Multiple fires have kept SANParks very busy over recent weeks. The Spokesperson for South African National Parks, JP Louw, says the fires have been brought under control. He says their officers have worked closely with municipal authorities and fire management partners to respond to multiple fire outbreaks in the Cape Region. The blazes that were of most concern were in areas covering Agulhas and Table Mountain National Parks.

Multiple fires have kept SANParks very busy

He says the flames in Agulhas National Park were successfully contained through their efforts, along with other agencies. SANParks had, at that time, deployed a helicopter with their ground firefighting teams to assist the Overstrand Municipality in quelling the blaze. There was no damage to houses or stores. Louw says the municipality has confirmed that the fire at Pearly Beach has been contained, but the blaze in Stanford is still keeping firefighters busy.

Table Mountain National Park

Louw explains that a fire was ignited on Signal Hill on Thursday, 8 January 2026, in Table Mountain National Park. It then progressed towards Lion’s Head. He says that the blaze was extinguished through a coordinated response involving ground firefighting crews and aerial support. Park officials then, as a precautionary measure, decided to close the Lion’s Head and Signal Hill trails temporarily. Louw says an assessment by fire management teams followed, which led to the trails having since been reopened to the public.

Many blazes in the Cape region

The organisation has meanwhile commended the ongoing cooperation between municipal fire services, aerial firefighting units, disaster management teams, as well as ground crews. They worked tirelessly under extremely challenging conditions to fight the fires. Louw has, on behalf of SANParks, extended their heartfelt appreciation to all firefighters and support personnel. They’ve been praised for their courage, commitment, and “unwavering dedication.” He also extended their gratitude to several businesses in Bredasdorp. People from the town provided food and supplies to the firefighters, who were out there fighting the flames.

Louw concluded, “We urge the public to support our first responders by behaving responsibly when using fire and reporting any wildland fires immediately.”

The Nyanga Community Policing Forum (CPF) is appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of those involved in the murder of an adult man.

CPF secretary Dumisani Qwebe says community members took the law into their own hands after the deceased was allegedly caught in the act of committing a house robbery.

“We condemn such acts in the strongest form and appeal to communities not to take the law into your own hands. Anyone with information is encouraged to come forward. We want to be more vigilant this year and work with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure justice prevails.”

Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed that the Nyanga police have registered a murder case for investigation.

“The body of a 25-year-old male was found on Monday morning, in Sakhwatsha Street, Brown’s Farm. Police members attended to the crime scene where they found the victim who was burnt and had multiple injuries. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation and arrests are yet to be made.”

Anyone with any information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.

As the holiday travel has winded down, and road user behaviour has changed, the Western Cape Mobility Department has noted a marked decrease in the number of road-related fatalities in the province. 

Between 5 and 11 January 2026, the department recorded a total of 11 fatal crashes resulting in 12 fatalities on Western Cape roads.  

“8 were pedestrians, 2 motorcyclists and 2 drivers, highlighting the continued vulnerability of those who are most exposed on our road network,” read the department’s statement.  

This is down from the 25 fatalities on provincial roads a week prior, between 29 December 2025 and 4 January 2026. 

Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku, believes the latest figures point to a promising downward trend as a result of heightened law enforcement into the new year. The department links the decrease in fatalities to sustained enforcement, increased visibility of traffic officers and easing holiday traffic volumes. 

But Sileku noted that the loss of life on the province’s roads remains unacceptably high, despite the improvement. 

“The loss of 12 lives remains deeply tragic and unacceptable. Every fatality represents a family and a community left grieving, and this must continue to drive our collective commitment to road safety,” said Sileku.  

While Sileku welcomed the decrease, he urges road users and traffic officers not to become complacent. 

Road safety operations

Provincial Traffic Services carried out 240 integrated roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed control operations between 5 and 11 January.  

The department noted that more than 51,000 vehicles were stopped and checked across the province, leading to over 15,000 fines being issued for offences linked to driver behaviour and vehicle fitness. 

“Alarmingly, 79 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, highlighting the ongoing risks posed by reckless and irresponsible driving,” the department’s statement read. 

The focus now shifts to scholar transport safety, and Chief Director of Traffic Management Maxine Bezuidenhout said law enforcement would remain a priority as schools reopen.  

“Our officers will maintain a strong presence on key routes. We urge motorists to obey the rules of the road, remain patient, and be especially mindful of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, who account for a significant portion of fatalities,” she said.