People's Post Athlone/Lansdowne E-edition 09 December 2025
Tg g g,
it’s too early to comment on any tip-
offs ” He confirmed the officers remained on duty and added the City would provide updates as soon as possible
In a separate incident on the same day two men were shot dead in an
On her visit court personnel con-
firmed additional security measures had been implemented to strengthen safety in and around the court premises
Marais met with station commander
Col Junaid Alcock and his manage-
p p g
Wednesday's shooting incident
While acknowledging the positive progress of the implemented security measures Marais emphasised that further improvements are still required to ensure full safety around the court precinct
g conduct follow-up oversight visits to assess police operations
“The current status quo of attacks occurring in and around our courts is completely unacceptable,” Marais said “It demands stronger coordination among police, the Department of
Justice and Constitutional Development, the National Prosecuting Authority and Department of Correctional Services to ensure the
Identikidzbackonbeaches
To ensure children’s safety at some of Cape Town’s busiest beaches the City’s Identikidz programme will return this holiday.
Identikidz is coordinated by the City’s Community, Arts and Culture Development (CACD) Department
Parents and caregivers are able to register children at participating beaches – they are issued with an armband that contains a unique serial number
Details of the armband are recorded along with the caregiver ’ s details, so in the event that a child is separated from their group during the course of their beach visit, they can be quickly reunited
During last year ’ s festive season, the City tagged 133 730 children over five priority weekends, with 302 children safely reunited with their loved ones
The programme will run over 15 days, from 09:00 until 18:30 on the following dates: 15, 16, 20 ,21, 25, 26, 27, and 28 December; and 1, 3, 4, 10 ,11, 17, and 18 January next year
PARTICIPATINGBEACHES:
Big Bay, Camps Bay, Fish Hoek, Gordon’s Bay, Harmony Park, Melkbosstrand, Milnerton Beach, Mnandi, Monwabisi, Muizenberg, Sea Point and surrounding area, Silwerstroom, Strand and Strand-
LAST YEAR THE CITY TAGGED 133 730 CHILDREN
fontein The service will be available at Maiden’s Cove on Friday 26 December and Thursday 1 January
.With the permission of parents or caretakers, register children and
issue them with an identification tag or wrist band; . assist with the reunification of a lost or displaced child; . work closely with the provincial Department of Social Development, the City’s enforcement agencies and the South African Police Service to ensure the safety and reunification of a lost or displaced child with their family
The CACD Department will deploy 53 officials and 159 Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) members who will work closely with other City departments, in-
cluding the Disaster Risk Management Centre Francine Higham, Mayco member for community services and health, encourages parents to make use of the programme “We all share a responsibility to create safer spaces for our children, and our beaches are no exception –especially considering how busy these spaces get over the peak festive season Identikidz adds a lot of value, but caregivers are still responsible for ensuring that their children are supervised at all times ”
MyCiTitorununinterruptedfestiveservice
The City of Cape Town says there will be no reduction in its bus services this year, and MyCiTi buses will continue to operate from morning until evening daily over the festive season
Passengers can look forward to the late-night bus services to accommodate shopping at Canal Walk and the V&A Waterfront as well as the popular service to the Silwerstroomstrand Beach and Resort until Sunday 4 January next year On the public holidays all routes and services will operate a Sunday timetable except for route T02 and 261, which will operate a Saturday timetable
Rob Quintas, Mayco member for urban mobility, says: “I am always excited about the late-night
services from Canal Walk and the V&A Waterfront
“This service has been a great relief for many residents who cannot get around to their own shopping during their work hours, especially with the later retail hours coming up ”
He adds that commuters to areas such as Atlantis, Pella and Mamre will continue to benefit until the end of January
“Our night services in the Atlantis region will operate until 31 January 2026 so residents can get around town safely during the summer evenings,” said Quintas
LATE-NIGHTSHOPPING
.Canal Walk: 5-23 December
.Route D08 – Last bus will depart Century City at 22:00
.Route T03 – Last bus will depart Century City at 22:00
.Route 241, 242 and 243 – Last bus will depart Century City at 00:45
.V&A Waterfront: 12-23 December and 26-30 December
.Route T01 – Last bus will depart Waterfront station at 22:00
.Route D01 – Last bus will depart Civic Centre station at 22:35
.Route D02 – Last bus will depart Civic Centre station at 22:35
.Route D04 – Last bus will depart Civic Centre station at 22:35
NIGHTSERVICESTOATLANTIS
.Night services will return to Atlantis serving routes 241, 242 and 243 until Saturday 31 January next year
The services started on Friday 5
December
SILWERSTROOMSTRANDHOLIDAY SERVICE
.Route 247 will operate between Atlantis, into Mamre to the Silwerstroomstrand beach and resort daily until Sunday 4 January, except on Christmas Day The service has been adjusted to directly connect with Mamre to make it more convenient for these residents Buses will depart from the Starke stop at 09:00 and 13:00 via Atlantis station and Mamre, and return from Silwerstroomstrand at 09:38, 13:38 and 18:00
. For more information and a list of all the relevant timetables visit: https://www myciti org za/en/ routes-stops/festive-season-services-2025/
Humaninteractionispreciousandimportant
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Now we ’ re at a stage where there are no excuses, no limits to how many reports we can summarise by copying and pasting a prompt
told to use your app, after you were queuing for a query you had about your finances
each other
Don’t outrun your humanity in the rush to keep pace with technology
Looking back on 2025, it feels as if we ’ ve survived a monstrous mountain climb and can finally gaze down at the deep and treacherous valleys we ’ ve journeyed through this year
As we pray the blinding glow of a new horizon that awaits us in 2026 promises good health for our loved ones or new career opportunities, one can’t help but feel bruised by the weight of change and chaos that have impacted our lives in this new modern age we ’ re navigating These days, productivity and profit have become two interchangeable words that are endlessly circling and feeding off each other through the advancements of
There’s an endless amount of apps we can use to effortlessly edit our videos or retouch a photo with professional effects
This spares hours of time compared to the days of booking appointments, paying and waiting for this service to be done by hand and yet it appears we ’ ve forgotten the beauty of patience
It’s a privilege and an art in itself to receive a hand carved wooden sculpture you bought when one thinks of the sleepless nights, the fingers that endured cuts to produce that lifelike artwork
You could sense the sweat and stress that went into these paintings, the care and delicate touch to try and capture a feeling or a moment frozen in a misty memory
Now you’ll find yourself being turned away from your bank and
The convenience and comfort our cellphones have brought us, are slowly eroding the times we spend speaking face to face when we can simply “video call”
Human interaction is precious, important and needs to be protected and nurtured
The more our eyes slide with the rhythm of our scrolls on our screens, the more they feed and become addicted to our content and algorithms
We can become attached or victims to our ego, numbing our ability to understand each other in the pursuit of curating a “perfect world” where only we reign and other thoughts or ideas are seen as threats or volatile
Whether your utopia is encapsulated with thoughts of bigotry, sexism or tolerance and liberty, we run the risk of misunderstanding or refusing to “ see ” ourselves in
As we all know the French Revolution became a bloody nightmare where potential traitors faced the guillotine This Reign of Terror involved mass executions and arrests for those opposing the new government that “fought for the people”
History tells us around 20 000 men and women were killed –either shot, stabbed or drowned, during this reign, with the vast majority of deaths being ordinary citizens not the rich and elite
When vengeance and fear rule it can blind our reflections like a mirror in a steam room, we can become barbaric and cruel, normalising violence as a “ means to an end”
As the world and society keeps trying to quicken its pace with technology’s innovation, let’s not outrun our humanity in this process to survive the stress of being “left behind” in the fourth industrial revolution
A JOURNO’S VOICE
KEANAN HARMSE
Author inspires young minds
Najwa Petersen paroledelay
NAMHLAMONAKALI
The Department of Correctional Services has confirmed that the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board had instructed that offender Najwa Petersen undergo a further profile before her parole can be reconsidered
Department spokesperson Singabakho
Nxumalo said the board assessed Petersen’s parole eligibility and identified outstanding requirements
“The Correctional Supervision and Parole Board has directed that offender Petersen be afforded a further profile, which includes specific intervention programmes that must be completed within a set time frame Her parole placement will be reconsidered only once she has successfully met all requirements ” He added that the process is guided strictly by legislation, risk assessment tools and rehabilitation progress “Parole is not automatic It is earned, and it is based on evidence of readiness to reintegrate safely into society ” Petersen was convicted in 2008 for the murder of her husband, celebrated musician Taliep Petersen, who was shot dead in their Athlone home in December 2006
The court found she had orchestrated the killing by hiring men to stage a robbery and carry the murder out She received a 28-year prison sentence, while her co-accused were handed separate sentences for their roles
Over the years her parole applications have been deferred due to incomplete rehabilitation programmes or outstanding requirements set by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board
The latest directive again places emphasis on the completion of additional intervention programmes before the board reconsiders her placement
Pakistani community donates
AVRILFILLIES
With the festive season spirit in the air, several deserving families in Athlone received clothes, shoes and other essentials from the Pakistan Association Southern Africa (PASA) and POC Global Cape Town Unit
The event, oganised in collaboration with the Athlone police, was on Thursday 27 November at the Athlone Civic Centre
Several community leaders and members of PASA, its president Sawees Khokar, and local police attended the event They were accompanied by vice chair Abdul Khan and Mirza Shahzad
Food packets were specially prepared for children and the joy on their faces were proof that every moment of serving humanity is precious
“The aim of the organisation is to provide assistance not only to the Pakistani community but also to every needy person living in South Africa Collective efforts are necessary for the betterment of society and we reiterate our commitment that such welfare programmes will be continued in the future We want to assist as many needy people as possible,” says Khokar
The event concluded in a pleasant atmosphere while the participants appreciated the efforts of the PASA team and paid tribute to their spirit
“PASA is always at the forefront of welfare services In the same spirit of community service
and the well-being of humanity, the event was organised and the families were generously helped,” says Sgt Zita Norman, spokesperson for Athlone police
FOOD PACKETS WERE PREPARED FOR CHILDREN
Policeintensifyeffortstorootoutcrime
After a successful integrated police operation to combat gang violence in the Manenberg Policing Precinct Brig Jayce Naidoo, Station Commander at Manenberg police, encourages the community to report crime and become active in crime prevention
The integrated police operation to increase visibility was deployed on Thursday 20 Novem-
successes during this operation since Saturday 1 November,” Naidoo says Anti-gang Unit (AGU) officers arrested a 27-year-old male in possession of 88 Mandrax tablets with R136 cash in Thames Avenue, Manenberg, with a total street value of R20000
A total of 20 9mm rounds were found abandoned in Vygieskraal Road and police officers
possession of a 22 pistol with four rounds of ammunition
On Friday 28 November, in the early hours of the morning, officers of the AGU arrested a 22-year-old male in Longkloof Circle for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition with 2 x 9mm magazines and 23 x 9mm rounds were recovered
Present at the donation drive of Athlone police and the Pakistan Association Southern Africa POC Global Cape Town Unit were from left: Abdul Khan, vice chair, Ashwin Robertson, Metro Police officer, Sawees Khokhar, Sgt Zita Norman, spokesperson for Athlone police, Isaiah Ngogela, Shawwaal Kariem, Metro Police officers and Mirza Shahzad, president. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Sequinned goddess and drag comedy icon Tollie Parton is to host a spectacular New Year’s Eve at The Royal Countess Zingara at Century City Patrons can expect a night of unmatched revelry beneath a velvet canopy as nostalgia, spectacle and frivolity collide in divine decadence, from the first sip to the last dance The magic happens from the moment Zingarians step onto the red carpet mid lavish welcomes of bubbly and oysters Come play, dance and revel in the most sensational New Year’s Eve party with Parton on the decks Doors open at 18:00 and guests should be seated by 19:00 for the performance that will begin at 20:00 Bookings are open through boxoffice@zingara.co.za and 0218910448. PHOTO: SUPPLIED NEWYEAR’SEVEATTHEROYALCOUNTESSZINGARA
Tc ow s t e ot e C ty
The Springboks Sevens came into the Cape Town tournament at the back of a disappointing Dubai tour and were eager to redeem themselves in front of their home supporters They made their intentions clear with a flawless group stage wins
w t gu s b a g, bac ed by t e vo ciferous Cape Town crowd They won the match by 22-17 for a final spot against Argentina
With some of their key players, including semi-final star Tristan Leyds missing for the final due to injuries, the Blitzboks made a poor start They conceded a converted try in
e a e ded 4 7 to ge t a In the first minute of the second half, Moneta crossed the whitewash for the second time, putting Argentina 19-7 up However, the Blitzboks refused to give up and continued to push hard at the start of the second half They were rewarded in the second
ga e co ve s o e su ed t e boys retained the trophy by registering a 21-19 victory
The win elevated the Springboks to the top of the HSBC log after two rounds
The Blitzboks will look to carry their winning formula to Singapore in January next year
Matteo Graziano of Argentina shows a face of determination to stop Christie Grobbelaar of the Blitzboks crossing the try line during the final of the HSBC sevens tournament at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday 7 December The Blitzboks won 21-19 to win back-to-back at tournament on home PHOTOS: SUPPL ED
MICapeTown#OneFamilyspirittrophytour
Supporters of MI Cape Town in the Southern Suburbs will have an opportunity to share Christmas cheer with the team and SA20 Trophy tour ahead of the start of the fourth edition of the competition on Friday 26 December
On Saturday 13 December, some players will visit Canal Walk and Kenilworth Centre on Monday 15 December
“We kicked off the Trophy Tour on Saturday 6 December at CapeGate in Kraaifontein, and fans attending at Canal Walk and Kenilworth Centre
will also have a chance to win prizes
“As Cape Town steps into the festive Christmas season and builds excitement for the SA20 kicking off on Friday 26 December at Newlands, MI Cape Town is taking the coveted silverware to the people,” says Pratik Gore, spokesperson for MI Cape
Town
Inspired by MI’s global #OneFamily spirit, the tour brings the championship silverware closer to the fans who fuelled the team’s remarkable 2025 title run “The Trophy Tour aims to spark excitement among the
fans ahead of the new season and strengthen the emotional bond between the team and the community
Fans can expect an immersive experience featuring a secure trophy display, a selfie zone with live photo printing, interactive trivia sessions, and high-energy engagement running crowd games, and a Cape Town-inspired play list
“Exclusive prizes like signed merchandise are up for grabs and if you know everything and anything about MI Cape Town during the fan quizzes, you will be a winner
“The tour promises to be a citywide celebration of festive spirit, passion and championship glory, adding Christmas cheer to the build-up for the new season, ” he says Currently members of the different franchises are in action for the Proteas in India and will all be donning the colours of the franchises before the start of the tournament MI Cape Town will again be led by Rashid Khan Their first fixture is against Durban Super Giants at Newlands The first double-header is on Saturday 27 December between:
Eastern
MICAPETOWNSQUAD:
.Pretoria Capitals versus Joburg Super Kings at Centurion and .Paarl Royals versus Sunrisers
Cape at Boland Park in Paarl
Trent Boult, Corbin Bosch, Rassie van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan, Dan Lategan, George Linde, Tristan Luus, Tom Moores, Nicholas Pooran, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jason Smith, Jacques Snyman, Dane Piedt, Dwaine Pretorius and Tiaan van Vuuren
