Key details of the incident
The incident occurred on Saturday, 9 August 2026 (Women’s Day in South Africa), around 18:30 at Koeberg Street in Belhar, Cape Town. Western Cape police (Belhar station) registered a case of common assault linked to domestic violence (assault common D/V) and alleged contravention of a court order. A 33-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman were later arrested in Kensington. A child involved in the incident was returned to his mother.
Both suspects were detained and were due to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court (Bellville A-court) on Tuesday, 11 August 2026. Police have not publicly detailed the exact circumstances of the alleged assault or the nature of the court order breach. The allegations remain untested in court.
Public and party response
PA leader Gayton McKenzie first publicly addressed the matter on social media, informing supporters that Daniels and Rayners had been arrested. He indicated he did not yet have full details, stated he would brief the party once fully informed, and noted the dispute involved “3 people that are all very close to me.” He suggested it stemmed from an argument involving Daniels’ former wife, while awaiting further information from the party’s secretary-general.
Unverified social media claims (including from commentator Sebastian Petersen) described a confrontation involving Daniels, his former wife (centred on their child), and the involvement of his current wife. Police have not confirmed these accounts and have only verified the return of the child to his mother.
Media outlets (including IOL/Cape Argus and News24) reported reaching out to the PA spokesperson and Daniels for comment on the circumstances, any internal or precautionary party action, and related matters; no responses were available at the time of the initial reports.
Background on Daniels
Daniels is a PA councillor representing Ward 56 in the City of Cape Town (covering areas such as Acacia Park, Kensington, and Maitland in some reporting; earlier references sometimes linked him to Ward 51). He was announced as the PA’s mayoral candidate for Cape Town ahead of the 2026 local government elections. He has been active in party activities, including campaigning on issues such as housing, land access, and rent regulation, and has used both the surnames Steenberg and Daniels publicly (with Facebook and recent councillor profiles often using Daniels alongside the Steenberg handle/history).
The timing—shortly before the 2026 local elections and involving the party’s high-profile Cape Town mayoral candidate—has drawn attention in South African political and crime reporting. As of the latest available reports (dated 10 August 2026), the matter was still at the police investigation and initial court appearance stage, with limited official details released beyond the charges of common assault (domestic violence-related) and contravention of a court order.
Developments such as court outcomes, any bail conditions, further police statements, or PA internal decisions would provide additional clarity. Reports emphasize that the allegations have not been tested or proven in court.
