Author: svadmin

DURBAN – The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has mobilised all available police resources to hunt down the heartless killers who murdered six people at Marianhill earlier this evening.

It is alleged that at 19:30, a group of unknown men opened fire at people who were at a tuckshop in Marianhill killing six men aged between 30 and 65 years old. One other man who sustained gunshot wounds was transported to hospital for medical attention. Initial investigations revealed that three of the deceased were the tuckshop owner as well as his two sons and one of the deceased’s who was waiting at the tuckshop to see a traditional healer, might have been the actual target of the hit.

“This incident once again demonstrates our concern that firearms are contributing to the high levels of crime in the province and we are advocating for stricter regulations regarding the management of legal firearms as many of them end up being used by criminals. We will do everything within our control to bring these killers to book,” said Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi.

Source: South African Police Service

MOKWAKWAILA – The SAPS Mokwakwaila communication officer, Sergeant Tinyiko Manganye conducted a crime awareness campaign at Ga-Mokwakwaila Community Hall today.

The campaign was conducted during local Perfect radio station birthday celebration, which plays a vital role in terms of on-air awareness campaigns.

The attendees were alerted about the following issues.

• Gender-based violence (GBV)

• Domestic Violence

• Safety tips to prevent stock theft

• Buying of stolen goods

• Public violence

• Mob-justice.

Furthermore, contact numbers of the Station Commander, Community Service Center (CSC), Branch and Vispol Commanders were shared with the community members.

Source: South African Police Service

MANKWENG – On Friday, 29 July 2022, members of SAPS Mankweng Social Crime Prevention, Sergeant Mosima Lekota and Constable Phuti Gumede joined hands with Department of Health during Psychosocial Disability awareness campaign held at Mankweng Hospital.

The event was hosted by Child and Family Unit and in attendance were also traditional councils from GaDikgale, Mamabolo and Mothiba.

The campaign kick-started with a vegetable and key holder exhibition by the Child and Family Unit patients, followed by a fun walk from the hospital gate to the Recreational Hall.

Mrs Thembi Nkomo of Child and Family Unit outlined the purpose of the awareness and indicated that most of their patients are admitted due to drugs and other substance abuse.

During the message of support, Sergeant Lekota encouraged the community and stakeholders to take part in the fight against the scourge of drugs and criminality. She also urged them to take care of the vulnerable groups in society, especially people with mental illness.

Poets and comedians entertained the audience as they showcased their talents. The Mankweng hospital management appreciated the continuous support of the SAPS members.

Source: South African Police Service

MOKOPANE – The members of SAPS Mokopane including Women’s Network and Men for Change together with Victim Empowerment Centre (VEP) and Government Communication Information System (GCIS) concluded Mandela Month by giving back to the disadvantaged and vulnerable youth in and around Mokopane.

The SAPS members and GCIS employees on Friday, 29 July 2022, conjoined to address the prevalence of drug abuse among young people. The members prepared soup and bread for them and this was an opportunity to address the affected young people about the consequences of substance abuse.

This initiative also aims to bring them back to the community and to offer them moral support as they are often alienated from and stigmatized by their peers and the community. They were encouraged to take charge of their lives and seek professional help and to also join group therapy.

Source: South African Police Service

GENEVA — The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, Friday called for more to be done to protect African refugees and migrants from traffickers on their way from the Sahel and the Horn of Africa toward North Africa and Europe.

UNHCR spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo says traffickers take advantage of African refugees fleeing persecution and violence and of migrants fleeing poverty and climate shocks, subjecting them to appalling abuse.

“Some of them are left to die in the desert. Others suffer repeated sexual and gender-based violence, kidnapped for ransom, torture and many other forms of physical and psychological abuse,” said Mantoo. “So, the human trafficking issue is widespread and is incredibly alarming.”

The report issued by the UNHCR and the Mixed Migration Center at the Danish Refugee Council, is based on information from 12 countries, from Burkina Faso and Cameroon to Somalia and Sudan.

Mantoo tells VOA human traffickers and smugglers use technology and online platforms to advertise their services to unsuspecting victims. She says traffickers employ the internet to identify, groom and recruit victims, including children.

She says the UNHCR is urging governments and the private sector to work together to crack down on the use of the Internet by traffickers.

“These same digital technologies can be leveraged to actually counter the issue and counter trafficking by helping empower communities with trustworthy information, to better protect themselves and also be aware of the risks that they might face on these journeys …to ensure that there are protection services available for the people who are taking these precarious and perilous journeys, to prevent and end the human trafficking and smuggling rings,” said Mantoo.

The report provides tailored information for refugees and migrants on services available on different routes. The UNHCR is calling for the creation of shelters and safe places, better access to legal services, and specialized services for children and female survivors of trafficking and gender-based violence.

UNHCR officials stress the importance of identifying critical locations to serve as so-called last stops – places where refugees and migrants can get information about the dangers that lie ahead before they embark on journeys across the Sahara.

Source: Voice of America