Category: Africa

The City of Cape Town has warned residents of road closures as thousands of cyclists from across South Africa and the world will descend on the Mother City for the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust. 

“The city will once again assist the Cape Town Cycle Tour Trust to ensure that participants have a smooth and safe journey around the peninsula, by deploying our Safety and Security personnel from Traffic Services, Metro Police, Law Enforcement and Disaster Risk Management along the route,” Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith said on Tuesday.

Residents and motorists are advised that minor road closures will be in effect in some areas from Friday, with hard closures in place on Saturday, 7 March, and Sunday, 8 March 2026, particularly in the CBD, Green Point, Sea Point, Southern Suburbs and the Deep South. 

Key closures include: 

• Sections of Helen Suzman Boulevard. 
• Chapman’s Peak Drive.
• M3 Highway (outbound). 
• Nelson Mandela Boulevard (N2 outbound).
• Hospital Bend Interchange. 
• Victoria Road, Camps Bay. 
• Main Road (M4) through the Deep South. 

Castle Street between Darling and Stand streets will be closed from 19:00 on Friday until 06:00 on Saturday to allow for the construction of the start gantry. 

The situation intensifies on Saturday, 7 March, as multiple streets, including sections of Castle Street, Darling Street, and Strand Street will be closed in the CBD from 14:00 until late on Sunday afternoon. 

The race will also have an impact on several MyCiTi routes in the CBD and on the service to Hout Bay/Hangberg.   

A comprehensive list of all road closures is available here: https://www.capetowncycletour.com/system/refinery/resources/W1siZiIsIjIwMjYvMDIvMjgvMTcvMjgvNTcvMTA1ZmExMWQtZTIxOC00NDUwLWIyODItYWU3YmQ4NTBmYzcxL0NUQ1QgMjAyNiBSb2FkIENsb3N1cmVzIDEgTWFyLnBkZiJdXQ/CTCT%202026%20Road%20Closures%201%20Mar.pdf

Cycle Tour Expo 

The Cape Town Cycle Tour week kicks off on Thursday, 5 March, with the three-day rider registration and the Lifecycle Expo at the DHL Stadium. 

Approximately 35 000 people will visit over the three days at the expo, which is a celebration of cycling, health and fitness under one roof.

The Expo will feature more than 80 exhibitors showcasing the latest in cycling gear, nutrition, technology and apparel. 

Entry into the Expo is free for participating cyclists and children under 12. The cost is R50 for non-participants.

It will operate during the following hours: Thursday, 5 March: 09:30 – 19:00; Friday, 6 March: 09:00 – 19:00, and Saturday, 7 March: 09:00 – 16:00.

Public parking will be available at the Cape Town International Convention Centre P1 (paid), P9, P11, P12 and P13, with a dedicated bike park and disabled parking in P5 and P13. 

Race day logistics   

This year, the cyclists will take the 109km and the 42km from the city centre, and the 78km invitational Women’s Race and U17 Boys Race from Fish Hoek. 

The traditional 109km route starts at the Grand Parade at 06:16 and circles the Cape Peninsula before finishing on Helen Suzman Boulevard in Green Point. 

The 78km Invitational Women’s Race (06:20) and the U17 Boys Race (06:15) will once again start in Fish Hoek and finish in Green Point. 

The increasingly popular 42km route provides a shorter, but no less memorable experience, drawing riders through the southern suburbs via the M3 before finishing in the city. The ride will set off at 10:00. –SAnews.gov.za

Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, has announced the complete placement of the remaining Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners, whose parents and guardians applied online through the 2026 Online Admissions system.
 
In a statement on Wednesday, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said that approximately 484 Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners remained unplaced in Ekurhuleni, specifically in Tembisa and Kempton Park. 

“By Tuesday evening on 3 March, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) had successfully placed all remaining learners in alternative schools in the respective areas,” the department said. 
 
The total figure of Grade 1 and Grade 8 learners that were placed for the 2026 academic year through Gauteng’s Online Admissions system is 392 224. The main application period, which ran from 24 July to 5 August 2025, accounts for a majority of these applications.
 
Meanwhile, 8.5% (33 650) of these applications were made during the late application period from 17 December 2025 to 30 January 2026. 
 
The department expressed its sincere appreciation for the patience and resilience shown by parents and guardians, particularly while efforts were underway to secure placements for all remaining learners. The department said schools will initiate the appropriate catch-up plans to assist learners recover any curriculum time lost.   
 
Chiloane emphasised that the Online Admissions system remains an important transformation tool to ensure that all schools in the province are accessible to all children. 

“We are pleased to have demonstrated this through the placement of all applicants who applied online. However, we are determined to improve the system to ease some of the frustrations that are encountered during this process. 

“In addition to system improvements, the Gauteng government will be constructing 18 additional new schools to increase capacity in the high-pressure areas that we have identified,” Chiloane said. – SAnews.gov.za

Transnet has suspended nine employees implicated in alleged collusion with suppliers as part of ongoing efforts to eliminate corruption and misconduct within the organisation. 

Disciplinary proceedings against three of the suspended employees have commenced, with charges against other implicated officials imminent. 

Transnet uncovered irregularities through an internal investigation in which 34 audits were undertaken across two Transnet operating divisions for transactions concluded in the 2024/25 financial year.

The audit found that suppliers were overcharging Transnet by anything between 50% and 1000% across several items.  

The process to blacklist suppliers involved has also commenced.

“Transnet maintains a zero-tolerance stance on any form of impropriety. This extends beyond instances of overcharging, as such conduct directly undermines our operational efficiency and financial performance,” Transnet Group Chief Executive Michelle Phillips said on Wednesday in a statement.

This development marks a critical step in strengthening governance, reinforcing accountability, and safeguarding Transnet’s operational and financial integrity.

“We remain resolute in our commitment to eradicating corruption across the organisation and will not allow the conduct of a few individuals to derail the pursuit of our strategic objectives,” Phillips said.

Transnet has already approached law enforcement agencies for assistance. 

While the consequence management processes are proceeding, Transnet is also finalising targeted actions and implementing systemic improvements to detect and prevent the recurrence of such practices.

Further investigations are ongoing. –SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended heartfelt condolences, following the passing of veteran politician and struggle stalwart, Mosiuoa Lekota, describing him as a patriot whose life was deeply intertwined with South Africa’s liberation and democratic journey.

Lekota passed away at the age of 77 earlier today. 

In a statement, the President said his thoughts and prayers were with Lekota’s family, the Congress of the People and political associates across the spectrum. 

Born on 13 August 1948 in Kroonstad in the Free State, Lekota – affectionately known as “Terror” for his prowess on the soccer field – dedicated his youth and adult life to the struggle against apartheid. He was a member and organiser of the South African Students’ Organisation and was prosecuted by the apartheid regime, leading to his imprisonment on Robben Island in 1974.

He spent eight years behind bars alongside struggle icons, including Nelson Mandela, before his release in 1982. Upon regaining his freedom, Lekota resumed activism and became a leading figure in the United Democratic Front (UDF), a broad non-racial coalition of more than 400 grassroots organisations formed in 1983 to oppose the apartheid government’s Tricameral Parliament.

His involvement in the UDF led to his conviction in 1988 during the four-year Delmas Treason Trial, where the State attempted to link non-violent resistance to unrest in the Vaal. Although he was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, his conviction and those of his co-accused were overturned in 1989.

In the democratic era, Lekota served as the first Premier of the Free State from 1994 to 1996 and went on to become the inaugural Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces from 1997 to 1999. He was appointed Minister of Defence in 1999, a portfolio he held until 2008.

He also served as National Chairperson of the African National Congress before co-founding the Congress of the People in 2008, adding to the diversity of South Africa’s democratic landscape.

Paying tribute, President Ramaphosa said South Africa has lost a patriot, a freedom fighter, and a servant of the people, whose life story is closely intertwined with the country’s journey of struggle and the realisation of democracy. 

“His life was one of resilience, courage, and steadfast belief in justice. We honour him especially for his principled dedication to non-racialism during our struggle and in a liberated South Africa,” he said. 

The President further lauded Lekota’s contribution to strengthening democratic institutions, particularly his role in the establishment of the National Council of Provinces, which enhanced representation of communities in the national legislature.

“We will remember Mosiuoa for his patriotism, his intellect and his personable nature, and we will continue to work for the inclusive, non-racial South Africa for which he sacrificed so much and worked so passionately,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za 

Acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, has welcomed the arrest of a police constable for murder and housebreaking.

Constable Kutlwano Joy Tshepe (29) was apprehended on Thursday evening in Phokeng. 

This followed allegations that he broke into his ex-girlfriend’s house in Roma Section during the early hours of Thursday and stole cash while she was hiding inside the residence. She reportedly escaped through an open window to a nearby family member’s house.

“It is further alleged that the constable then proceeded to the residence of his ex-girlfriend’s 33-year-old boyfriend, where he assaulted him. The victim was declared dead on the scene by Emergency Medical and Rescue Services after sustaining multiple injuries, including a severe head injury,” the police said in a statement.

The accused made his first appearance at the Tlhabane Magistrate Court on Monday. He was remanded in custody until his second court appearance before the same court on Monday, 9 March 2026, for a formal bail application. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is continuing with the investigation.

Naidoo lauded Phokeng detectives for their vigilance, which led to the arrest. 

He said the case should serve as a warning to all SAPS employees involved in criminal activities that, if caught, they will face the full might of the law, including internal disciplinary processes. – SAnews.gov.za