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Cape Times - February 26, 2026

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In this issue

February 26, 2026

Net closes on more than 4 000 'ghost workers' getting salaries in public sector

A GOVERNMENT-LED audit aimed at identifying and eliminating nonexistent or ineligible individuals from the public-sector payroll has confirmed the existence of more than 4,000 “ghost workers” across national and provincial departments.

2 mins

TAX INCREASES OFF THE TABLE FOR NOW

Government cancels R2obn in proposed tax hikes as 2026 Budget prioritises social support, infrastructure, and reforms

3 mins

NPA accused of 'tick box' exercise Nokuthula Simelane case

FORMER apartheid-era crime investigator Andrew Leask has detailed the circumstances leading to anti-apartheid activist Nokuthule Simelane's disappearance and the alleged cover-ups that have plagued the investigation for decades.

2 mins

Billions allocated towards HIV/ AIDS, research amid US cuts

THE country’s HIV/AIDS programme received a major boost with the announcement that not only will R26 billion be allocated to provinces, but R410 million will be reprioritised from the Department of Health over the medium term to offset research grant funding that was withdrawn by the United States.

1 mins

Dr Survé presents World's Children's Prize honouring Archbishop Desmond Tutu

IN HONOUR of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's lifelong fight for justice and children's rights, the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation was formally handed the prestigious World's Children's Prize, often referred to as the \"Children's Nobel Prize\" yesterday.

2 mins

Lawyer in R60bn lawsuit against banks barred from proceedings

THE lawyer representing hundreds of homeowners in a R60 billion class action against the banks has blamed “work pressure” and being “overwhelmed” for failing to renew his Fidelity Fund Certificate.

2 mins

Worcester teacher acquitted of rape after proving traffic fine payment

A TRAFFIC fine payment has secured the acquittal of a man sentenced to life for rape.

2 mins

Life in jail for Eastern Cape man for beating his drunk girlfriend to death

THE Eastern Cape High Court has sentenced Siyabulela Tshemese, 45, to life imprisonment for the murder of his 34-year-old girlfriend, Amanda Kweyama, whom he beat to death after she became heavily intoxicated.

1 mins

TVET College found liable for student's tragic death during practical training

THE Motheo TVET

3 mins

Winde outlines plans to tackle crime, land reform in SOPA

DELIVERING his 2026 State of the Province Address (SOPA2026) in George yesterday, Premier Alan Winde placed land reform, violent crime, water security, municipal collapse, and job creation at the centre of the Western Cape’s agenda.

2 mins

Real art returns to the Investec Cape Town Art Fair. Finally!

“IDON’T give a f*** if it’s sold!

6 mins

COLOMBIA PROBES APPARENT BULLET HOLE IN PLANE

COLOMBIAN authorities are investigating after an apparent bullet hole was found in the wing of an American Airlines flight that landed in Medellin from Miami, US media reported this week.

1 mins

INDIA and Canada: Trade and diplomacy

CANADIAN Prime Minister Mark Carney is due in India this week, seeking to boost trade and mend fractured ties on the first stop of his Asia-Pacific tour.

2 mins

Australian police arrest two for murder

AUSTRALIAN detectives arrested two men yesterday over the alleged kidnapping and murder of an elderly grandfather in a suspected case of mistaken identity.

1 mins

Trump tries to reset presidency in State of the Union speech

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump boasted this week of a “turnaround for the ages” in his State of the Union speech, seeking to reverse dismal polls and see off mounting challenges at home and abroad ahead of crucial midterm elections.

2 mins

GOVERNANCE STYLE OF DA EXPOSED BY FMD

THE DA has correctly demanded that the current leadership of the Knysna and Joburg municipalities be held responsible for the water crisis, which in some cases resulted in residents being without this valuable resource for weeks, if not months.

1 mins

Water crisis erodes agricultural export success

WHILE the Western Cape celebrates export milestones, itself alongside the Eastern and Northern Cape have been declared a national disaster area due to drought.

2 mins

How responsiveness could help rebuild broken trust in state

Responsiveness signals that the state is present, listening, and accountable

4 mins

How AA NCAP chooses entry-level cars for crash tests

THE Automobile Association of South Africa says its involvement in NCAP crash testing is guided by a single principle, which is making safety information accessible to the most vulnerable buyers.

3 mins

FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

DOORBELL PLAY

1 mins

R1 trillion infrastructure spending: A roadmap for South Africa's recovery

THE government intends spending R1 trillion on infrastructure over the medium term to address backlogs in social delivery and other major capital projects that have arisen from weak economic growth, inefficient public investment management and limited state capacity, policy uncertainty, supply-side constraints and waning investor confidence.

3 mins

Godongwana defends R1.5bn-a-day borrowing amid rising debt projections in 2026

South Africa’s debt is projected to rise in nominal terms from R6.12 trillion in 2025/26 to R6.94trln in 2028/29

3 mins

Budget 2026: SA economy seen expanding to 2% by 2028 as reforms gain traction

THE National Treasury has struck an optimistic tone on South Africa's economic prospects, projecting that growth will gradually accelerate by 0.2 percentage points each year over the medium term, reaching 2% by 2028.

2 mins

South Africa's National Budget: No personal tax increases and inflation relief

No personal tax

3 mins

National Treasury moves to direct intervention as 63% of municipalities face financial distress

FINANCE Minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday announced a decisive shift in the government's approach to struggling municipalities, signalling a move from oversight to active structural intervention to address deepening governance, financial and service delivery failures at the local level.

3 mins

Mixed reactions from farmers on Godongwana's 2026 Budget

AGRICULTURAL associations have given mixed reactions following the Finance Minister Enoch Gondongwana’s tabling of the National Budget on Wednesday.

2 mins

National Treasury targets Wage Bill with early retirement drive and ghost worker audit

THE National Treasury has reiterated that it is taking a multi-pronged approach to manage the growth in the government's wage bill, including a staggered early-retirement programme, auditing the number of employees on government's payroll, and professionalising the public service.

2 mins

Corporate profits and rising precious metals prices boost South Africa's revenue projections

RISING corporate profits, particularly from the precious metals miners, higher revenue from the fuel levy and from VAT receipts have allowed the government to revise its revenue outlook upward by R21.3 billion from its previous estimates last year, despite low economic growth.

2 mins

Combating the illicit economy is a work in progress - Treasury

ILLICIT ECONOMY

2 mins

Eskom's financial turnaround: The role of 71 municipalities in the debt relief package

ALTHOUGH Eskom reported an annual profit in 2024/25, for the first time in a decade, the improved financial performance remains at risk, partly due to escalating municipal debt arrears.

2 mins

Property groups welcome tax relief measures in South Africa's 2026 Budget

PROPERTY groups have responded positively to the adjustment of personal income tax brackets announced in the National Budget Speech by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday.

2 mins

Speed, spirit, and sacrifice: How Mpeku became Lions’ new hero

LIONS wing Kelly Mpeku is fast becoming a fan favourite at Ellis Park in the United Rugby Championship after a few stellar performances this season, which have not only showcased his blinding speed but also his commitment to fight for lost causes.

2 mins

Chiefs face mental and tactical test

WHILE Kaizer Chiefs players are expected to be self-motivated heading into the Soweto derby on Saturday (3.30pm), their medical and technical teams still have plenty of work to do in fine-tuning their readiness for the clash.

2 mins

Associate nations prove their mettle

IT'S become almost customary to switch on the television and tune into 120 cricket being played somewhere in the world.

2 mins

Bodo/Glimt makes Champions League history as Newcastle, Atletico reach last 16

NORWAY’S Bodo/Glimt pulled off one of the most remarkable results in modern Champions League history on Tuesday, beating last season's runners-up Inter Milan 2-1 at San Siro to reach the last 16 with a 5-2 aggregate triumph, while Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen also went through.

2 mins

Naidoo to lead star-studded field at 115th SA Open

SOME of the world’s best golfers are set to tee it up in front ofa sold-out crowd at the South African Open at Stellenbosch Golf Club from Thursday morning, all chasing more than just a trophy.

2 mins

Ungerer ready to step up as Stormers chase crucial derby win at altitude

THE Stormers’ Stefan Ungerer will have some big boots to fill this Saturday at Ellis Park (2.30pm kickoff) against the Lions should he take up the vacant No 9 jersey in their second-last United Rugby Championship (URC) local derby.

2 mins

Hunt praises 'magnificent' Stellenbosch response after stunner against Kaizer Chiefs

STELLENBOSCH FC continued their steady climb up the Betway Premiership standings with a hardearned victory over Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday night.

2 mins

Proteas braced for a high-stakes clash with familiar foes West Indies

SOUTH African cricket has long been entranced with players from the Caribbean islands.

3 mins

Read all Stories from Cape Times

Cape Times Description:

Publisher: Independent-Media-Newspapers

Category: Newspaper

Language: English

Frequency: Daily

Cape Times, Cape Town’s main English language morning newspaper, offering breaking city and national news, and in-depth coverage of politics, business and sport. Cape Times, An award-winning, trusted Western Cape newspaper publication.