RC 261022Cape TalkClarence Ford
Thursday, 22 October 2026
Saskia Falkin's Thursday show on Cape Talk was dominated by extortion pressure on Cape Town projects, National Treasury's municipal finance reforms, and temporary fuel levy relief.
- 09:03
Cape Town says about 56 of its projects have faced extortion-related pressure since the start of the year, from criminal shootings to fronts posing as community groups. MMC JP Smith calls it a national crisis.
- 09:31
National Treasury is proposing major municipal finance reforms, including Treasury taking over appointments of chief financial officers to ensure the right people are appointed.
- 09:02
Government's temporary fuel levy relief runs from 4 November to 1 December, with a smaller cut from 2 December until 5 January. Finance Minister Godongwana announced the two-phase reduction in the budget.
- 10:43
Over 5,000 people sought help from the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation, and 83% of them have unmanageable debt. More than 1,300 were flagged at high suicide ideation risk in 2025-2026.
- 09:24
The Browns Farm library, damaged during a 2023 taxi protest, remains shut while matric exams are under way. The city says phase one, the roof, is done, with phase two expected by around May next year.