| City replaces 590 SmartCape computers at 50 public libraries | City replaces 590 SmartCape computers at 50 public libraries | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | SmartCape provides free access to computers and the internet, while City libraries also offer digital literacy training | <p>SmartCape provides free access to computers and the internet, while City libraries also offer digital literacy training.</p><p>‘The SmartCape service was introduced in our libraries in July 2002 when we placed five computers at libraries. Since then and over the past 24 years, this programme has made a massive contribution to improving residents’ access to opportunities. We now have 560 350 registered users who use our computers to send emails, compile CVs, apply for jobs, do research for school assignments, and so forth. Registered users get 45 minutes free internet every day, and if you access the service with WiFi you get 500MB free data every month. We are extremely proud of how this programme has evolved over two decades and the exceptional uptake from our local communities,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys.</p><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/DSC_0125.jpg" alt="" style="width:959px;" /></figure></span><p>‘For many residents, our public libraries are the gateway to opportunities. They are where learners complete schoolwork, jobseekers apply for work, entrepreneurs build businesses and residents can access important services. By upgrading 590 SmartCape computers at 50 libraries, we are making that access faster and more reliable to meet the growing demand for digital services. This investment improves overall performance, reliability, security and enables patrons to access digital services more efficiently so our library users can access the tools they need to learn, work and connect,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.</p><p>SmartCape usage has surged across libraries since the hardware roll-out started, and libraries recording more than 1 000 monthly sessions include Kuyasa, Scottsdene and Nazeema Isaacs. Many libraries host more than 600 sessions for children under 12 on a monthly basis.</p><p>Earlier this week, Delft Library was broken into and computers from both the SmartCape area and the circulation desk were stolen. These computers were relied upon by learners, jobseekers and residents accessing essential online services.</p><span></span><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Ocean%20View%20library%202.jpg" alt="" style="width:1004px;" /></figure></span><p>‘When a library is targeted, it is not the City that suffers most – it is the community. Every stolen computer is one less opportunity for a learner to complete homework, a jobseeker to submit an application or a resident to access essential online services. We appeal to anyone with information to come forward so that these important community resources can be recovered,’ added Councillor Higham.</p><p>The City remains committed to investing in modern, accessible library services that help bridge the digital divide and create opportunities for residents across Cape Town.</p><p>Anyone with information about the Delft Library burglary must please report it to SAPS or call the City's tip-off line: 0800 110077.</p><p>Caption 1: Councillor Francine Higham and Alderman Theresa Uys at the Durbanville Public Library recently.</p><p>Caption 2: Smartcape computers at Ocean View Library</p><p> </p><p><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2026-08-06T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Minister Cachalia opens door to investigative powers for Metro Police | Minister Cachalia opens door to investigative powers for Metro Police | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Law-Enforcement-Security-Header.png" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | We must make full use of all policing resources in Cape Town as SAPS are under severe pressure | <p>‘Minister Cachalia continues to state he has an open mind to investigative powers for Metro Police, and we now await dates from his office to commence mandatory mediation under the formal intergovernmental dispute I declared this week.</p><p>‘The Minister states that it is necessary to “build a cross party consensus” on the matter. It is not clear what he means. He is the Minister. All that is needed is for him to show leadership and amend the SAPS Act Amendment Bill he has tabled in parliament. It is unclear what further consensus building is needed, and this sounds like an effort to delay doing the right thing. </p><p>‘The upcoming dispute mediation is an opportunity to put the residents of Cape Town first and find a good faith solution that avoids the courts.</p><p>‘We must make full use of all policing resources in Cape Town as SAPS are under severe pressure and really do need our Metro Police’s help to gain more convictions for gang, gun and drug crime.</p><p>‘We refuse to accept that communities must live in daily fear of violent crime. The time has come to “catch and convict”, which our Metro Police stand ready to do in support of SAPS and the NPA,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.</p><p>In response to the Acting Minister’s remark that he received legal advice that certain proposals made by the City may conflict with section 205 of the Constitution, Mayor Hill-Lewis said that SAPS’s interpretation of section 205 has never been communicated to the City across numerous engagements and correspondence. The Mayor said the only legal advice referred to by the Minister previously is that the SAPS Act requires amendment before regulations can be issued to expand Metro Police investigative powers.</p><p>‘To ensure our upcoming mediation is meaningful, we would welcome the Acting Minister sharing the legal advice he has on the extent to which the SAPS Act currently complies with the municipal policing powers anticipated in the Constitution.</p><p>‘Section 205 of the Constitution says that the SAPS Act must establish a framework for policing powers and functions to be discharged by a police service in the local government sphere “where this is appropriate”.</p><p>‘We have demonstrated, over and over, that it is indeed appropriate here in Cape Town – that our Metro Police are prepared, resourced and ready to take on investigations for specific crimes,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.</p><p><strong>City officers ready to help SAPS</strong></p><p>Alderman JP Smith said expanding policing powers to non-SAPS agencies has been done before and is not a new request.</p><p>‘Previously, Municipal Peace officers were granted additional crime prevention powers in 2018 that led to the establishment of LEAP, which has without a doubt proved that local government can make a significant impact when given the opportunity.</p><p>‘Recently LEAP made a significant arrest while confiscating four semi-automatic rifles in Nyanga, again reminding all of the crucial role they play within our most vulnerable communities. The City is in a position to help SAPS, in fact we are already doing so through our SSIU investigations unit and SSIMS information management department.</p><p>‘Our communities are bleeding and if we can stop the flow of illegal firearms, we can significantly decrease violent crime - the ‘catch and release’ status quo must end,’ said Alderman Smith.</p><p> </p><p><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2026-08-06T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Give a ‘dam’, save water- current levels 78,1% | Give a ‘dam’, save water- current levels 78,1% | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Cape%20Town%27s%20dams%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | The City’s Water teams are continuing to closely monitor dam levels and water use | <p>The City’s Water teams are continuing to closely monitor dam levels and water use as Cape Town is in a water scarce region and rainfall patterns are unpredictable due to climate change.</p><p>Typically, dam levels need to be 80% or more by the time the next Annual Operating Analysis (AOA) is done by the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in November to avoid them from implementing water restrictions to a municipality.</p><p><strong>Dam levels and water usage</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;"><strong>Current dam levels </strong>are 78,1% as of Monday, 3 August 2026.<br>This is 6,7% less compared to the same time last year, which was 84,8%.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;"><strong>Water usage</strong> is 846 million litres of water a day (MLD) on Monday, 3 August 2026. This is 14 MLD less than the winter usage target of 860 MLD.<br></div></li></ul><p><strong>Saving water at your fingertips</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Some 70% of water used in high volumes is at home, according to consumption statistics.</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Read our top water saving tips: <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/savewater" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za/savewater</a></div></li></ul><p>‘Water is a precious resource so all of us need to care about it and do what we can, where we are, to protect it and use what we need. Saving water is in our hands literally and figuratively. Rainfall is unpredictable so there are no guarantees of when it will come and if it comes, how much will come and where it will land.</p><p>‘As a City, we continue to repair reported leaks and burst water pipes, and proactively replace water pipes even before they burst through our annual maintenance programme.</p><p>‘As part of building Cape Town’s long-term water secure future, the City cannot depend on rainfall so we are actively funding and investing R570 million in our New Water Programme this financial year. This is the action plan to help build Cape Town’s resilient water supply through projects such as desalination, groundwater, reuse and clearing of water-thirsty alien invasive plants.</p><p>‘No matter how much water is in the dams, or what the weather is, let’s keep using water wisely, starting today,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, the Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.</p><p>Remember to report burst municipal pipes immediately to the City’s formal channels:</p><p>Call 086 010 3089 (select option 2)<br>SMS 31373<br>WhatsApp 060 018 1505<br>Email <a href="mailto:water@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">water@capetown.gov.za</a><br>Please provide an exact location or address and always insist on a reference number.</p><p><br> </p><p><strong>End</strong></p> | 2026-08-06T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| City highlights investment in women leaders to strengthen public service | City highlights investment in women leaders to strengthen public service | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Jobs%20and%20skills%20development%20Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | Alderman Uys highlighted the City’s continued commitment to advancing opportunities for women across its workforce | <p>‘Modernisation is about people. It is about creating better opportunities, improving service delivery and building organisations that are more responsive, inclusive and capable of meeting the needs of a changing world,’ said Alderman Theresa Uys.</p><p>The 2nd Annual Women in Government Conference provided a platform for women leaders to share experiences, address workplace challenges and discuss practical approaches to strengthening leadership in the public sector.</p><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Speakers%20group%20picture%20-%20Women%20in%20government.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /></figure>Alderman Uys highlighted the City’s continued commitment to advancing opportunities for women across its workforce of more than 34 000 employees through career development initiatives, graduate internships, bursaries and digital skills programmes.</span><p>Delegates also heard about the impact of innovation in government, including the City’s Corporate Application Refresh (CAR) Programme, an AI-powered HR chatbot called PEXA, expanded digital access through SmartCape in public libraries and ongoing digital skills training for residents.</p><p>The conference also explored how women are redefining the future of public service, positioning budgets as powerful tools to transform women’s experiences of government, while addressing gender discrimination and examining how women can navigate power, influence, and partnerships within government structures.</p><span></span><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/panel%20discussion%20-%20Women%20in%20government.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1898px;" /></figure></span><p>‘Leadership is not built on success alone. It is shaped by the challenges we overcome, the failures we learn from and the resilience we develop along the way. Failures are stepping stones that enable us to grow, adapt and continue moving forward. The discussions also highlighted that effective leadership requires us to remain human; to lead with empathy, authenticity and an understanding of the people we serve and work alongside,’ said Chuma Fani, the Public Governance Consultant who facilitated an interactive leadership session titled: The Leadership Blueprint - Failures, Pivots, and Triumphs.<br></p><span></span><span><figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Alderman%20Uys%20speaking%20to%20attendees%20-%20Women%20in%20government.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /></figure></span><p>As the country commemorates Women’s Month this August, the discussions at the conference served as a reminder that empowering women extends beyond representation. It is about creating opportunities, strengthening institutions and building workplaces where talent, innovation and leadership can thrive.</p><p>‘For the City of Cape Town, investing in the growth and advancement of women is an investment in stronger governance, improved service delivery and a more inclusive future for all residents,’ concluded Alderman Uys.</p><p> </p><p><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2026-08-06T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
