Day: January 19, 2024

The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, is this week hosting the Commissioner of the Angola National Police, General Arnaldo Manuel Carlos, who is on a seven-day working visit.

The purpose of the working visit is for Angola’s Police Force to benchmark and share insight and knowledge on how the SAPS prevents and tackles transnational, organised and emerging crime trends.

The need to benchmark from the South African Police Service (SAPS) is part of a long-standing partnership which was fostered in 2017, according to the police.

This was after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two police organisations to enhance working relations with a view to jointly prevent and combat cross-border crimes such as drugs, and human trafficking as well as theft of minerals.

The delegation from Angola consists of senior officers and the Heads responsible for Angola’s Criminal Investigation Service, narcotics investigations unit, environmental and natural resources investigations
unit as well as the Angolan INTERPOL National Central Bureau Head.

The delegation will engage and exchange first-hand knowledge with SAPS detectives, crime intelligence officers, experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Police Emergency Services (flying squad, K9, mounted unit) as well as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) commonly known as the Hawks.

The delegation will also form part of SAPS’ impactful crime combatting strategy, Operation Shanela which has to date led to the arrest of more 350 000 suspects for various crimes ranging from murder to rape.

General Masemola said the visit aims to showcase the capabilities and expertise that exist within the SAPS.

‘We have a variety of experts within the SAPS that work together to prevent, combat and investigate crime.

‘Ours is to share knowledge and expertise with our counterparts with the aim of also ensuring that we benefit through joint cross border operations between the two countries,’ he said.

The visit will culminate
with a meeting between the Minister of Police General Bheki Cele and the Minister of Interior of the Republic of Angola, General Eugenio Cesar Laborinho who will together foster closer working relations between the two police organisations. This meeting will be held in Gauteng next week.

Source: South African Government News Agency

RUNDU: Two more suspects in the million-dollar fraud case at the Bank Windhoek branch in Opuwo, were apprehended on Thursday.

The Namibian Police Force in the Kavango East Region indicated in their daily crime report Friday that the two were reportedly on the run.

One of the suspects was arrested Thursday morning while trying to withdraw money over the counter and the other was arrested at his residence in the Kaisosi residential area in the afternoon.

The two suspects along with six other suspects who were apprehended earlier, were expected to make their first court appearance in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court before being transported to the Kunene Region, where the case was registered.

They allegedly conspired with Bank Windhoek employee Nico Rebebe, who reportedly transferred N.dollars 200 million to two separate bank accounts on 13 January 2024. Bank Windhoek has since indicated that the potential loss is less than N.dollars 2 million ‘thanks to vigilant staff action and robust systems and controls with
in the bank.’

Bank Windhoek has offered a reward of N.dollars 20 000 to anyone with information that could lead to the successful apprehension of Rebebe.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated South Africa’s unequivocal call for an ‘immediate and comprehensive ceasefire’ in Gaza, Palestine.

The President on Friday delivered the country statement of South Africa during the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit being held in Uganda.

The Israeli-Palestinian war erupted in October 2023 when militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel – killing at least 1200 people.

The Israeli retaliation on Palestine has been far greater with estimates that more than 20 000 Palestinians have been killed with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reporting the internal displacement of some 1.9 million people in Gaza.

‘South Africa calls for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza. We call for the release of all hostages and the resumption of talks on a just solution that will end the suffering of the Palestinian people. We further call for unhindered and expanded humanitarian access to allow for vital aid and basic services to me
et the needs of everyone living in Gaza.

‘As a consequence of the ever-worsening situation of the people of Gaza, South Africa has asked the International Court of Justice to issue provisional measures ordering Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza. This is necessary to protect against further, severe and irreparable harm to the rights of the Palestinian people,’ President Ramaphosa said.

The President said the ongoing conflict lays bare the ‘inadequacy’ of global governance organisations such as the United Nations (UN).

‘South Africa recently made financial contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency and the UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] to support their humanitarian operations in Gaza and the broader Palestinian refugees. In addition, many ordinary South Africans and NGOs have mobilised resources to assist the people of Gaza.

‘The conflict has again illustrated the inadequacy of the United Nations, in particular the UN Security Council, in maintaining international pea
ce and security. We should establish a system of global governance that is fair and equitable, and has the capacity to respond to the needs of all persons in situations of threat and harm,’ he said.

World challenges

Fixing attention on the Summit, President Ramaphosa said the gathering takes place at a time when international challenges – ‘exacerbated by geopolitical dynamics and conflicts in various regions of the world’ – are abound.

‘The wars taking place in Ukraine and Palestine are causing grave humanitarian and health crises and contributing to international instability. The supremacy of multilateralism as embodied by the United Nations Charter and international law is being undermined exactly when it is needed most.

‘At a time when the world appears to be once again divided between east and west, the Non-Aligned Movement should continue to assert its independence based on our common values.

‘South Africa remains steadfast in advancing its non-aligned approach in the maintenance of international pe
ace and security and advocating for inclusive dialogue and the peaceful political settlement of disputes,’ he said.

President Ramaphosa called on the NAM to work together in pursuance of:

the right to self-determination of the peoples of Palestine and Western Sahara;

the lifting of the economic blockade against Cuba and unilateral sanctions against Iran, Venezuela and Zimbabwe;

reaffirmation of the inalienable right of access to nuclear materials, equipment and technology for peaceful purposes;

upholding the centrality of the UN Charter and international law in the peaceful resolution of conflict;

defeating the scourge of terrorism and its root causes; and,

the alleviation and eradication of poverty and underdevelopment.

‘This interconnected world calls for a collective determination to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to address the economic, social, health and environmental challenges that every country faces.

‘We need to give dedicated attention to the reform of global governance inst
itutions, including the United Nations. We must give meaning to the principle of sovereign equality of nations and ensure that the voice of the African Continent and the Global South is strengthened in the broader multilateral system,’ he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the unprecedented success recorded by the matric Class of 2023 is evidence of the determination and ambition of learners and of a nation that values its youth.

The President offered his warm congratulations and that of government to the matriculants and the extended support system of educators, parents, school governing bodies and health care providers who carried this cohort of learners through the COVID 19 pandemic when they were in earlier grades.

The 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) overall pass rate reached 82.9%, compared with 80.1% in 2022, and 76.4% in 2021.

This is an improvement of 2.8%, and 6.5% from the pass rates achieved by the Classes of 2022 and 2021 respectively.

In real numbers, 572 983 candidates passed the 2023 NSC exams.

As a percentage, the 2023 pass is the highest in the history of the NSC.

Similarly, Bachelor passes as well as passes with distinction produced by the Class of 2023 stand out as the highest in the history of NSC exams.

‘The Cla
ss of 2023 has given itself and the nation great cause for pride and belief that our investment in education is the key to moving our country forward.

‘The 2023 matric results show that we’re a nation that takes care of its young people and that our young people are taking care of their future through their resilience and their dedication to learning.

‘The matric results are an irrefutable indicator of our comprehensive national development during 30 years of freedom and democracy. Our success in education must motivate us to achieve even greater things in all areas of our development,’ President Ramaphosa said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Hawks’ Bellville-based serious corruption investigation team have arrested Renay Claudine Ruiters for acts corruption.

Ruiters, 47, is a traffic official who allegedly extorted R15 000 from a person whom she arrested for driving under the influence of liquor in September 2023.

The matter was brought to the attention of the Hawks and the arrest was effected on Wednesday.

Ruiters is out on R1000 bail after she briefly appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court. The matter is postponed to 05 April 2024 for further investigation.

Head of the Hawks in the Western Cape, Major General Mathipa Makgato, appreciated the arrest as law enforcement officials are mandated to uphold and enforce the law.

He said this would hopefully send a strong message to other law breakers.

Source: South African Government News Agency

An extension has been granted to allow the public to submit their comments on the review of Coastal Waters Discharge Permits issued to fish processing facilities operating within St Helena Bay in the Western Cape.

The notice calling for public participation was published in various newspapers on 23 November 2023, as well as on the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s (DFFE) website.

The date for submissions has been extended to 29 February 2024.

‘The review process of the Coastal Waters Discharge Permits (CWDPs) aims to amend inconsistencies in the conditions of the CWDPs to establish uniformity and ensure gradual and consistent improvement of water quality in St Helena Bay over a five-year period.

‘Persons or entities who discharge, or intend to discharge, effluent from land-based sources are required to obtain a CWDP or a General Discharge Authorisation from DFFE,’ the department said on Friday.

This is according to Section 69 of the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coa
stal Management Act 24 of 2009 (ICM Act) which regulates pollution that originates from land-based sources.

Four fish processing establishments (FPEs) in St Helena Bay, namely Lucky Star, West Point Processor, Pioneer Fishing and Amawandle, have historically been discharging effluent into coastal waters using CWDPs obtained prior to the enforcement of the ICM Act.

‘The review process intends to set effluent discharge limits based on the 90th percentile of the FPEs’ effluent monitoring results from January 2022 to December 2022. Subsequently, the effluent improvement limits will mandate a 20% annual enhancement of interim limits for all FPEs.

‘To achieve these improvements and meet the stricter limits, the FPEs will be required to upgrade their infrastructure. Members of the public, including interested and affected stakeholders, are encouraged to take advantage of this extension to make valuable contributions and submissions,’ the department said.

Inputs can be delivered by hand to:

The Director: Coastal
Pollution Management

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

1 East Pier Building, East Pier Road

V and A Waterfront, Cape Town

Attention: Dr Yazeed Peterson

They can also be emailed to [email protected].

Copies of the current CWDPs, together with proposed amendments, can be downloaded from the department’s website at https://www.dffe.gov.za/permits/coastalwatersdischarge or obtained via email from [email protected].

Hard copies of these documents can be obtained from any of the four FPF companies mentioned above. Any enquires may be directed to Rueben Molale on 021 819 2493.

Source: South African Government News Agency

A man is due to appear in the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court today following his arrest for possession of unlicensed firearms with ammunition, as well as for contravention of the Firearm Control Act of South Africa.

A multi-disciplinary team consisting of members from the Mpumalanga Provincial Organised Crime, Criminal Record Centre, Provincial Designated Firearms Officers, Elukwatini Detectives, VISPOL, as well as officials from the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) played a major role in the breakthrough.

According to a report, information was received by law enforcement agencies regarding a firearms cache stored by an old man inside a house at Elukwatini.

Further information indicated that the man, 67, was in some way part of a certain security company but was suspected to be non-compliant.

The team coordinated their resources to establish if he was compliant to the PSIRA regulations. As a result, the team paid him a visit at Elukwatini on Thursday afternoon.

A search wa
rrant was obtained and upon arrival at the premises as per information provided, the law enforcement agencies conducted a search.

The members discovered a total of about 106 firearms as well as 1704 various assorted live rounds of ammunition.

Among the weapons found in the house are 14 rifles, eight shot guns, 84 pistols with ammunition, 718 9mm pistols, about 921 live rounds of ammunition for a rifle and 65 live rounds of ammunition for a shotgun.

It is further reported that the firearms were not kept inside a safe but rather stored underneath a bed while some were kept inside the wardrobe.

The members discovered that licences for some of the firearms, owned by a certain security company had already expired. The male suspect could not account for about 20 firearms.

In addition, the members established that he did not have licences for four pistols, which had ammunition hence he was arrested and charged accordingly. Part of the probe is to determine how he got hold of the firearms. Police investigations
are continuing.

The firearms as well as the ammunition were confiscated for further investigation.

As a norm in the police, the confiscated firearms will undergo ballistic testing to determine any linkages to crimes committed in the country.

At this stage, police cannot rule out the possibility of adding more charges against the suspect as the investigation continues, in relation to contravention of the Firearms Control Act.

Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has welcomed the arrest of the suspect as well as the recovery of the firearms with ammunition.

“Indeed the proliferation of firearms remains a thorn in the flesh in our endeavour to win the battle against crime.

‘Therefore when we succeed in recovering these firearms as well as arresting suspects, it gives us courage that we are really moving towards the right direction whilst removing firearms from the wrong hands. We commend the whistle blowers and members for the job
well done,” said the General.

Source: South African Government News Agency