| City urges motorists to put vehicle safety first | City urges motorists to put vehicle safety first | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | Cape Town experiences a surge in traffic volumes over the festive season | <p>Cape Town experiences a surge in traffic volumes over the festive season – and long distance travel is a key feature as people move around the country to visit their loved ones.<br> <br>Historically, the City has invited public transport operators to submit their vehicles for voluntary checks in the days leading up to departure, so that any potential defects could be identified and fixed.<br> <br>This festive season, voluntary checks for ALL vehicles (private and public) will be available at the following two Vehicle Testing Stations (subject to operational requirements) :<br> <br>Bellville Vehicle Testing Station 11,12, 15, 17, 18 and 19 December from 08:00 until 15:00.<br> <br>Joe Gqabi Vehicle Testing Station 11, 12, 15, 17, 18 and 19 December from 08:00 until 13:00.<br> <br>‘We thank those operators who have, for years, made use of the service available under the auspices of Operation Exodus, but these are a fraction of the vehicles leaving our city, and so this year, we are changing tack to widen the net in our bid to keep travellers safe,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.<br> <br>The City’s enforcement agencies will ramp up roving vehicle checkpoints instead, and check basic vehicle safety roadside, including tyre tread, whether brakes and lights are in working order, and if the vehicle licence is up to date.<br> <br>Drivers too will have to ensure that they have a licence as well as a valid professional driving permit (PrDP). <br> <br>Where an officer suspects a vehicle requires further investigation, it will be sent to a City vehicle testing facility. If the vehicle is deemed unroadworthy, the disc will be removed, in accordance with legislation, until the owner can submit proof of roadworthiness.<br> <br>‘Making sure your vehicle is roadworthy to ensure the safety of yourself, your passengers and others is the responsibility of every motorist. Unfortunately the festive season is notorious for a higher death toll and we should all do what we can to make our roads safer. Along with higher traffic volumes, there is also an unfortunate increase in reckless and negligent driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol. So consider the impact that your actions could have, not just on those who are passengers in your vehicle, but also on other road users,’ added Alderman Smith.<br> <br>TIPS FOR LONG DISTANCE DRIVING/TRAVELLING<br> </p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and that you have a spare wheel and tools in the vehicle in case of an emergency/breakdown</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Do not drink and drive and do not drive without a valid licence or transport paying passengers without a valid public driving permit (PrDP)</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Have enough rest before your trip and use a backup driver so you can take breaks</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Stop every two hours to stop and stretch your legs, or stop as soon as you’re feeling tired</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Should you need to pull over – do so only in areas that are safe and away from passing traffic</div></li></ul><p> <br><strong> End</strong></p><p><br> </p> | 2025-12-05T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Your City in 60 seconds | Your City in 60 seconds | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Site%20Images/Media%20Centre%20Header%20Image.jpeg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | Catch up on the latest important City news updates with your City in 60 seconds. |
<p>Each week, we share a new video giving you a snapshot of what we are up to in your community.</p><div class="responsive-media">
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<img class="responsive" alt="More than 100 000 Capetonians unite to celebrate Festive Lights Switch-On" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/festiveLights-25-380.jpg" />
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<strong>More than 100 000 Capetonians unite to celebrate Festive Lights Switch-On</strong></a>
<br>Capetonians came together in festive spirit as crowds filled the Grand Parade and city streets.
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<img class="responsive" alt="MyCiTi expansion creates R38 million in temporary jobs for local residents" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/myciti-construction-380.jpg" />
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<strong>MyCiTi expansion creates R38 million in temporary jobs for local residents</strong>
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<br>MyCiTi projects created nearly 600 temporary jobs.
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<strong>Traffic fine roadshow at the Civic Centre.</strong>
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<br>Motorists have a week to get fines and warrants reduced at the popular ‘one-stop shop’.
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<img class="responsive" alt="World AIDS Day: City clinics ramp up treatment and prevention measures" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/clinic-2-380.jpg" />
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<strong>World AIDS Day: City clinics ramp up treatment and prevention measures</strong></a>
<br>HIV testing, PrEP, ART and counselling are free at your nearest City clinic.
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<br><br><br><br> | 2025-12-04T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Council gives in principle approval for Public Private Partnership to secure Cape Town’s new water projects | Council gives in principle approval for Public Private Partnership to secure Cape Town’s new water projects | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | Over 100 comments were received for each project during the public participation sessions held in 2025 for both Faure NWS and Desalination. | <span>
<p>This approval is another important step to building Cape Town’s water secure future, through implementing the City’s New Water Programme (NWP). It aims to diversify water sources, including water re-use, desalination, clearing invasive species and groundwater extraction, to add 300 million litres of water per day to Cape Town’s supply soon after 2030.</p>
<p>Based on the separate feasibility studies, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model was supported as the most suitable model to use for these two complex projects.
<br><br>Over 100 comments were received for each project during the public participation sessions held in 2025 for both Faure NWS and Desalination. These were incorporated in the feasibility reports that were recommended to Council for their decision.<br>A Public-Private Partnership (PPP)<br></p>
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<p>A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a formal, regulated arrangement where the private sector helps deliver a function that the City would normally perform, such as designing, building and operating a water treatment plant.</p>
<ul><li>The City sets the output specification on what must be delivered, at what quality and at what volume.</li><li>The private partner designs, builds, finances and operates the project for a defined period.</li><li>The City only pays if the private partner meets the required performance standards.</li><li>The infrastructure remains City-owned throughout.</li><li>The responsibility to provide clean water to end users remains with the city throughout.</li><li>PPPs transfer significant project and operational risk to the private sector and must meet strict tests for affordability, value for money, and risk transfer.</li></ul>
<p>The private sector brings capital, skills and long-term operational capacity while the City retains ownership and regulatory control.</p>
<p>A PPP is not privatisation. It is a tightly regulated partnership, not a sale of public water services.</p>
<ul><li>It does not involve selling City water assets.</li><li>It does not hand over ownership or long-term control of public water services to private companies.</li><li>It does not allow private operators to set water tariffs or run water services independently.</li></ul>
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<p>‘I am pleased that this crucial step has now been concluded. In 2026, we will commence the procurement phase of the Faure New Water Scheme and Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant. By undertaking these projects through a PPP, the City will remain the infrastructure owner and responsible for providing safe, high-quality drinking water. This implementation model will also create economic and employment opportunities through construction, operations and supply of equipment and chemicals.</p><p>‘While the City is investing in the NWP, residents are reminded to be water-wise at all times, regardless of the season or the status of our dams,’ said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.</p><p>
<strong>Way Forward</strong></p><p>The Faure New Water Scheme will aim to add between 70 and 100 million litres of purified, recycled wastewater per day to our water supply with first water expected in the financial year 2030/31. The procurement process for the PPP will follow a two-stage competitive bidding process:</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Request for Qualification (RFQ): This stage will invite interested parties to demonstrate their technical capability to deliver the project. This is scheduled to be advertised in the second half of 2026. </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Request for Proposal (RFP): Shortlisted bidders from the RFQ stage will be invited to submit detailed proposals. This is expected in the second half of 2027.</div></li></ul><p>This approach ensures transparency, competitiveness, and alignment with the City’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) policy and requirements. For more information see:</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Project Details: City's Water Reuse Project</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Procurement Requirements: Refer to the City’s SCM Policy and Guidelines. Potential bidders are encouraged to register as a Supplier with the City. All information is available here. </div></li></ul><p>The Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant involves removing salt from seawater to yield between 50 and 70 million litres per day with first water forecasted for the financial year 2030/31.
<br><br>‘These projects represent more than infrastructure investments—they are a testament to Cape Town's resilience and our unwavering commitment to water security. Through the PPP model, we harness private sector expertise and innovation while maintaining firm public ownership. Every litre of water, every pipe, and every pump remains the property of our city. This is progress built on trust, delivering jobs, economic opportunity, and the certainty our residents and businesses deserve,’ said Councillor Badroodien.<br><br>Caption 1: Artistic impression of the planned Faure New Water Scheme (FNWS).</p><p>Caption 2: Preliminary artistic impression of the planned Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant.</p><p>Caption 3: (Dropbox link) The proposed site location for the Paarden Eiland Desalination Plant.</p><p>
<br> </p> | 2025-12-04T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Cape Town welcomes final court order on Nersa decision timetable | Cape Town welcomes final court order on Nersa decision timetable | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/%28Treasury%29%20Policies%20and%20publications%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | The court accepted the City’s argument that Nersa’s timelines come too late for municipal budgeting processes | <p>In terms of section 172 (1)(a) of the Constitution, the court declared invalid Nersa’s public participation process for 2025/26 municipal tariff applications, ordering that Nersa must:</p>
<ul><li>By 31 January each year, inform municipalities of increases granted to Eskom and other generators</li><li>Consider and publish every municipality’s cost-of-supply study and tariff application for public participation</li><li>Finalise decisions on all municipal tariff applications by 5 May, and simultaneously publish the reasons for each decision</li></ul><p>The court accepted the City’s argument that Nersa’s timelines come too late for municipal budgeting processes, and so the proposed timeline is now an order of the court in line with City proposals during the course of this application brought by Afriforum.</p><p>‘This final order makes it clear that Nersa cannot deviate from this court-ordered time table without approaching the courts for permission. </p><p>‘This is most welcome as it brings to an end Nersa’s delinquent handling of municipal tariff applications and the common practice of late decisions, without reasons, after the municipal financial year has already begun. This has made a mockery of complex budget calculations and public participation, which are all complete by the time Nersa decisions have arrived in the past. </p><p>‘Now Nersa will have to inform municipalities of decisions timeously, and publish the reasons immediately. This is a positive step for residents in all municipalities across South Africa, who will benefit from more transparency in electricity tariff-setting decisions,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.<br> <br> </p><p>
<strong>End</strong></p> | 2025-12-04T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
