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EASTERN CAPE – Sterkspruit detectives are urgently seeking the communities’ assistance in locating the family and the possible identification of an unidentified male.

The SAPS received a report on the 12 February 2022 of the body of an unknown male that was found floating in the Orange River next to Mdlokovana Village.

The age of the male is estimated to be between 12 and 16 years. The body was already at a decomposed stage. He had no clothes on at the time when he was found.

If any person can assist the SAPS with information they must please contact the investigating officer Sgt Vundisa at 051-6119212 or 083 925 0182.

Source: South African Police Service

HARRISMITH – The Rapid Rail Police Unit again successfully arrested two suspects in separate incidents in Harrismith.

On 1 March 2022 at about 16:00 the Rapid Rail Police Unit (RRPU) deployed in Harrismith to intensify crime prevention in and around the area were conducting a stop and search on the N3 highway. The two members went to the nearby filling station for refreshments, they saw a suspicious looking person at the garage who was searched and found in possession of a 9mm pistol with 17 live rounds of ammunition inside the magazine. The suspect from White City in Ladysmith was arrested and is expected to appear in the Harrismith Magistrate court soon for possession of unlicensed firearm.

On 2 March 2022 at 14:30 the RRPU members were executing crime prevention duties when they spotted a suspicious looking VW Polo Vivo 1.4 with GP registration driven in Harrismith. They approached, stopped and searched the driver and vehicle. The vehicle was tested positive as it reflected as being reported stolen in Sandton, Gauteng Province. A 34-year-old driver from Tshiame C near Harrismith was arrested and the vehicle was seized. The suspect will be charged and is expected to appear before the Harrismith Magistrate court soon facing charges of possession of suspected stolen vehicle. The matter will also be referred to Sandton police for further handling.

The Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Baile Motswenyane appreciates the great work by police members and encourages them to keep up the good work of serving the citizens of this country with pride and dignity.

Source: South African Police Service

South Africa chose to abstain Wednesday when the United Nations General Assembly voted on a resolution calling on its BRICS partner, Russia, to withdraw its military forces from Ukraine. South Africa’s U.N. ambassador defended the move, but some South Africans were unhappy with the decision.

South Africa was one of 17 African nations that abstained.

In a statement, South Africa’s U.N. Ambassador Mathu Joyini objected to the phrasing of the resolution, saying it “does not create an environment conducive for diplomacy, dialogue and mediation.”

Political science professor Bheki Mngomezulu said South Africa is also influenced by its historical ties to the former Soviet Union.

“There are a number of South Africans, most of whom are now in government, who trained both in Russia and Ukraine. So, they do have relations with Ukraine. And the majority of the people are of the view that the liberation struggle was supported solely by Russia in terms of these two countries, but the reality of the matter is all the countries that were part of the USSR participated in terms of assisting the liberation struggle not only in South Africa but in Africa in general,” Mngomezulu said.

The main opposition party in South Africa, the Democratic Alliance, released a statement condemning the country’s stance. The party’s shadow minister for international relations Darren Bergman said the party is shocked that South Africa could abstain from such a vote.

“This was an opportune time for South Africa to take a stand and to assert itself on the international stage,” Bergman said.

He said considering how hard South Africans fought to end the racially oppressive system of apartheid and get the right to vote, and how the international community helped them win their fight, they should’ve repaid the favor.

“An abstention or voting for Russia is pretty much the same language. It’s a vote against Ukraine. It’s a vote against peace, and it’s a condonation of the violence that’s currently taking place in Ukraine,” Bergman said.

Other South Africans added their voices to the chorus of disappointment, including analyst Mngomezulu.

“Of course, it doesn’t paint the country in a positive light, more especially because part of South Africa’s foreign policy agenda is to respect human rights, and in this case it’s clear that the human rights of the Ukrainians [have] been affected,” Mngomezulu.

Ronnie Gotkin, who was out for an afternoon stroll in the summer sunshine, said he was outraged.

“I think it’s pretty appalling. It’s not taking a moral stance. I understand that in the real world there are politics and allies, but sometimes morality should trump out,” Gotkin said.

In all, 141 nations voted in favor of the resolution, five nations, including Russia, voted no, and 35 abstained.

Eritrea was the only African nation to vote with Russia.

Source: Voice of America