Parkwood is a residential suburb located on the Cape Flats, near areas such as Ottery, Lotus River and Grassy Park in the southern part of Cape Town. The suburb developed largely during the apartheid era as part of the forced removals and spatial planning that relocated many “Coloured” communities to the Cape Flats. Today it is a densely populated working-class community with strong family networks and vibrant local culture. According to census data, the suburb has a population of around 11,800 residents.

The suburb hosts several Islamic institutions and mosques, including:

• Masjidus Sabr

• Masjiedun Nur

These mosques serve as centres for daily prayers, Qur’ān classes, madrassah education, and community welfare programmes, bringing together residents for religious learning and social support.

The Muslim community is also active in broader social initiatives. For example, events held at Masjidus Sabr have included large charitable drives during Islamic months such as Muharram, where volunteers distributed food and gifts to thousands of children in the neighbourhood regardless of faith.

Radio 786 partners with the South African National Zakaah Fund (SANZAF) to bring food and drink to those partaking in the Ramadaan fast.

During Ramadan, Parkwood is known for community iftars (boeka gatherings), including large street iftars that can attract thousands of participants from across the area, reflecting the strong communal spirit that characterises Islam in the suburb.

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) gave the assurance of no shortage, noting that it’s closely monitoring the situation at locally based oil companies and the developments in West Asia. It further notes that while several refineries have closed in recent years, South Africa has two operational crude oil refineries, namely NATREF and Astron Energy. There is also the Sasol Secunda coal-to-liquids plant, which the department says plays a critical role in domestic fuel production.

The department says these facilities rely on crude oil imports sourced primarily from West Africa and increasingly from other African countries.

The Astron refinery is undergoing a planned maintenance shutdown. But the department says the company has secured sufficient fuel imports to cover supply requirements during the maintenance period.

Oil companies that import refined petroleum products from the affected Gulf states are also said to be looking at alternative supply sources to ensure the domestic market is uninterrupted.

A 15-year-old girl was also shot and wounded in the attack at a residence in Viscount Street on Tuesday afternoon.

According to police spokesperson, Colonel Andrè Traut, preliminary reports indicate that a grey vehicle stopped in front of the house and three balaclava-clad males allegedly entered the residence and opened fire on the occupants before fleeing the scene.

It’s believed the attack, which left a 39-year-old woman and two men dead, is gang-related. Several spent cartridges and other exhibits were recovered from the crime scene. These will form part of the police investigation.

According to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), parts of the Western Cape and Northern Cape are facing very hot to extremely hot temperatures, with Cape Town expected to reach around 40°C.

The heatwave began earlier in the week and is expected to last until around Friday 13 March, with daytime temperatures across parts of the province climbing into the high 30s and low 40s.

Meteorologists say the unusual heat is being driven by a slow-moving high-pressure system, which is trapping warm air over the region and pushing temperatures far above the seasonal average.

Authorities have warned that prolonged exposure to such extreme heat can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, outdoor workers and people with existing medical conditions.

Increased Risks During Extreme Heat

The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre has urged residents to take the weather advisory seriously. Officials warn that extended periods of extreme heat can strain the body’s ability to regulate temperature, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.

The hot and dry conditions also raise the risk of veld fires, prompting authorities to caution residents about open flames and fire hazards.

Tips to Survive the Cape Town Heatwave

Here are some practical ways residents can stay safe and comfortable during the current heatwave.

1. Stay Hydrated – for those not fasting

Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Dehydration can happen quickly in high temperatures. Avoid excessive caffeine, sugary drinks or alcohol, which can worsen dehydration.

2. Avoid the Midday Sun

The sun is strongest between 10am and 4pm. If possible, limit outdoor activity during these hours and plan errands or exercise for early morning or evening.

3. Wear Light Clothing

Choose loose, breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen. Light colours help reflect heat rather than absorb it. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses can provide additional protection.

4. Seek Cool Spaces

Spend time in shaded areas or air-conditioned spaces such as shopping centres, libraries or community facilities if your home becomes too hot.

5. Protect Your Skin

Use sunscreen regularly and reapply throughout the day to avoid sunburn, which can make it harder for your body to regulate temperature.

7. Check on Vulnerable People

Elderly neighbours, young children and people with health conditions are especially vulnerable to extreme heat. Authorities encourage residents to check on friends and family during heatwaves.

8. Know the Warning Signs

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea and heavy sweating. If someone shows these signs, move them to a cool area, offer water and seek medical help if symptoms worsen.

When Will the Heat Break?

Forecasters expect temperatures to remain extremely hot through the middle of the week, with some relief anticipated towards the weekend as conditions cool to more typical late-summer levels.

Until then, residents are urged to remain cautious and take the necessary steps to protect themselves from the extreme heat.

The Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) says the shutdown was made following a series of shootings and violent incidents. CATA stressed that the aim of the shutdown is to protect both drivers and passengers.

Tensions linked to the CATA come after several taxi’s in Nyanga were set alight in what authorities believe was an arson attack. The incident is believed to be linked to ongoing disputes within the taxi industry over control of lucrative commuter routes in the Cape Flats. Taxi violence in the area has periodically involved clashes between rival associations such as CATA and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA), with shootings, killings and the torching of vehicles reported over the years.

Nyanga remains one of the key transport hubs serving thousands of commuters travelling between townships and Cape Town’s city centre, making it a frequent flashpoint when tensions in the taxi industry escalate.

Taxi operators plan on marching to the Nyanga Police Station to demand progress in unresolved cases, improved security at the taxi rank, and the installation of surveillance cameras. The shutdown also comes despite a court-backed agreement that was reached after the 2023 taxi strike involving the taxi association SANTACO, requiring advance notice for protest action.

The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre says preliminary reports indicate that about 100 structures were damaged in Imizamo Yethu.

The figures for Masiphumelele are still being assessed. Early Sunday morning, firefighters managed to extinguish both fires after being called out to Imizamo Yethu the previous day.

The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson, Sonica Lategan says the city’s informal settlements management, solid waste and electricity services are on site. The municipality’s water and sanitation department have also been activated to address damage to five toilets, standpipes and a burst water pipe.

The accused made a brief court appearance in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court this morning.

In December, Price died while in police custody. It’s alleged that he was suffocated during interrogation about a fatal shooting outside the Athlone Court a week before his death. SAPS alleges that Price complained about ear ache and collapsed.

However, an Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) probe later revealed that Price died of unnatural causes. The 11 officers are charged with murder, kidnapping, assault, torture and defeating the ends of justice.

The case has been postponed to the 12th June 2026 for further investigation.