that May and June import deliveries are currently being finalised by the industry.

The industry body confirmed that above‑normal service‑station demand is contributing to current supply tightness, while limited road tanker availability is adding pressure.

This has resulted in delivery delays and intermittent stock‑outs in several regions.

Despite an increase in dry‑site reports driven by heightened diesel demand in anticipation of the price increase, suppliers are actively working to stabilise deliveries and maintain stock continuity.

A surge in fatal road crashes across the Western Cape has left 30 people dead over the past week. This has prompted intensified roadside checks by Western Cape Provincial Traffic Services ahead of the Easter long weekend.

30 Lives Lost in One Week

Authorities recorded 26 fatal crashes during the past week, with pedestrians emerging as the most vulnerable road users. Nineteen pedestrians were killed, including three people who died on the same road in Parow within days of each other. A devastating collision on the R45 between Hopefield and Langebaanweg claimed five lives (3 men and 2 women), highlighting the deadly consequences of reckless and unlawful driving.

Deadly Road Crashes Spark Intensified Traffic Crackdown

In response, traffic officers stopped more than 31,000 vehicles across the province, resulting in 63 arrests for serious offences. Among these were 51 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI). This is a major contributing factor to fatal crashes. One incident involved a minibus taxi driver who allegedly struck a pedestrian on the N2 near Nekkies in Knysna before fleeing the scene.

A minibus taxi driver was arrested

The driver, who was not carrying passengers at the time, was intercepted and arrested minutes later. In Swellendam, another driver was arrested after allegedly failing to stop following a crash that caused significant damage to property and animals.

Public transport safety was also in the spotlight. A taxi driver transporting 14 passengers was arrested for DUI near Brackenfell. Another driver in Grabouw was arrested for using fraudulent documentation while carrying passengers.

The province’s Easter Road Safety Plan

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said the high number of deaths underscores the urgency of the province’s Easter Road Safety Plan. He warned that behaviour such as drunk driving, hit-and-run incidents and disregard for road laws often leads to tragic and preventable loss of life. Traffic authorities are urging all motorists to obey the law. Please drive responsibly and remember that every reckless decision on the road can cost lives.