Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-19 i Daily Voice

THE South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has hit back at viral social media claims accusing it of preventing motorists from carrying more than one passenger, dismissing the allegations as false and misleading. Several posts circulating online suggested that motorists would face violent repercussions if they ignored this supposed rule. They claimed: “Taxi drivers are blocking roads saying South Africans can’t have more than one passenger in their cars, regardless of whether they’re kids, family, friends, or colleagues. If caught, your car might be damaged or destroyed. “Use taxis for school and personal trips instead of your own car.” One viral video showed taxi drivers stopping a private car, demanding a permit to transport passengers, and attempting to assault the driver, until police intervened to prevent the situation from escalating.…

THE family of slain traffic officer Walton van Rooyen has started a petition to appeal to the Cape Town Magistrates Court to deny bail to his alleged killer. The accused, taxi driver Craig “Krake” de Lilly, 41, is in the dock for the murder of Van Rooyen in March 2020, and also faces charges of illegal possession of a 9mm pistol and 14 cartridges. De Lilly, his gaatjie and two other men were vasgevat shortly after the shooting in Acre Road, Kensington, but the case was provisionally withdrawn just a month later. He was re-arrested in March 2025 after new evidence emerged. Concern The family of the deceased believes that the murder has sparked widespread concern among law enforcement and the public. They said: “These facts raise serious legal issues…

Rape The man, who may not be identified, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of his step-daughter whom he sexually assaulted since the age of seven, later leading to rape. He was slapped with an additional 40 years for charges relating to the sexual assaults and molestation, which is to run concurrently with the life imprisonment. The State led evidence that the victim’s mother got married to the accused when she was three years old and that she called him “Daddy” and that when she was seven years old he began sexually violating her. This continued for nearly two decades. During trial proceedings he claimed he had an affair with the complainant from the age of 19 years old, taking part in consensual sexual relations with the victim…

Winners The 2025 Western Cape Provincial Teaching Award winners are: Charles Mokoena (Dirk Boshoff Primary School), Ammarah Ford-Pieters (Cedar Primary School), Domé Swart (Kasselsvlei Primary School), Roché Witbooi (Concordia Primary School), Fiona Blanchard (Crystal Secondary School), Hendrik Smith (Hoërskool Langenhoven), Chantelle Carstens (Paarl School), Alsje Schoeman (Oudtshoorn School of Skills), Mariska Niemand (Altena Primary School), Charissa Shay-Sithole (Apex High School). The list also included: Demi Michelle Potts (Kretzenshoop Primary), Lana Schreuder (Rhenish Girls’ High School), Kirsten Tomé (Fraaisig Primary School), Wedaad Esau (Bridgeville Primary School), and Lorinda Rinkwest (Kasselsvlei Primary School). Maynier said the teachers were a true example of inspiration for children: “What could be greater than inspiring our children, who are the future of our country? “We must develop our teachers, because when we develop our teachers, we…

THE chairperson of the Strand Community Police Forum (CPF) and a former police officer was released on bail following his arrest on multiple sexual assault-related charges involving a 15-year-old girl. Niklaas Thysen, 56, appeared in the Strand Magistrates Court on Friday morning, facing charges including sexual assault, two counts of compelled self-sexual assault, two counts of crimen injuria, and exposing genital organs to a minor. The alleged incidents were first reported after the girl confided in her mother about two encounters with Thysen. The initial incident reportedly occurred at Thysen’s work on 3 July 2025, during which the victim alleged inappropriate touching. Suicide Following this incident, the girl attempted suicide the next day. The mother explained: “He came to fetch her on 3 July, and when she came home, she…

MUIZENBERG crime fighters have called for backup in the Overcome Heights area, after a string of murders over the last week. According to Ward Councillor Mandy Marr, the violence escalated because of infighting in the Junky Funky Kids (JFK) gang. The community held a vigil on Sunday afternoon to honour those who were gunned down last week, with eight men murdered and another two injured in the area. They were joined by Ward Councillor Mandy Marr. When the Daily Voice asked her what the reason is for the recent flare-up in the shootings, Marr said: “It is infighting within the JFK gang. “I want to be clear that my office is fully engaged with the situation. We are in constant communication with SAPS Muizenberg, who are investigating all these incidents…