Agri Western Cape says it is aware of farmers experiencing ongoing challenges with diesel supply at certain retail depots, particularly in rural agriculture production areas.

The key concern is that supply is not consistently reaching the retail level.

Agri Western Cape says they have already received reports of “dry” depots, meaning that producers are unable to access diesel despite its broader availability.

The Western Cape and National governments have both reiterated that there is enough fuel supply in the province and the country, and cautioned against hoarding.

Agri WC CEO Jannie Strydom says they are deeply concerned about the situation.

“Diesel is a critical input for agriculture operations – from planting and harvesting to transport and logistics. Any disruption in supply poses direct risks to production, food security and the sustainability of farming operations.”

Strydom has called on all stakeholders in the fuel value chain to ensure full transparency and to address any bottlenecks at the distribution level without delay.

He says the matter requires immediate intervention to prevent further disruption in the agricultural sector.

Agri WC has already escalated the issue to the Provincial Disaster Management Department and Premier Alan Winde.

Winde has acknowledged that there are constraints in the system, but it has nothing to do with actual supply shortages.

He says they are investigating where and why supply disruptions are occurring, while monitoring the impact on key sectors like agriculture and transport.

A taxi driver was shot and killed in an early morning attack that has shaken the Delft community, which has already been on edge from a spate of recent gun-related incidents.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) says the 31-year-old man was fatally wounded at the corner of Orange and Hindle Roads in Leiden.

Police spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala says another person was injured and taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds to the chest and right arm.

“Members attended the scene at around 06:00 and found the body of a 31-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds. He was certified dead on the scene, while a second adult male victim was transported to a medical facility.”

Authorities say the circumstances around the attack remain under investigation, and the case has been handed over to provincial serious violent crime detectives.

While speculation links the shooting to local taxi violence, police have not confirmed the motive.

The deceased has been identified as a driver affiliated with the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA).

CODETA spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana says the organisation is saddened by the news that another driver was gunned down in the area, this following an earlier incident this month, in which a taxi boss was gunned down near the Palm taxi rank, Delft South.

“We do not yet know the motive, but one of our drivers was killed in this attack.”

The bail proceedings for corruption-accused Cape Town businessman, Shaun Roos, continue in court.  

He was in court on Monday and Tuesday, in connection with his alleged bid to put a hold on investigations into alleged tender fraud by offering City Manager Lungelo Mbandazayo money.  

READ MORE: City terminates all contracts with corruption accused Shaun Roos – Smile 90.4FM

During his appearance on Monday, Roos, the owner of Triple C Maintenance and Services, claimed he was trapped in an “extortion” operation involving the Mbandazayo and others. 

He confirmed the meeting, previously mentioned by the SAPS and the City of Cape Town, but claims that Mbandazayo had demanded money from him. 

“It was in fact he that was extorting from me not the other way around,” the court documents read.  

Further to this, Roos maintains his innocence, claiming the allegations stem from a legitimately awarded City tender. In his affidavit, he argues that his company fulfilled its contractual obligations and denies any wrongdoing. 

Roos further alleges that the case against him is rooted in claims made by a former employee, whom he accuses of stealing millions of rand from his business and attempting to deflect blame. He believes the police operation, which led to his arrest, was unlawfully conducted. 

He insists that the allegations are false and part of a broader attempt to implicate him in criminal conduct. 

The State refuted this, citing evidence of Roos’ request to stop investigations into alleged tender fraud, in exchange for gratification.  

The National Prosecuting Authority’s spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, confirmed that Roos’ bail application at Cape Town Magistrate’s Court will continue on Wednesday.  

“[Roos’ lawyer] read the defence affidavit as they applied for a Schedule 5 bail. The State responded by reading into the record the affidavit of the [investigating officer] who is opposing bail. The matter was rolled over to [Wednesday] morning for [Roos’ lawyer] to respond.” 

The Department of Water and Sanitation have raised concerns over declining dam levels in the Western Cape, warning of growing pressure on water supply systems amid below-normal rainfall expectations.

Speaking during National Water Month, Provincial Head Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa said the province’s major dams are now sitting at about 48%, down significantly from over 65% at the same time last year.

The Olifants-Doorn catchment is hovering around 30%, while the Theewaterskloof Dam, the province’s largest, has also declined sharply to about 47%.

The dams in and around Cape Town form part of the Western Cape Water Supply System, with Cape Town’s major dams sitting on 49% on average.

Authorities say the drop is being driven by a combination of low rainfall, high water consumption, ageing infrastructure leading to leaks, and rising temperatures increasing evaporation.

The Garden Route is among the hardest-hit areas, with parts of Knysna facing critical localised water shortages.

The Department says interventions are underway, including fixing leaks, exploring groundwater sources, upgrading infrastructure, and enforcing water restrictions where necessary. A decision on water restrictions has however, not been taken yet.

The City of Cape Town has warned that restrictions may have to be implemented soon.

Long-term plans also include expanding dam capacity and boosting supply through augmentation projects.

Residents are being urged to use water sparingly as forecasts from the South African Weather Service point to continued below-average rainfall in the coming months, raising the risk of further declines.