A 51-year-old businessman who was kidnapped during a house robbery in Summer Greens, Cape Town, has been rescued in Saldanha by the Western Cape anti-kidnapping task team, while nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime.

Western Cape police confirmed that the hostage was rescued during a coordinated operation conducted in Khayelitsha and Saldanha on Friday and Monday. The arrests follow the kidnapping and robbery of the businessman last Monday, 25 May 2026.

According to police, seven armed suspects allegedly stormed the victim’s home, where they robbed him and other occupants of cellphones and a substantial amount of cash before abducting the businessman.

As investigations into the kidnapping-for-ransom case continued, a multidisciplinary team carried out tracing operations at several premises in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, on Friday evening. The operation resulted in the arrest of five suspects.

Further investigations led officers to Saldanha, where an additional suspect was arrested at a residence on Basil February Street. Police later raided another property in Noordse Street, where they successfully rescued the hostage and arrested three more suspects.

The businessman was found tied up and appeared to have sustained injuries believed to be the result of torture. He was taken to a medical facility for treatment.

The nine suspects, comprising seven men and two women aged between 20 and 50, are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

They are facing charges related to possession of stolen property, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as robbery, kidnapping and extortion.

“Western Cape SAPS management has commended the anti-kidnapping task team for the meticulous investigations that led to rescue of the hostage and arrests effected.” said Brigadier Novela Potelwa

READ MORE: Two Mozambicans and South African teenager killed in Mossel Bay violence

Schools across the Eden and Central Karoo Education District will be closed on Wednesday, 3 June, and Thursday, 4 June, due to severe weather conditions expected to affect the region.

Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier announced the decision on Tuesday following consultations with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre. The closure applies to all public, ordinary and special needs schools in the district.

The move comes in response to warnings of heavy rainfall and potentially dangerous weather conditions in the area.

Maynier said learner and teacher safety remained the department’s top priority. Schools in the affected districts have been notified and instructed to inform parents of the temporary closure.

All other schools in the Western Cape will remain open unless specific approval for closure is granted on a case-by-case basis.

The Western Cape Education Department said its preference is always to keep schools open and only close them in exceptional circumstances. However, it said the severity of the weather warnings justified the precautionary measure.

Schools in the Eden and Central Karoo districts are expected to reopen on Friday, 5 June, subject to conditions remaining safe. The department said it would continue monitoring the situation and communicate directly with affected schools and parents should further closures become necessary.

The Department of Home Affairs is addressing identity numbers that were blocked before November 2022 through a nationwide verification campaign.

The department says affected individuals have until 10 July 2026 to submit representations at Home Affairs offices (excluding refugee reception centres and banks), explaining why their identity documents should be unblocked.

In a statement on Monday, the department urged affected persons to come forward before the deadline to avoid the possible cancellation of their identity numbers.

“In accordance with section 3 of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) of 2000, affected individuals are invited to submit representations explaining why their identity numbers should be unblocked. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the affected identity numbers following the completion of the administrative process,” the department said.

Officials said the process is aimed at strengthening the integrity of the National Population Register.

They added that a number of IDs were blocked under Section 19 of the Identification Act (Act No. 68 of 1997), including cases involving duplicates and instances where an individual’s status required further verification. To date, 2 202 368 identity numbers have been unblocked.

Where applicable, applicants are advised to bring supporting documentation, including but not limited to:

• Original birth certificate (including handwritten versions)
• Original clinic card or confirmation of birth
•  Copy of hospital register or other proof of birth
•  Parents’ identity documents, reference books, or death certificates
• Primary school extract and a copy of the school register
• House permit or letter from the relevant traditional authority
•  Affidavit from parents or the original informant, together with a copy of the informant’s identity document
• Any other document that may assist in confirming identity, citizenship, or legal status

The University of Cape Town has signed a long-term renewable electricity supply agreement with Discovery Green, becoming the first public university in South Africa to conclude a power purchase agreement with an energy trader.

Under the deal, Discovery Green will supply renewable energy to between 70% and 90% of UCT’s electricity needs at its main and health sciences campuses for just under a decade, starting in the third quarter of 2027.

The university expects the agreement to cut its carbon emissions by about 33,200 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually.

UCT Vice-Chancellor Mosa Moshabela said the agreement is a major step towards reducing the university’s carbon footprint while supporting research and skills development in the energy sector.

The partnership extends beyond electricity supply and includes funding for energy-related research and scholarships in engineering and actuarial science.

Both organisations say the agreement could serve as a model for other public institutions looking to participate in South Africa’s transition to renewable energy while improving energy security and sustainability.

Western Cape police have confirmed that two Mozambicans and one South African teen have been killed in violence that broke out in Mossel Bay this past weekend.

In a statement, police have given more information about the unrest that broke out on Friday, 29 May. Many reports suggest the unrest is aimed at foreign nationals.

George Public Order Police members, supported by local police, responded to sporadic scenes of violence on Friday, where about 55 shacks were set alight in the Asla Park informal settlement of KwaNonqaba.

The police, together with the fire services, managed to bring the situation under control, but it resulted in the displacement of a number of people.

Then, police say they were called out in the early hours of Saturday morning, where the body of a 27-year-old man was discovered with multiple injuries. Shortly thereafter, another man with assault injuries was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital.

It has since been determined that the two deceased men, aged 27 and 43, were of Mozambican descent.

While investigations into the murders continue, no arrests have been made yet.

In a separate incident, at approximately 03:00 on Sunday morning, KwaNonqaba police were called out to the New Rest informal settlement where the body of an 18-year-old South African man was discovered in front of a shack. The deceased person had stab wounds.

Police say investigations into this murder are progressing, with detectives searching for a known suspect. Police say this murder is unrelated to the broader unrest.

The authorities also confirmed that five suspects have been arrested since the violence broke out. Two were charged with public violence and have since appeared in court on Monday, where they were granted bail of R1 000 each.

Three suspects are scheduled to appear in court in Mossel Bay on Tuesday on charges that relate to possession of presumed stolen property.

Brigadier Novela Potelwa says while they respect the right of citizens to protest, those who embark on such action must do so within the confines of the law.

“When marchers/protesters engage in violent acts, including incitement of violence, police will not hesitate to act decisively. A further plea is made to community members and leaders to refrain from disseminating unverified information, as that causes unnecessary panic and anxiety.”

Earlier, unverified reports surfaced, apparently emanating from the Mozambican government, alleging that five of its nationals were killed in xenophobic attacks. But this has not been denied by police.

Meanwhile, consular services have been activated and are assisting affected groups. The local municipality’s chair for Community Safety, Councillor Leon van Dyk, told the media that about 400 foreign nationals living in KwaNonqaba were displaced when protestors set alight the structures on Friday.

The municipality had provided temporary housing at municipal facilities and catered to other humanitarian needs, while the relevant consulates visited the area to engage with those affected.

Police deployments remain on high alert in the area, and no further incidents have been reported in the area since Monday.