Police are continuing investigations to track down traffickers linked to a massive drug bust at OR Tambo International Airport involving narcotics worth R2.8 million last week.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said police officers discovered crystal meth valued at R2.2 million at a cargo warehouse within the airport on Wednesday.
“The crystal meth was destined for the Philippines. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for this trafficking network.”
During another operation, dagga with an estimated street value of nearly R700 000 was seized at the airport on Thursday.
“The second drug bust was made at another cargo warehouse, where eight large boxes containing dagga worth R672 000 were discovered. The dagga was shipped from Morocco and was destined for South Africa,” she added.
Police have emphasised that further efforts are underway to uncover the full scope of the operation and bring the suspects to justice.
How many swearwords do you think you use a day? If we’re anything like our American counterparts we’d be averaging about 90 expletives a day. When you’re in places you shouldn’t actually swear but still feel the need to express yourself, you get creative.
The upgrade of the Muizenberg beachfront is progressing well. The contractor is currently placing the precast concrete slabs that form the revetment and promenade walkway along the western side of the beachfront. Once this project is complete, most of the steps will be covered by sand. Thus, what will be visible to the naked eye will look a lot different than what is currently the case. Next week, the four beach huts on this side will be dismantled and removed as well.
The City of Cape Town has given a progress update on upgrades to the Muizenberg beachfront, which the Metro says is on track for completion by December 2026, just in time for the next summer season.
The refurbishment project entails replacing the aged seawalls and major upgrades to public amenities.
Officials say about 15% of the concrete precast units for the new promenade walkway have now been placed by using a large crane that is operating from Surfer’s Corner. This will provide coastal protection while also providing beach access at varied levels.
Most of the steps will be below beach level and invisible to visitors, as it will be buried under sand under normal conditions.
By next week, the contractor will start with the dismantling of the four beach huts on the western side of the beachfront. The huts on the eastern side will be dismantled by mid-year, as the project progresses to that section.
The eight removed huts will be replaced with eight new huts of improved quality for increased durability, while following the historic design and pattern arrangement as part of the upgrade project
Large sections of the beachfront remain fenced off to ensure public safety and security while excavations are ongoing.
The upgrade of the Muizenberg beachfront is progressing well. The contractor is currently placing the precast concrete slabs that form the revetment and promenade walkway along the western side of the beachfront. Once this project is complete, most of the steps will be covered by sand. Thus, what will be visible to the naked eye will look a lot different than what is currently the case. Next week, the four beach huts on this side will be dismantled and removed as well.
The City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews, says the construction of the connection to the St James Walkway is now complete, and so is the new NGO building that Waves for Change will occupy.
Access to the St James Walkway will only be open to the public once the western parking precinct next to the railway line has been completed.
“The old ablution building was demolished in January, and currently, we are busy placing the precast concrete units that form the stepped revetment and promenade walkway. This work is ongoing on the western side of the beachfront, and visitors will see the huge crane operating in this area. I want to put residents at ease by mentioning that once this project is complete, most of the steps will be covered by sand. Thus, what will be visible to the naked eye once the project is complete will look a lot different from what is currently the case.”
Andrews says they are taking advantage of the good weather as much as possible before the rainy season kicks in.
Residents have been invited to attend a free community event at the beachfront on Saturday, 14 March 2026, starting from 07:30.
This family-friendly event includes a beach clean-up session, an ocean-inspired Elevate guided movement and dance session with headphones on the beach.
Please note: Limited headphones are available for the Elevate session, with interested residents advised to book early to avoid missing out.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has encouraged parents of prospective Grades R, 1 and 8 learners of 2027 to collect the required documents so that they are ready to apply when the on-time school admissions application window opens.
The on-time applications window opens on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, and will close on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
According to the department, applying on time is essential to ensure that your child is included in the first round of applications and to support the WCED’s planning for the 2027 school year.
“Parents are responsible for ensuring that they submit their applications for admission on time.”
Documents required for all applications
Parents and caregivers must upload copies of the following documents when submitting an application:
The learner’s most recent official school report (where applicable)
Certified proof of identity of the learner:
Birth certificate, ID or passport.
For foreign learners: a passport, a study permit, proof of application for a permit, or a copy of the parents’ asylum seeker or refugee permit.
If none of the above is available, a South African Police Service affidavit will be accepted.
Immunisation card (Road to Health Certificate) – required for primary school applications
Proof of residence (such as a municipal account, lease agreement, or affidavit confirming residence.
“Preparing these documents before the application period opens will make the process quicker, easier, and less stressful.”
The department added that it will also host pop-up admission sites across the province during the on-time application window. These sites will support parents who need help completing online applications or who do not have internet access.
The Western Cape Government has condemned the recent assault of a farmer near Lambert’s Bay, as police investigate attempted murder and stock theft.
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain F.C. Van Wyk confirmed that the incident took place last Thursday just before midday, near a farm along the R365. A 56-year-old male victim, identified as Hugo Louw, was found there.
“The victim sustained several wounds to his head. He was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment,” said Van Wyk.
Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism MEC, Dr Ivan Meyer, believes there may have been an altercation between the farmer and suspected stock thieves. Police have confirmed that they are working to establish the circumstances of the incident.
“The incident followed a confrontation between Mr. Louw and suspected stock thieves. He was assaulted next to the roadway and later airlifted in critical condition to Christiaan Barnard Hospital in Cape Town,” said Meyer.
Van Wyk added that at the time the victim was being transported to the hospital, two suspects were spotted hiding in bushes near the scene.
“The suspects had blood stains on their clothes and near the scene a slaughtered sheep was found that was hidden in the bushes.”
Police noted that three suspects were subsequently arrested.
“A case of attempted murder and stock theft was registered for investigation,” said Van Wyk.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Saturday, Meyer strongly condemned the attack. He noted that incidents like this have far-reaching and “severe” impacts.
“I am deeply saddened and outraged by the attack on Mr. Hugo Louw. Acts of violence against farmers and agri-workers threaten not only the safety of those who feed our nation but also the stability of our agricultural economy. Stock theft and violent crime undermine livelihoods, weaken rural communities, and place immense emotional and financial strain on farming families,” said Meyer.
Meyer further said that his department would oppose bail in the case against the suspects, because he “wants justice for our farmers across South Africa”.
“Every attack on a farmer or agri-worker is an attack on the agricultural sector itself. We will continue to advocate for stronger policing resources, better crime intelligence, and effective prosecution of those who target our rural communities.”
Meyer also praised the swift response and cooperation between law enforcement and local farm watch groups, adding that collaboration is a vital in improving rural safety across the Western Cape.
“The Minister wished Mr. Louw a full and swift recovery and extended his support to the Louw family and the surrounding community during this difficult time,” said Meyer.
Meyer was among a group of people that gathered at the Lambert’s Bay Magistrates Court on Monday morning, for the suspects’ first court appearance.
