Western Cape High Court Archives

Green Connection welcomes ruling on TotalEnergies drilling project

By Rachel Mohamed Green Connection has welcomed the Western Cape High Court’s decision to overturn the government’s approval of TotalEnergies’ Block offshore drilling plans. This follows the 2023 exploration permission granted in Block 5/6/7, located between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas. The court ruled that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) was fundamentally flawed, failing to address critical risks. Speaking to VOC News, Shahil Singh, Legal Advisor at Green Connection, expressed satisfaction […]

14 August 2025

Local

City heads to the courts seeking to evict residents of Hope Street Park

By Rachel Mohamed The City of Cape Town is seeking an eviction order from the Western Cape High Court to remove homeless residents from Hope Street Park in Gardens. However, housing rights organisation Ndifuna Ukwazi (NU) is opposing the application, arguing that the City must provide proper alternative accommodation that ensures the safety and dignity of those affected. Inga Dyantyi, an attorney with Ndifuna Ukwazi who represents some of the […]

25 June 2025

Local

Fast Guns gang members are sentenced to life for killing a Cape Town toddler

The community of Lavender Hill has welcomed the Western Cape High Court’s sentencing of Fast Guns gang members Carlo Hofmeester and Chadwin Isaacs, who received life imprisonment for the 2019 murder of five-year-old Valentino Grootetjie. Police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana said the incident occurred while Valentino was playing in his backyard. “Initial reports revealed that on December 21, 2019, two unknown suspects boldly entered a premises in Drury Court, Lavender Hill, […]

18 June 2025

Local

Western Cape High Court rules against Dr John Hlophe’s appointment

By Rachel Mohamed The Western Cape High Court has overturned the National Assembly’s decision to endorse former Judge President John Hlophe—now Deputy President of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party—for a position on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). The court ruled that Hlophe is unsuitable for the role due to his previous impeachment by the commission. Speaking on VOC’s News Beat, Mbekezeli Benjamin, a researcher at Judges Matter, noted that the […]

3 June 2025

Local

Economists Raise Concerns Over VAT Hike Amid Court Challenge

Economists have raised concerns about the sustainability of the 0.5% VAT increase set to take effect at the beginning of May. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the hike as part of the revised fiscal framework, but the move has triggered significant political and public backlash. This week, the DA and the EFF appeared in the Western Cape High Court to challenge the decision. The court has since reserved judgment. Judge […]

23 April 2025

Local

Joshlin Smith’s kidnapping trial continues in the Western Cape High Court

By Rachel Mohamed The trial of Joslin Smith, the young girl who was purported to be kidnapped and trafficked, is currently underway at the Western Cape High Court in Saldanha Bay on the Cape West Coast. Shocking revelations have emerged, including that she was allegedly sold to a sangoma for R20,000. However, many questions about her current whereabouts remain unanswered. Speaking on VOC’s Breakfast Show on Friday, crime expert […]

4 April 2025

Local

High Court blocks Dr. John Hlophe from serving on JSC

By Lee-Yandra Paulsen The Western Cape High Court has temporarily blocked Dr John Hlophe, parliamentary leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, from serving on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). The court granted an urgent interdict following a challenge from the Democratic Alliance (DA), which argued that Hlophe's appointment was irrational, particularly in light of his impeachment for gross misconduct. The DA raised concerns about Hlophe's suitability to serve on the […]

1 October 2024

Local

27-year-old sentenced to 20 years for murder of elderly woman

By Lee-Yandra Paulsen A 27-year-old suspect has been sentenced to 20 years behind bars for the murder of an elderly female. Judge Michelle Adams sentenced the accused, Keagan Samuels in the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday. According to the South African Police Services (SAPS) spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi, Samuels visited his family home in Dammert Street, Bellville South, on 01 August 2021, where he encountered his ten-year-old brother and his step-great-grandmother […]

25 April 2024

Local

Court rules that the late Imam Abdullah Haron’s death was not accidental but a murder by Apartheid regime

By Kouthar Sambo "Takbeer, Allahu Akbar! Takbeer, Allahu Akbar (magnification of God)!" These were the glorious echoes of supporters at the reopened inquest of the late cleric and Apartheid activist Imam Abdullah Haron, which reverberated throughout the corridors of the Western Cape High Court today. This comes after Judge Daniel Thulare delivered the final verdict of the late Imam's death. Judgement "The cause of death of Imam Abdullah Haron is […]

9 October 2023

Western Cape High Court

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