Cape Town’s dam levels have surged by almost 19 percentage points in just one week following widespread heavy rainfall across the Western Cape.

According to the City’s MMC for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, the Western Cape Water Supply System is now sitting at 67.8% capacity as of 13 May 2026 – up 18.6 percentage points from last week.

Badroodien said several catchment areas recorded exceptionally high rainfall totals between Saturday and Tuesday, with Newlands receiving 263 millimetres of rain over four days, while Wemmershoek recorded 264.5 millimetres – more than double its long-term May average.

Theewaterskloof Dam, the province’s largest dam, climbed from 48.5% to 69.2%, while Berg River Dam increased from 50.8% to 76.7%. Wemmershoek Dam rose sharply from 50.5% to 86.8%.

Badroodien described the increase as the biggest weekly rise in dam storage levels seen in recent years, adding that the City will now revise its water resource status from “Early Drought Caution”.

However, he warned that one week of rain does not eliminate long-term water security concerns.

The South African Weather Service’s latest seasonal outlook predicts below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures for the south-western Cape during the winter rainfall season from May to September.

Badroodien said climate change is making rainfall increasingly unpredictable, with hotter temperatures also increasing evaporation and water loss.

He stressed that the City’s New Water Programme remains critical despite the recent rainfall. The programme aims to deliver an additional 300 million litres of water per day through alternative sources, including desalination, groundwater abstraction and water reuse projects.

Badroodien said the storms this week are “the clearest possible argument” for why Cape Town cannot afford to slow down long-term water resilience projects.

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Seven suspects have been arrested following a brutal attack on two women in Atlantis on Sunday 10, May, which left one woman dead and another seriously injured.

More details have also emerged as the police investigation develops.

Western Cape police have confirmed that the case docket has now been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Task Team, with the seven suspects, aged between 20 and 40, facing a range of charges.

The women’s ordeal reportedly started in Eerste River, where Kleinvlei police are investigating charges of house robbery, kidnapping and extortion.

Atlantis SAPS are investigating murder and attempted murder charges. An earlier statement included a charge of carjacking, which has now been removed.

The matter was reported to police just before midnight on Sunday, after a security officer, attached to a factory in the Atlantis industrial area, found a 30-year-old woman with burn and stab wounds.

Before she was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment, she pointed out the crime scene to police members.

While at the scene, officers discovered a second woman next to a burnt-out vehicle. She was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel.

Police Captain F.C. van Wyk says reports that the second victim, who pointed out the crime scene, has passed away, are untrue.

The seven suspects were due to appear in the Bluedowns Magistrates’ Court today, Thursday, 14 May, on the mentioned charges.

*This article has been updated after new police information was received

For the first time, you can visit the Traffic Fine Roadshow on a Sunday. The City of Cape Town says the latest roadshow will be open to the general public from Saturday, 16 May until Friday, 22 May. The Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says this time, the event will also be open on a Sunday.

For the first time, you can visit the Traffic Fine Roadshow on a Sunday

MMC Smith says the roadshows make the often arduous task of fine and warrant representations across different magisterial districts far easier. It offers services at a single service point. Smith says the Roadshow brings together staff from the City’s Traffic Service, Revenue Department, Municipal Court representatives and other internal departments. He has reminded residents that they can also seek assistance about their municipal accounts.

READ MORE: A comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions document

Here is a list of things you can do at the Roadshow

Dates for the Traffic Roadshow

Brackenfell, get ready for the Traffic Roadshow

“It is quite the logistical exercise.”