Aneeqa Du Plessis, Author at Voice of the Cape

Experts Warn Missing Children Cases Go Unreported in Western Cape

By Ragheema Mclean Nearly 100 children were reported missing in the Western Cape over the past six months, raising renewed concerns about child safety across the province. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), 98 children under the age of 18 were reported missing during the period. Of those cases, 95 children were safely reunited with their families. However, SAPS has confirmed that 16 cases involving children remain classified […]

14 July 2026

Local

Parliament Calls for Probe into Controversial Bokkieweek School Sports Event

By Odwa Mkentane The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and Creative Industries, Makhi Feni, says the Department of Basic Education must urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding the controversial "Bokkieweek" sporting event held in Limpopo. The call follows allegations that only Afrikaans-medium schools participated, that the apartheid-era anthem was sung, and that teams were grouped according to South Africa's pre-1994 provincial boundaries. Feni said it was concerning that […]

14 July 2026

Local

Godongwana Warns Municipalities Against Reliance on Declining Electricity Revenue

By Ragheema Mclean Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says many municipalities can no longer rely on electricity sales as a major source of income, warning that the model is becoming unsustainable as electricity consumption declines. Godongwana was speaking following National Treasury’s decision to temporarily suspend funding to 69 municipalities due to concerns around financial mismanagement. He said municipalities need to improve revenue collection and strengthen financial management practices to ensure long-term […]

10 July 2026

Local

NCC Issues Urgent SPAR Yoghurt Recall

By Lee Yandra Paulsen The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued an urgent nationwide alert following SPAR's recall of several yoghurt products due to a production fault that could affect product quality. The recall includes SPAR Fat Free Yoghurt, Low Fat Yoghurt, Double Cream Yoghurt, Indulge Double Cream Yoghurt, and SPAR Active Drinking Yoghurt. The affected products have a sell-by date of 9 August 2026 and a use-by date of […]

10 July 2026

Local

Government, Farmers Reach Vaccine Deal

By Lee Yandra Paulsen Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp says an out-of-court settlement has brought an end to the legal dispute over the procurement and distribution of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines. Agricultural organisations Sakeliga, Saai, and Free State Agriculture argued that farmers should be allowed to procure vaccines directly instead of waiting for lengthy government processes. Aucamp said the agreement will open the market to fair competition and improve access to […]

10 July 2026

Local

The Green Connection Seeks Clarity on Oil Deal

By Lee-Yandra Paulsen Environmental justice organisation The Green Connection has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to provide clarity on reports that Israeli-owned Navitas Petroleum could become the operator of offshore oil and gas exploration Block 1 CBK in the Orange Basin off South Africa's West Coast. The organisation said the proposed transaction raises important questions about South Africa's environmental commitments, governance processes, and foreign policy, particularly as the country continues […]

9 July 2026

Local

Gun Free SA Calls for Crackdown on Illegal Firearms After Deadly Cape Town Shootings

By Ragheema Mclean Gun Free South Africa has called on the government to intensify efforts to curb the circulation of illegal firearms as the country marks Gun Destruction Day, following two deadly mass shootings in Cape Town that claimed seven lives. Western Cape police are investigating two separate shootings in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, and Philippi East on Wednesday night that left seven people dead and five others injured. Police spokesperson […]

9 July 2026

Local

Growing Demand Continues to Place Pressure on the Western Cape’s Public Healthcare System

By Ragheema Mclean Long waiting times, overcrowded emergency centres and staff shortages have left many South Africans frustrated with the state of public healthcare. However, health experts argue that while the system is under immense strain, it is inaccurate to describe it as "collapsed". In the Western Cape, where hospitals continue to face growing demand from a rapidly expanding population, health officials say the challenge lies in balancing increasing healthcare […]

9 July 2026

Local

Western Cape Police Probe Two Mass Shootings

By Odwa Mkentane Western Cape police are investigating two separate mass shooting incidents that occurred on Wednesday evening, in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, and Philippi East. The attacks claimed the lives of seven people and left five others injured. Police spokesperson Andre Traut says while the incidents occurred within minutes of each other, police have confirmed that investigations into the shootings are ongoing, and the motives remain unknown. “At approximately 20:10, […]

9 July 2026

Aneeqa Du Plessis

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