The Western Cape Department of Mobility has expressed concern after 30 people died on the province’s roads in the week leading up to Christmas, between 15 and 21 December.

During this period, which is the peak travel period for the festive season, 28 crashes were recorded. Among the victims are 11 pedestrians.

The week before, between 8 and 14 December, 50 people died on the roads.

The Department says provincial Traffic Law Enforcement made 98 arrests, of which 56 accounted for driving under the influence of alcohol and 12 for possession of fraudulent documentation.

A further 154 speeding offences were recorded, with the highest speed clocked at 161km/h in a 120km/h zone, placing all road users at risk.

Nearly 200 roadblocks were implemented over this period, and over 30,000 vehicles were stopped. Just over 10,000 fines were issued for a range of offences, including driver and vehicle fitness violations.

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said the figures are a sobering reminder of the responsibility every road user carries.

“While we are encouraged by the strong enforcement footprint and the dedication shown by our traffic officers, the loss of life on our roads is deeply concerning. Driving under the influence, excessive speeding and unsafe pedestrian behaviour are preventable causes of tragedy. We appeal to every motorist and pedestrian to make responsible choices so that families are not robbed of loved ones during this festive season.”

Chief Director: Traffic Management Maxine Bezuidenhout says traffic teams remain committed to helping people get to and from their destinations safely.

“Our provincial traffic officers, together with local traffic and emergency partners, remain deployed across the Western Cape, day and night. Enforcement is firm, but our ultimate goal is not fines or arrests; it is saving lives. We urge motorists to slow down, remain sober behind the wheel, and be mindful of pedestrians, especially in busy urban and rural areas.”

The Department has called on residents and visitors to plan, allow extra travel time, obey traffic laws and look out for fellow travellers.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed the nominations to the Steering Committee of the National Dialogue, marking a significant milestone in the establishment of a citizen-led and inclusive process aimed at shaping South Africa’s long-term social and economic future.

The nominations were confirmed on 18 December, with President Ramaphosa acting in his role as convenor of the National Dialogue. The initiative is being undertaken in line with his constitutional responsibility under Section 83 to promote national unity.

The Steering Committee will play a central role in the National Dialogue process, setting strategic priorities and coordinating implementation across the country.

Its confirmation gives effect to a resolution taken at the First National Convention held on 15 and 16 August 2025, which agreed that all identified social sectors should nominate representatives to serve on the committee.

The Presidency said the decision was taken to ensure that the National Dialogue remains inclusive, representative and firmly citizen-led.

Over recent months, organisations across 33 identified sectors and six sub-sectors convened meetings to nominate representatives. According to the Presidency, every effort was made to ensure that no sector of society was excluded from the process.

In addition to sectoral nominees, provision was made for the President to nominate two representatives, while the former Preparatory Task Team and Convention Organising Committee also nominated members.

The Steering Committee will further be able to co-opt up to five additional people with relevant expertise and experience to strengthen inclusivity.

The National Dialogue has been convened as a society-wide process to reflect on the country’s challenges, develop a shared vision for the coming decades and agree on priority actions across sectors. Through this process, South Africa aims to forge a new social compact to guide socioeconomic development and transformation in the years ahead.

An Eminent Persons Group, appointed as guarantors of the integrity and inclusivity of the process, compiled the nominations from the various sectors and submitted them to the President for confirmation.

The Steering Committee is expected to hold its inaugural meeting and induction early in January 2026. Once constituted, it will also assist sectors that have not yet completed their nomination processes.

President Ramaphosa thanked all those who have made themselves available to serve.

“I wish all Steering Committee members well in undertaking this important task to advance the building of a free, equal, united and prosperous nation,” he said.

The confirmed members of the Steering Committee include representatives from a wide range of sectors, including labour, business, faith-based organisations, youth, women, traditional leaders, civil society, academia, health, education, media, and vulnerable groups.

The members of the Steering Committee are:

Sectoral Nominees:

1. Valentia Andrews – National NGOs / NPO Networks
2. Michelle Arendse – Khoisan Leaders
3. Ashley Benjamin – Labour and Unions
4. Dumisile Cele – Children
5. Cynthia Chishimba – National NGOs / NPO Networks
6. Rebecca Como – Khoisan Leaders
7. Duduzile Dlamini – Sex Work
8. Scelo Duma – Government Departments
9. Khanyisa Dunjwa – Health / HIV
10. Luyolo Dwesi – Youth
11. Keagen Je-ron Gertse – Represented Political Parties
12. Jimmy Ntobeko Gotyana – National NGOs / NPO Networks
13. Annette Theresa Griessel – Foundations
14. Crispin Hemson – Restorative Justice, Peace & Safety
15. Cheryl Hendricks – Women
16. Josephilda Hlope – Government Departments
17. Lance Joel – Government Departments
18. Howard Johnson – Small Businesses, Stokvels & Informal Economy
19. Moipone Jwayi – Rural & Agricultural / Land Rights
20. Marble Bore Kalembo – LGBTQIA+
21. Luzuko Khohli – Arts, Culture and Creative Industries
22. Steven Thapelo Khunou – Faith Based Organisations
23. Bosa Ledwaba – Women
24. Tebogo Legodi – LGBTQIA+
25. Lawrence Elijah Lekgowane – Transport
26. Gomolemo Lesejane – Faith Based Organisations
27. Siyabulela Lucas – Persons with Disabilities
28. Innocent Madlala – Small Businesses, Stokvels & Informal Economy
29. Mahlatse Martinah Kgaladi Magoro – Persons with Disabilities
30. Bridgemohan Maharaj – Faith Based Organisations
31. Mxolisi President Siphamandla Mahlangu – Persons with Disabilities
32. Realeboga Makgeledise – Youth
33. Thulasizwe Makhanya – Foundations
34. Octavia Thenjiwe Makhubu – Education
35. Malemolla David Makhura – Represented Political Parties
36. Thabo Makwela – Small Businesses, Stokvels & Informal Economy
37. Steve Mashiya – Foundations
38. Loungo Masire – Arts, Culture and Creative Industries
39. Kganki Matabane – Formal Business
40. Khulekani Mathe – Formal Business
41. Looks Matoto – Persons with Disabilities
42. Busisiwe Mavuso – Formal Business
43. Nokuthula Caritus Mazibuko – Academia, Think Tanks & Research
44. Odwa Mbane – Formerly Incarcerated
45. Hussein Mubaarak Mbonambi – Faith Based Organisations
46. Palesa Rosemary Mboweni – Women
47. Buhle Mchunu – Academia, Think Tanks & Research
48. Charles Mcunu – Transport
49. Promise Memela – Health / HIV
50. Mabalane Mfundisi – Health / HIV
51. Donald Mkhwanazi – Students
52. Shannon Nontobeko Mokoena – Rural & Agricultural / Land Rights
53. Busang Obakeng Molekane – Sports
54. Mzwandile Molo – Faith Based Organisations
55. David Morema – Government Departments
56. Boitumelo Mosenogi – Small Businesses, Stokvels & Informal Economy
57. Keitumetse Fatimata Moutloatse – GBVF
58. Kunene Mpho – Media, Linguistic & Communication
59. Tshilidzi Mulaudzi – Academia, Think Tanks & Research
60. Muriel Mamotala Mumba – Civic Movements & Local Organisations
61. Treasure Ndesi – Men’s Sector
62. Marshall Nelson – Education
63. Nondumiso Ngonyama – Traditional Leaders
64. Beau Nkaelang – Men’s Sector
65. Mbali Nkosi – Youth
66. Matthew Parks – Labour and Unions
67. Letsiri Phaahla – Traditional Leaders
68. Tshegofatso Tebogo Phakisa – Media, Linguistic & Communication
69. Zandile Phiri – Represented Political Parties
70. Romeo Qetsimani – Arts, Culture and Creative Industries
71. Nkanyiso Radebe – Restorative Justice, Peace & Safety
72. Lebogang Ramafoko – Media, Linguistic & Communication
73. Hayley Reichert – Immigration
74. Vanessa Samuel-Chetty – GBVF
75. Edward Saunderson – Sports
76. Fatima Shabodien – Restorative Justice, Peace & Safety
77. Ngaletjang Emily Shilakoe – Media, Linguistic & Communication
78. Shakespeare Mandla Sibanyoni – Rural & Agricultural / Land Rights
79. Thandeka Patience Sibiya – Immigration
80. Tolika Sibiya – Youth
81. Lisa Silwana – Youth
82. Tumi Sole – Civic Movements & Local Organisations
83. Patric Solomons – Children
84. Sandile Soxokashe – Youth
85. Sinesipho Soxujwa – Civic Movements & Local Organisations
86. Qhamisa Tengile – Small Businesses, Stokvels & Informal Economy
87. Mammatli Thakhuli-Nzuza – Arts, Culture and Creative Industries
88. Ntandane Thembelihle – GBVF
89. Gerald Twala – Labour and Unions
90. Riaan Van der Bergh – Education
91. Tanya van Meelis – Labour and Unions
92. Lee-Anne Walker – LGBTQIA+
93. Monica Woodhouse – Children
94. Xolani Benson Xala – Immigration
95. Zwakele Zondo – Rural & Agricultural / Land Rights

Nominees of the Convention Organising Committee:

96. Boichoko Ditlhake
97. Tessa Dooms

Nominees of the President:

98. Mduduzi Mbada
99. Zwoitwaho Nevhutalu

Residents and holidaymakers planning to visit the Strand beachfront over the festive season have been urged to take note of ongoing construction work and associated closures along Beach Road.

Earlier this month, the City of Cape Town confirmed that the section of Strand beach known as Mosterd’s Bay (between the Strand swimming pool and Norman Road) will be closed from 15 December 2025 to 15 January 2026.

The closure has been implemented as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety while construction continues on the Strand seawall project.

The City said the current traffic management arrangements along Beach Road will remain in place throughout the builders’ break.

Construction of the second phase of the Strand seawall is progressing well, with contractors scheduled to resume work on 12 January 2026.

City Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, thanked residents and visitors for their patience during the construction period.

“We once again want to thank residents and visitors for their ongoing support and patience with the temporary inconveniences caused by the construction of the seawall, promenade and related infrastructure,” Andrews said.

“Early in the new year, the works will be expanding further east and the traffic management will be expanded to accommodate the works. We will provide further updates closer to the time.”

He urged the public to adhere to all traffic management measures, site closures and no-go area signage, and to stay clear of the construction site for their own safety.

“Please enjoy this magnificent beach and be safe,” Andrews added.

The City outlined the following traffic and access arrangements for the festive season:

• Visitors travelling southbound along Beach Road towards Gordon’s Bay will be diverted off Beach Road at Van Ryneveld Street and redirected back onto Beach Road at Norman Road.
• All northbound traffic along Beach Road will continue on a one-way route.
• Due to the temporary closure of the Mosterd’s Bay section between the Strand swimming pool and Norman Road, the nearest swimming beach is near the Strand Surf Lifesaving Club, between the red and yellow flags when lifeguards are on duty.
• The remainder of Mosterd’s Bay beach east of Norman Road remains open to the public.

The Strand seawall project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, provided work continues according to plan.

The Western Cape Government has welcomed the deployment of more than 400 newly trained South African Police Service (SAPS) officers to bolster festive season operations across the province.

In a statement issued on 21 December 2026, Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, said the additional officers will significantly strengthen visible policing and crime-fighting capacity during one of the busiest periods of the year.

Marais described the deployment as a positive response to the provincial government’s long-standing calls for increased policing resources, noting that the Western Cape continues to carry a disproportionate burden of serious and violent crime.

“This increased deployment is an important step in strengthening our collective ability to protect communities during the festive season, when crime patterns often intensify and public spaces become busier.”

Premier Alan Winde also welcomed the additional officers but stressed that more resources are still needed.

“I welcome the announcement of 400 new SAPS officers who will join the festive season operations. This is a good start, but we need to see a lot more boots on the ground,” Winde said.

“We hope this marks the beginning of a new wave of SAPS recruitment that will dramatically increase deployments across the province.”

The MEC further praised the level of inter-agency cooperation displayed at a parade held at 35 Squadron in Belhar.

The event brought together the newly trained SAPS members alongside the City of Cape Town’s Metro Police, the City’s Specialised Services and Investigations Unit (SSIU), Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers, and Immigration Officers from the Department of Home Affairs.

Marais said such collaboration is critical in confronting the persistent surge in violent crime.

“No single agency can tackle violent crime alone. It is only through coordinated operations, shared intelligence and visible joint deployments that we can disrupt criminal networks and restore safety to our neighbourhoods.”

She also called on residents to play their part by supporting law enforcement and reporting criminal activity.

“Safety is a shared responsibility,” Marais said. “We need communities to stand with our law enforcement agencies as we confront the ruthless criminals who are holding our communities hostage.”

The Western Cape Government said it will continue to lobby for additional policing resources while strengthening partnerships and oversight to ensure officers are effectively deployed to protect lives and uphold the rule of law during the festive season and beyond.