Another fatal attack involving a Pit Bull has sparked renewed debate about stricter regulations for the breed and the role of responsible ownership.

This comes after the death in hospital of 44-year-old Mitchells Plain resident Faziela Swartz on 3 February, after she was attacked by her son’s Pit Bull in the backyard of her home in Morgenster, on 28 January.

A video of the gruesome incident was widely shared. While two dogs were allegedly involved, only one was confirmed to be a Pit Bull. Both dogs were voluntarily surrended by the owner (the victim’s son) and euthanized.

While the City of Cape Town’s Animal Keeping By-law (2021) requires all dogs over the age of six months to be sterilized, and owners to get prior written permission from the municipality for breeding purposes, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA says spesific rules around power breeds may be needed.

Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham says in addition to compulsary sterilization, those who chose to own a Pit Bull should perhaps be required to have a permit with set criteria.

Abraham has however emphasised that aggression is not a breed or a dog type issue, it’s a people issue.

“Dogs behave according to how they’re bred, how they’re raised, how they’re handled, and breed-specific legislation will not address the real causes of attacks. That includes things like neglect, poor socialization, irresponsible ownership, and irresponsible breeding, which includes breeding traits like human aggression into a otherwise non-human aggressive dog type.”

The Pit Bull Federation of South Africa (PBFSA) says this tragic incident is another opportunity to learn.

“We are committed to educating the public about Pit Bulls — but we can’t do it alone. We need your help. Let’s be absolutely clear: Pit Bulls are NOT inherently aggressive toward humans. Our breed standard has zero tolerance for human aggression. When a Pit Bull shows aggressive behaviour, it is a reflection of handling, environment, and ownership — not the breed itself.”

The City’s By-Laws require dog owners to keep dangerous dogs, defined as an animal that is wild, vicious, or has a habit of charging people or vehicles, to be kept in an adequate enclosure, ensuring they cannot escape, and display signage warning of a dangerous animal on the property.

In public places, these animals must be kept on a leash and, if necessary, muzzled in public.

Owners are responsible for any damage or injury caused by their dogs, and owners must also notify the City if a dog classified as dangerous bites a person/animal, escapes, or is moved to a new address.

Dogs found in violation of the by-laws may be impounded, and fees will be charged for their release. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines, legal action, or, in severe cases, the removal of the animal.

Multiple areas across the Western Cape have been left without electricity as severe weather hits the province. 

This follows warnings by the South African Weather Service of severe thunderstorms, with heavy rain, hail and possible flooding, over Cape Town, the Cape Winelands and the Overberg regions for Monday. 

As a result, Eskom confirmed that customers in various parts of the region are currently experiencing power outages. 

Among the affected locations are parts of Khayelitsha, Tafelbaai (including Cape Town Harbour, Metrorail and the Foreshore), Nomzamo in Strand, as well as various areas in the Cape Winelands. 

“The adverse weather conditions have resulted in network faults and infrastructure damage in certain locations,” read the Eskom statement.  

Eskom said technical teams have been deployed to assess the extent of the damage and begin restoration work.  

“Technical teams are currently onsite working to assess the damage and restore supply as soon as it is safe to do so.” 

Residents have been urged to remain cautious during the severe weather.  

 “Treat all electrical infrastructure as live and exercise extreme caution during this period.” 

The power utility further appealed to those affected for patience as work is being done to restore faults amid “challenging weather conditions”.  

A 25-year-old suspect has been arrested following a fatal stabbing in Loganberry Street, Bonteheuwel.

A 58-year-old, Louis Van Sensie, was stabbed while attempting to intervene in an altercation yesterday. The South African Police Services (SAPS) spokesperson FC Van Wyk says she was declared dead on arrival at hospital.

“According to reports, the suspect came to the deceased house looking for a friend. The deceased husband informed the suspect, that he’s friend is asleep and that he is not going to wake him. The suspect got angry and he attacked the husband with a knife. The deceased husband then also took a knife and retaliated. The deceased then tried to stop the fight, she was then also stabbed by the suspect in her shoulder. Both the suspect and deceased were taken to hospital, where the woman was declared deceased on arrival.”

Van Wyk confirmed that the suspect remains under police watch guard while receiving treatment for injuries sustained.

Meanwhile Bonteheuwel Ward councillor Angus McKenzie says the community is in deep mourning, as not even a week ago, another female was fatally stabbed in the area.

“It is completely unacceptable that, after losing Shireena Birch to gender based violence, our community is once again mourning the loss of another woman, under such brutal and senseless circumstances. This cannot become normal. It cannot be accepted.”

Also read: Update: Man in custody following Bonteheuwel women’s murder

McKenzie urged SAPS to fast track its investigations to ensure that justice is served.

“I condemn this act in the strongest possible terms. I sincerely hope that the South African Police Service and the justice system share the deep frustration and anger felt by our communities, and that they will act decisively to ensure justice is served and that those who commit these heinous crimes against women are held fully accountable.”

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis visited communities along the N2 airport precinct over the weekend, amid criticism over the City’s plan to construct a security barrier along the highway. 

The City in January confirmed plans to allocate R114 million in its adjustment budget for the “N2 Edge Project”, aimed at improving safety for commuters, pedestrians and residents along a 9km stretch of the busy route.  

The road has become notorious for frequent smash-and-grab incidents and has been dubbed the “Hell Run”. 

ALSO READ:  R114m earmarked to build security wall on N2 “Hell Run” – Smile 90.4FM

“The N2 already has a security barrier, it is just completely dilapidated and there is nearly nothing left of it. It needs to be replaced,” said Hill-Lewis during a council meeting on 29 January 2026. 

According to the City, the project will include safety barrier repairs and reinforcements, new pedestrian crossings, improved lighting and access control, safety barriers for recreational spaces, safer grazing practices and measures to reduce illegal dumping. 

Hill-Lewis, who said he had not encountered residents opposed to the project during his visit, maintains the barrier is necessary to protect the hundreds of thousands of motorists who use the N2 daily.   

The ANC’s Ndithini Tyhido told SmileFM that the party is completely opposed to the erection of the wall.  

He suggests that violence in Cape Town needs to be addressed by a “whole society mobilisation” and not by building a wall.  

“What is clear is that the mayor of Cape Town is not familiar with working with cross-section of stakeholders in society in dealing with societal issues. You can’t just wall violent crime away,” said Tyhido 

He added that he suspects there’s another agenda at play with the proposal of the wall.  

“It is our belief that what has been walled away is not crime, actually it’s the poverty. People feel embarrassed, the mayor feels embarrassed.” 

Tyhido added that the mayor interviewed people about the wall but failed to ask questions about what the communities need.  

“He did not interview them about whether they needed toilets so that they can stop relieving themselves along the N2, which is a real reason for the City of Cape Town wanting to put the wall across along the N2. So the ANC is opposed to the wall.” 

Tyhido said the City’s plans are a “misappropriation of residents’ monies”, which he notes could instead be used for social housing.  

“The money that is put for the wall, it can be put to knock down the ever-growing housing waiting list for the city of Cape Town,” said Tyhido.  

A SANDF camouflage uniform was confiscated during a raid in Ravensmead. Police also recovered drugs and cash.

The camouflage uniform was among the items confiscated during a raid

Police Captain Frederick C van Wyk says members attached to Operation Lockdown III had received intelligence of a premises in Pinedene Street, Ravensmead. It was alleged that gangs were involved in selling drugs from these premises. Information was also given to them that firearms might also be kept hidden at this location.

SANDF-Uniform and drugs seized

Captain van Wyk says the members followed up on the information received on Saturday, 2026-02-07 at 22:03. He says officers approached the mentioned premises and searched it and the occupant. They found one SANDF camouflage uniform, one big bag containing dagga, 118 dagga cigarettes and R2779.00 cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Members arrested a 37-year-old man. He was taken to the Ravensmead police station. The suspect will face charges for being in possession and dealing in dagga, as well as possession of state property (SANDF uniform). Van Wyk says he will appear in the Bellville Magistrates court on Monday, 9 February 2026, on the mentioned charges.