An 83-year-old man was among five suspects arrested by the South African Police Service (SAPS) West Coast District officers after authorities seized 418 West Coast rock lobsters, a lobster tail, and an octopus, valued at over R209 000 yesterday.

The arrests followed an early warning issued to the community on Wednesday, cautioning residents that possession of lobsters during the red tide would lead to arrests.

Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk says members of the West Coast District, along with other stakeholders, were conducting cross-border operations when two vehicles sped past them on Elands Bay Road.

“Police pursued the vehicles, but one drove off the road, prompting authorities to alert neighbouring stations. The second vehicle was eventually lost in heavy mist.”

Following a search, officers discovered a Nissan LDV parked on the roadside near Laaiplek.

“Inside was an elderly male, 83 years old, who told officers that his passengers had fled. A search of the vehicle revealed a police identity card belonging to a member stationed in the West Coast District.”

Using a private drone, the remaining four suspects were located and arrested.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has officially confirmed that he is in the running to become the next Federal Leader of the Democratic Alliance, positioning himself as a key contender to succeed outgoing leader John Steenhuisen. 

Hill-Lewis announced following weeks of speculation after Steenhuisen revealed he would not seek re-election.  

During a briefing at the Elsies River Civic Centre on Friday morning, the mayor said his decision was driven by a sense of duty and optimism about South Africa’s future. 

“It is with a sense of pride and excitement that I today announce that I am standing to be the next leader of the Democratic Alliance… With deep love for our country, I will work arm in arm with each of you to lead our country on the path to prosperity.” Hill-Lewis said.  

He added that the leadership contest presents “an opportunity for our party to renew itself again and to reach for even greater heights.” 

The DA’s Cilliers Brink and Siviwe Gwarube endorsed Hill-Lewis for the position. 

“Cape Town and the Western Cape can’t have all the good things for themselves… we need to roll out what we’ve done in this place with the leadership that we’ve achieved at this place to the rest of the country,” said Brink.  

Meanwhile, Education Minister Gwarube confirmed she had formally nominated Hill-Lewis.  

“I nominated Geordin because I believe in his ability to lead the DA, and I believe in his ability to help lead South Africa into a new era of possibility.” 

Speaking to his vision for the party should he be elected at the Federal Congress in April, Hill-Lewis stressed unity and confidence in the country’s potential.  

“When I go to Congress, when I will be asking for a mandate to build a stronger DA, because if we are going to build a stronger South Africa, then we must have a stronger Democratic Alliance. Stronger DA, stronger SA… that is our mission,” Hill-Lewis said.  

The four key points he highlighted for his campaign were to show how well the DA governs, to close the gap with the citizens who have never voted for the party, to make an impact in the Government of National Unity and “lead with belief in South Africa”.  

“If elected as leader of the Democratic Alliance, I will make it my mission to restore hope in our country. I’m talking about the hope that comes when we genuinely adopt a can-do mindset, when we run towards our hardest problems instead of constantly ignoring them”.   

He also took a moment to reflect on his role leading the City of Cape Town, noting that his time in that role has shown that “decline is preventable, that failure is reversible, that we can move forward if we show leadership even in the face of our hardest, most intractable challenges”. 

There are 8 billion reasons to act on obesity with World Obesity Day 2026 to be commemorated on 4 March this year.

The global health community will unite to raise awareness about the fact that there are numerous root causes for obesity. In particular this year, the Foundation wishes to highlight the fact that obesity is also classified as a medical condition.

 

“Obesity is one of the key risk factors for heart disease, strokes and the associated risk factors. “

There are 8 billion reasons to act on obesity

Guided by the World Obesity Federation, using the theme: “8 billion reasons to act on obesity”, many relevant health-related stakeholders will drive action on the detection, prevention and treatment of obesity. The theme highlights the fact that each of the 8 billion people on the planet deserves a future with good health.

“Obesity is a broad societal issue accompanied by an obesogenic environment that requires comprehensive action plans to reduce its burden,” says Prof Pamela Naidoo, CEO of HSFSA.

World Obesity Day

World Obesity Day (WOD) provides a crucial opportunity to address the growing health challenge affecting over 1 billion people. This includes 159 million children worldwide, with projections indicating that half the global population will be living with overweight and obesity by 2035.

Naidoo adds, “By changing the environment, providing support, and UTILIZING science-backed treatment options, we can empower individuals to make better health choices to combat obesity”.

 

The prevalence of obesity among school-aged children has risen five-fold. This is from 4% in 1975 to about 20% in 2022. This increase in childhood obesity is contributing to the early onset of non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions.

The prevalence of obesity among school-aged children has risen five-fold

South African-specific prevalence figures are also concerning: more than half of adults are living with overweight or obesity, with two-thirds of women affected. As we mark World Obesity Day, one of the key areas gaining attention is the role of GLP-1 medications in treating obesity. GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) is a natural hormone that helps control appetite and blood sugar levels.

South African-specific prevalence figures are also concerning

The term “GLP-1” is also commonly used to refer to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. This mimic this hormone. These medications treat type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing appetite and improving blood sugar control. Developed for diabetes management, they grabbed public attention when studies revealed significant weight loss benefits. There’s increasing evidence showing the effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonists. This led the WHO to develop its first-ever guidelines on these drugs in 2025. The guidelines provide conditional recommendations for treating adults with obesity.

The WHO has a three-pillar strategy for obesity prevention and management:

-> Healthier Environments: Make healthy food and exercise options more accessible and affordable. This includes regulating the marketing of unhealthy foods, especially to kids, and encouraging food manufacturers to prioritise nutrition, such as the Foundation’s Heart Mark Endorsement Program.

-> Protect Those at Risk: Identify individuals likely to develop obesity early through risk assessment screenings, and provide early support with healthy habits and regular check-ins.

-> Lifelong Care: Offer ongoing guidance and support for sustainable health outcomes. Ensure equal access to everyone.