The Western Cape Government has sought to allay concerns linked to claims that officers have been moved from the Franschhoek police station.
MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, advised that she had been made aware that 15 police officers attached to the Franschhoek SAPS had recently received “letters of intention to suspend or transfer” them.
“… following ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities at the station,” said Marais in a statement.
Marais said information that the officers would no longer be at the station has raised concerns over policing in the area, particularly suggesting that it “be crippled”.
She noted that she has been in discussion with the SAPS provincial management on the matter.
“The SAPS has given the assurance that service delivery in Franschhoek will not be affected,” read the statement.
It’s believed that “replacement personnel” are already working at the station.
The concerns follow a series of robberies last year that specifically targeted guest houses in the popular tourist destination.
Email: Western Cape Police Ombudsman – westerncape.gov.za/police-ombudsman.
“Allegations of police misconduct can also be reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) by calling 021 941 4800 or emailing Complaints.WesternCape@ipid.gov.za,” read the statement.
The Western Cape Government confirmed it will track any developments on the matter, “to ensure accountability and the maintenance of effective policing services in the community”.
A request for comment has been submitted to the Western Cape SAPS media office. This article will be updated to include their statement should one be provided.
Around 30 000 cyclists will take part in the Cape Town Cycle Tour this weekend. But this event is not about just one cycle race, a whole range of activities will be held in the Mother City, over the next few days. This is ahead of the big race on Sunday.
“This is a powerful reminder that the Cape Town Cycle Tour is not just a race, but a global draw-card,” said May-co Member, JP Smith.
Ahead of the Cycle Tour on Sunday, there is also an expo, a couple of days before.
The Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith says this year’s 48th Edition of the race, will see Cape Town Cycle Tour week kicking off on Thursday, 5 March. Rider registration will take place over 3 days at the Lifecycle Expo at the DHL Stadium. The world’s largest timed cycle race takes place on Sunday, 8 March 2026.
Smith elaborated, “This week, thousands more riders from across South Africa and the world will descend on the Mother City, filling hotels, restaurants and public spaces as they prepare to take on one of the most iconic cycling routes in the world. “
Cape Town Cycle Tour Expo
Smith says around 10 000 of the approximately 30 000 cyclists expected to take part will travel from outside the Mother City to take part in the 2026 Cape Town Cycle Tour. He says, in 2025, the other 10 000 travelling cyclists came from more than 60 countries.
He added, “The City will once again assist the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust to ensure that participants have a smooth and safe journey around the peninsula.”
Logistics for Race day
Smith says thousands of cyclists will take on the 109km and the 42km from the CBD. The other races are the 78km invitational Women’s Race and U17 Boys Race from Fish Hoek. He says the traditional 109km route starts at the Grand Parade at 06:16. It circles the Cape Peninsula before finishing on Helen Suzman Boulevard in Green Point.
Cape Town Cycle Tour 2016.
What is also important to know is that the 78km Invitational Women’s Race (06:20) and the U17 Boys Race (06:15) will once again start in Fish Hoek. Both these races finish in Green Point. Smith added that the increasingly popular 42km route provides a shorter, but no less memorable experience. It draws riders through the southern suburbs via the M3 before finishing in the city. This ride will set off from 10AM.
Information about the Cycle Tour Expo
The City can expect an influx of about 35 000 people who will the expo over the next few days. This expo has been described in the past as a celebration of cycling, health and fitness under one roof. It will feature over 80 exhibitors. They are showcasing the latest in cycling gear, nutrition, technology and apparel.
“The City will deploy their Safety and Security personnel from Traffic Services, Metro Police, Law Enforcement and Disaster Risk Management along the route,” Smith commented.
Cycle Tour participants and children under 12 years, who wish to attend the Expo can do so free of charge. However for those who are not taking part in the race of who are children, older than 12, there is a cost implication of R50.
Here are the operating hours:
Thursday, 5 March: 09:30 – 19:00
Friday, 6 March: 09:00 – 19:00
Saturday, 7 March: 09:00 – 16:00
You are reminded that public parking is available at CTICC P1 (paid), P9, P11, P12 and P13. There is also a dedicated bike park and disabled parking in P5 and P13.
Where can spectators go
Smith has encouraged residents and visitors to bring the gees. You are encouraged to line the route to do this. He says the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust has identified spectator-friendly spots along the route where members of the public can watch and cheer on the cyclists.
Mostert’s Mill (M3).
Edinburgh Drive (Wynberg Park).
Ladies Mile.
Steenberg Road.
Jubilee Square in Simon’s Town.
Noordhoek Farm Village.
Hout Bay CBD.
Camps Bay Main Road.
Sea Point Promenade.
Race Finish on Helen Suzman Boulevard in Green Point.
City Statement about Road Closures and Public Transport
Residents and motorists are advised that minor road closures will be in effect in some areas from Friday with hard closures in place on Saturday, 7 March and Sunday, 8 March 2026, particularly in the CBD, Green Point, Sea Point, Southern Suburbs and the Deep South.
Key closures include:
Sections of Helen Suzman Boulevard.
Chapman’s Peak Drive.
M3 Highway (outbound).
Nelson Mandela Boulevard (N2 outbound).
Hospital Bend Interchange.
Victoria Road, Camps Bay.
Main Road (M4) through the Deep South.
Castle Street between Darling and Stand streets will be closed from 19:00 on Friday until 06:00 on Saturday to allow for the construction of the start gantry. The situation intensifies on Saturday, 7 March, as multiple streets, including sections of Castle Street, Darling Street, and Strand Street will be closed in the CBD from 14:00 until late on Sunday afternoon.
A three-stop bus shuttle between Hanover Street and Adderley Street will operate to ease passenger travel in and out of the city. Services at the terminus will resume by 15:00 on Sunday. Due to the road closures, the City’s Kommetjie and Simon’s Town waste drop off facilities will be closed on race day. Alternative facilities are Retreat (closes at 13:00 on Sunday) and the Coastal Park Landfill Site on Baden Powell Drive, which operates until 14:00 on Sunday.
Immediately after the online auction concluded, reports emerged that the Good Hope Centre sold for R135 million and that the winning bid was placed by the Nigerian-born leader of the Spirit Revelation Ecclesia, Pastor John Anosike.
But the City has clarified that an audit is now underway to determine the validity of all the bids received, which is standard procedure. The City’s Media Manager confirmed to Smile FM there are currently no timeframes at the moment, and that due process is being followed.
Some of the questions that the City is seeking to answer with the audit include:
The status of the bidders from a tax, ownership, risk and financial compliance point of view
Whether Municipal Asset Transfer Regulation requirements been met, including whether the price achieved meets the valuation of the various sites
Regarding the Good Hope Centre in particular, should it be established that a qualifying bid has been received, this will be vetted in detail to ensure that the bidder complies fully with the requirements of the Offer To Purchase and the Development Facilitation Agreement.
All bids for the various sites that are successfully vetted will then be presented to the Immovable Property Adjudication Committee (IPAC), followed by City Council for final approval.
The City has previously said it envisages a major redevelopment of the precinct, which would include a mix of residential, commercial and retail use.
A South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldier facing criminal charges of possession will return to court in May, after being granted bail at the Goodwood Magistrates’ Court.
The 51-year-old accused, Jonathan Levendal, appeared in the dock on Monday following his arrest over the weekend. The arrest follows an operation by the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) at a residence on Delphi Street, Eureka Estate, in Ravensmead.
According to Western Cape police spokesperson, Captain F.C. Van Wyk, the unit acted on intelligence regarding a military member allegedly storing weapons on his property.
Van Wyk noted that upon arrival, officers found the house empty but noticed suspicious concrete under a carpet.
“…in one room, under a carpet a member saw concrete with plastic sticking out. The members then broke the concrete with a sledgehammer after which were found a steel box buried in the ground.”
Items in the box included a Beretta Z88 pistol, an AR15 rifle frame, nitrocellulose (compound used for explosives), and a Claymore anti-personnel mine.
“The AGU members arrested a 51-year-old male in connection with the discovery on Saturday, 2026-02-28 at 02:45,” said Van Wyk.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that the legal process is underway, with the accused having appeared in court on Monday. He’s facing charges for the possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives, which has since been transported to the Ravensmead SAPS s exhibits.
“The case against Jonathan Levendal has been postponed until 06 May 2026 after the court set bail. The case has been postponed for further investigation,” said NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila.
Reports indicate that bail was set at R6,000.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Organised Crime Detectives’ Firearms Investigations Unit has taken over the docket as they probe the origin and intended use of the military-grade equipment.
Questions are mounting over the Trump administration’s reasons for launching airstrikes on Iran, as conflicting explanations from senior officials have emerged.
On Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to undercut earlier claims that Iran was preparing an imminent attack on the United States.
Rubio told reporters the US knew that Israel was planning to strike Iran and expected Tehran would retaliate against American forces. He said Washington acted preemptively to avoid higher casualties.
“We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action. We knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didn’t pre-emptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties.”
On Monday night, vice-president JD Vance said in an interview on Fox News that the US aim was to make sure “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon”.
“The president wants to make it clear to the Iranians and to the world that he is not going to rest until he accomplishes that all-important objective of ensuring that Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
President Trump offered a different version on Tuesday.
Speaking in the Oval Office, he said he believed Iran was going to attack first.
“If anything, I might have forced Israel’s hand,” Trump said, rejecting suggestions that Netanyahu pushed the United States into war.
Democratic Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he had seen no evidence of an imminent threat to the United States. He said there may have been a threat to Israel, but warned that equating that with a direct threat to America would be “uncharted territory.”
Senator Angus King also questioned whether Netanyahu had driven the escalation, pressing Pentagon policy official Elbridge Colby during a hearing.
The White House has pushed back strongly. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed claims that Israel dragged the US into the conflict.
The shifting explanations come as the administration cycles through multiple justifications for the war.
Initially, Trump said he was deploying forces to the Middle East in response to Iran’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. He later cited Iran’s nuclear programme, with special envoy Steve Witkoff claiming Tehran could develop a weapon within a week. US intelligence assessments have previously suggested Iran would not have that capability for years.
Trump then pointed to Iran’s ballistic missile programme, warning it could soon threaten US interests and possibly the American homeland. No public evidence was presented.
Most recently, he said Iran was preparing an imminent strike, a claim he insisted was unrelated to nuclear negotiations held days earlier in Geneva.
Iran has described the US/Israeli assault as unprovoked, denying that it is seeking a nuclear weapon.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) says more than 1,000 civilians have been killed in Iran since the conflict began. Missiles reportedly destroyed a girl’s primary school in Minab, southern Iran, killing around 150 and wounding almost 100.
A US military commander says it has hit more than 2,000 targets in the country. Iran is retaliating by launching missiles and drones, hitting infrastructure in several countries across the Middle East.
