South Africa is moving closer to extending the validity of ordinary driving licence cards from five years to 10 years, which would be the biggest change to the system since the current plastic cards were introduced in 1998. Cabinet approved the proposed extension in July, followed by draft regulations published for public comment in August.

Under the proposed rules, licences for motorcycles and light vehicles — codes A1, A, B and EB — would be valid for 10 years. Heavy vehicle licences would remain valid for five years, while professional driving permits and certain commercial licences would continue to have shorter renewal periods.

The public comment period closed on 17 September 2026, but the new 10-year validity period has not yet taken effect. Motorists whose licence cards expire before the regulations are finalised must therefore still renew them under the existing five-year system. The Department of Transport has also not yet confirmed whether the longer validity period will result in higher renewal fees.

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A new 34-bed physical rehabilitation hospital is set to open in Somerset West this month at Vergelegen Plein Shopping Centre. The Intercare facility will provide specialised care for patients recovering from illness, injuries and neurological conditions, with treatment focused on improving mobility and helping patients regain independence.

The hospital will include single, two-bed and four-bed rooms, as well as a multidisciplinary team of rehabilitation doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists. Dietitians and psychologists will also be involved where needed.

Facilities will include a hydrotherapy pool, occupational therapy areas, an equipped training kitchen, assisted bathing facilities and a dedicated dining area. Family involvement will also form part of the rehabilitation process, particularly when preparing patients to return home safely after treatment.

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Strand residents are calling for stricter enforcement after a weekend of public drinking, street dancing, traffic disruptions and heavy littering along Strand Beach Road on 3 and 4 October. Videos shared online showed crowds drinking openly, blocking traffic and disturbing the peace along the beachfront.

The Strand Patrol Neighbourhood Watch says similar problems have been reported repeatedly since 2023, particularly during busy summer weekends. Residents are now calling for stronger consequences, including alcohol confiscations, fines, arrests and the towing of illegally parked vehicles.

The City says Strand and Gordon’s Bay beachfronts have been designated priority enforcement zones ahead of the festive season, with additional weekend deployments requested. Law Enforcement, SAPS, Metro Police and Traffic Services will focus on public drinking, excessive noise, illegal parking, traffic obstruction and other by-law offences.

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A high-speed pursuit along the N2 from Grabouw towards Gordon’s Bay ended with the arrest of a man and the seizure of 2,005 units of suspected illegally harvested abalone on Tuesday night, 6 October. Law Enforcement officers pursued a Nissan NP200 bakkie over the Overberg Pass after receiving information about the vehicle.

The chase ended on the N2 opposite a petrol station in Gordon’s Bay, where vehicles from Gordon’s Bay Security assisted officers in blocking the suspect’s path. The adult male driver was arrested, while the vehicle and abalone were taken to Gordon’s Bay SAPS for processing.

The suspect is expected to face charges relating to the illegal possession and transportation of abalone. The incident comes only weeks after another operation in Strand, where two men were arrested after authorities found 856 units of illegally harvested abalone hidden in a vehicle.

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