Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has not ruled out that he may well decide to contest the DA’s leadership position in April, but he has emphasised that he has yet to make a firm decision on the matter.

Hill-Lewis’s name has popped up in numerous reports as the frontrunner to take over from John Steenhuisen, and the Mayor confirmed on X on Thursday morning that he has been approached by many party members to stand for the position of Federal leader.

It comes after Steenhuisen announced he will not contest the position at the upcoming Federal Congress.

The Mayor says his decision will be made public later in February:

“The DA’s internal campaign rules stipulate that public campaigning may only begin when the nomination period opens. That will happen later this month, which is when I will announce my intentions.”

Hill-Lewis says whatever is decided, he will remain committed to stand for a second term as the Mayor of Cape Town.

“It is the DA’s biggest government and our strongest platform as we head into the local elections.”

He says if he does stand for election as DA leader, he will welcome a robust and principled process “focused on competing ideas for the future of our party and our country.”

“We have many excellent leaders, and an open exchange of ideas can only strengthen us. Thank you to all those who have reached out to me. It is an honour to be considered, and whatever the outcome, our focus must remain on serving every South African and building a country of hope.”

Six of the learners at Milnerton High, facing charges in connection with the alleged assault of a fellow learner, will be expelled from the school.  

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed that the decision to expel the learners follows an internal disciplinary process at the school, which was reviewed and supported at a departmental level. 

“The Head of Department has upheld the recommendation by the school governing body of Milnerton High School to expel 6 learners from the school following the outcome of the disciplinary processes,” said WCED spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond.  

Hammond further confirmed that this relates to five of the learners, who are in Grade 12, and one who is in Grade 10. 

The group are allegedly seen in a viral video, repeatedly hitting a learner with various objects.  

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Meanwhile, the criminal case against the learners continues in court. In total, eight learners are each facing a count of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Six of them are being tried as adults, and two others as juveniles.  

They made their second court appearance in separate courts on 20 January, with six of the accused appearing together and the latter two juveniles appearing together. The matter was previously postponed, on 23 October 2025, to allow the accused to write their exams. 

At the moment, their bail conditions have been extended and remain unchanged, in that they are not allowed to contact the complainant or witnesses and are prohibited from entering the school premises until the case is finalised, among other things. 

“They must refrain from intimidating the complainants and witnesses – directly or indirectly and must not be involved in any criminal activity,” said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila on 19 January, expanding on their bail conditions.  

They are back in court on 11 March.  

South Africa will remain eligible for duty-free access to the United States market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), following the programme’s reauthorisation until 31 December 2026.

US President Donald Trump signed legislation extending AGOA on Tuesday, 3 February, with the renewal applied retroactively from 30 September 2025, when the previous arrangement lapsed. AGOA allows qualifying sub-Saharan African countries to export more than 1 800 products to the US without paying duties.

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau confirmed South Africa’s continued inclusion while speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Afreximbank Accession signing ceremony in Johannesburg.

Tau said that although there had been calls in the US for an out-of-cycle review of South Africa’s eligibility, the government remained committed to the multilateral benefits of AGOA while also being open to bilateral trade engagement with the US.

He noted that South Africa has been one of the leading users of AGOA and plays a key role in supply and value chains that stretch across several African countries.

Agricultural body AgriSA has welcomed the extension, saying it offers short-term relief for exporters and investors but does not provide the long-term certainty businesses need. The organisation says the US remains an important destination for South African agricultural goods, particularly citrus, grapes, wine, fruit juices, nuts and ostrich products.

AgriSA CEO Johann Kotzé says that while the US accounts for only a small share of South Africa’s total agricultural exports overall, certain value chains are heavily dependent on that market. He adds that these industries support thousands of rural jobs and form part of broader regional trade networks. AgriSA has called for a longer-term renewal to strengthen investor confidence and deepen trade cooperation.

Trade union Solidarity has echoed those concerns, urging the US Congress to move quickly toward a multi-year extension. The union says the one-year renewal offers limited certainty for workers and businesses who rely on export-driven industries.

Solidarity’s head of public relations, Jaco Kleynhans, says short-term extensions make it difficult for companies to justify major investments or long-term production planning. The union has begun lobbying US lawmakers for a more durable arrangement, arguing that job security in South Africa should not be undermined by political or legislative delays abroad.

Meanwhile, the Office of the United States Trade Representative says the reauthorised AGOA programme will be reviewed and potentially modernised over the next year to align with US trade priorities.

US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer says future changes should ensure the programme delivers greater market access for American businesses while strengthening trade ties with African partners.

AGOA, first introduced in 2000, is designed to promote economic growth and development in sub-Saharan Africa. To qualify, participating countries must meet criteria related to market-based policies, the rule of law, human rights and efforts to reduce trade barriers.

Nearly two weeks after the tragic death of an 8-year-old Klapmuts boy on school premises, police are not yet in a position to provide a public update on the cause of his death.

After arriving at school on the morning of Friday, 23 January 2026, an unknown incident occurred which resulted in Matthew being rushed to the Klapmuts Clinic, where he was sadly declared deceased.

According to Matthew’s distraught mother, who spoke to News24, some parents and a few of Matthew’s friends said that he was electrocuted due to exposed wiring near an outside tap where he was drinking water.

But the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has since confirmed that, immediately after these reports emerged, an assessment team, including an electrical contractor, visited the site and found no evidence of live wires or faulty electrical connections.

Provincial health department spokesperson Shimoney Regter said a post-mortem has been conducted but did not provide any further information, referring the media to the police.

The police released a short statement saying the matter is still under investigation and there are no new developments to report at this stage.

The WCED conveyed condolences to the family, confirming that the department’s district team would assist the school community, including the deployment of social workers, psychologists and the circuit manager.

Klapmuts Primary School Principal Lee Hoffmann posted on social media the day after the tragic incident that the school community was deeply affected by Matthew’s death.

“We earnestly appeal that the family be treated with dignity, respect and compassion as they grieve the loss of their beloved child. At this stage, the exact cause of the incident cannot yet be confirmed, as extensive investigations are currently underway. It is of paramount importance that these processes are allowed to take their full course so that the facts can be thoroughly and responsibly established.”

Hoffmann appealed to parents and members of the community to refrain from sharing or spreading speculation and unverified information on social media platforms.

“Our focus should currently be on the loss of a young life and supporting each other during this time.”

A Bonteheuwel wife was allegedly murdered by her husband, says the ward councillor for the area.

Ward Councillor for Bonteheuwel, Angus McKenzie, expressed his anger over another violent murder in Cape Town, which he believed to be an incident of gender-based violence.

He says the murder occurred in Assegaai Avenue, Bonteheuwel, on Tuesday, 3 February. McKenzie says a woman, identified as Shireena Birch, was brutally stabbed to death, allegedly by her husband, who fled the scene.

The police have since confirmed that the husband has been arrested and is due to appear in court.

“I am deeply disturbed and angered by a violent murder that has taken place in Assegaai Avenue, Bonteheuwel,” said McKenzie.

McKenzie yesterday assured the community that every single law enforcement and SAPS officer in the Bonteheuwel area was actively on the lookout for him.

“There will be no hiding. He will be found, he will be arrested, and he will be charged,” he added.

On Wednesday afternoon, the husband handed himself over to the authorities.

The Ward Councillor also issued a statement, paying tribute to Birch:

This is not a name I speak lightly. I knew Shireena Birch well. She visited my office on numerous occasions.

Birch was a partner of mine in the work of making Bonteheuwel a better, safer place. She was present, committed, and deeply passionate about her community.

“And yet, despite knowing her, despite working alongside her, I did not know the extent of the abuse, the assault, the pain, and the trauma that Shireena endured daily at the hands of the man who was meant to protect her, her husband.”

I will miss the deep love she carried for her family

I will sorely miss Shireena, her laughter and her passion for her community, as well as the deep love she carried for her family.

Let me be absolutely clear, I will be at the forefront of ensuring that when the perpetrator of this horrendous crime is brought before the courts, bail is never, ever an option.

Justice must be firm, swift, and uncompromising.

Shireena’s murder must serve as a clarion call to every woman:

Your smile, your strength, your joy, and your passion should never be used to mask pain, fear, or trauma inflicted by your own partner. And your life is worth more than silence.

Today, we mourn Shireena Birch.

Tomorrow, we fight for justice in her name.