ASSOCIATION NEWS
News snippets from around the world South Africa’s most-wanted: 10 SA nationals on Interpol ‘red list’
Interpol have a clutch of South Africans on their ‘red list’. Here’s what you need to know about the most-wanted criminals from our shores. South Africa has a rather uncomfortable relationship with crime. The statistics can be a tough read upon their annual publication, and some of our biggest cities are renowned for their criminal elements. So it’s perhaps no surprise to learn that 10 SA nationals feature on Interpol’s most-wanted list. WHAT IS THE INTERPOL RED LIST? The infamous ‘wall of shame’ features thousands of lawbreakers from all across the world. They are fugitives who have, in one way or another, managed to abscond justice. The Interpol ‘red list’ gathers intel on their crimes, identities, and personal information – and gives sweeping powers to regional authorities who suspect they may have located one of these suspects: “Red Notices are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence. A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.” (Source: www.thesouthafrican.com/)
Cybercrime on the rise again, customers urged to be cautious Businesses are also at risk, with cyber criminals using various means to try to access their banking or customer data. Cybercrime is on the rise again as more people are using digital platforms to work, shop and do their banking. “Fraudsters are constantly looking for new ways to get your information,” said Giuseppe Virgillito from FNB’s digital 10
SECURITY FOCUS AFRICA OCTOBER 2020
of repeat offenders. However, the bill was put on hold pending a proposal to the minister of Home Affairs to investigate the feasibility of the extension of buccal sampling to all citizens in the country and not just criminals. (Source: www.businesstech.co.za) banking department. “When customers or businesses let their guard down in transacting or operating digitally, it gives fraudsters more opportunity to commit their crimes.” Virgillito said fraudsters go to any means to get individuals or organisations to divulge their personal or financial information, often by tricking them with technology. (Source: www.citizen.co.za)
Government wants to ‘track’ all South Africans from birth – here’s why
The Civilian Secretariat for Police provided an update on a number of proposed pieces of legislation it is considering to parliament this week, including a new bill which could allow for the tracking of South Africans from birth in an effort to help combat crime. The Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act came into operation in January 2015 and provides for, among other things, the taking of buccal samples – a sample of a person’s saliva taken from the person’s mouth – from all convicted Schedule 8 offenders for the purposes of forensic DNA analysis. The purpose of the updated bill is to strengthen this legislation for criminal investigations and ensure the prosecution
Sword-wielding man arrested after Halloween deaths in Quebec
A man dressed in medieval clothing and armed with a Japanese sword was arrested Sunday on suspicion of killing two people and wounding five others on Halloween near the historic Château Frontenac hotel in Quebec City. The attack on randomly chosen victims went on for nearly 21/2 hours while police pursued the man, armed with a katana, throughout the city’s downtown core on foot, Quebec Police Chief Robert Pigeon said. Quebec’s prosecutor’s office said Carl Girouard, 24, faces two counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder. (Source: www.msn.com)
Criminal records for admission of guilt offences to be expunged, says Minister
In a move likely to benefit thousands of
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