Cape Town, South Africa — The City of Cape Town has made a plea to residents to conserve water diligently before the end of May, as dam levels have reached a critical 47. 8%. The metro’s water usage has slightly decreased, yet it still surpasses the city’s targeted consumption levels.
With current consumption rates, officials warn that dam levels could plummet to around 40% by May, assuming average rainfall. In response, the city is contemplating water restrictions. Cape Town emphasizes the importance of reducing consumption to ensure sufficient water storage ahead of the upcoming winter season, which is anticipated to bring below-average rainfall.
In separate news, four suspects were killed and two others were arrested following a shootout with police in iKwezi, Soweto. The suspects, tracked down by the Hawks, private security, and the Gauteng Police Highway Patrol, attempted to flee when they noticed surveillance. The resulting chase and gunfight left a seventh suspect at large. The arrested individuals are anticipated to face charges including attempted murder, business robbery, and possession of illegal firearms.
Additionally, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has extended the stay for foreign nationals in South Africa with pending long-term visa, waiver, and appeal applications by 15 months. This extension, confirmed at the end of March, provides affected applicants with a legal stay in the country until June 2027, in a move aimed at alleviating pressure on the immigration system. The extension is applicable only to long-term visa categories and does not cover short-term applications.
Source: allafrica
