News snippets from around the world

Paul O’Sullivan offers R1m cash reward after Cape cop Charl Kinnear’s murder

Private Forensics Investigator Paul O’Sullivan has offered R1 million in cash for the successful prosecution of those responsible for the murder of Cape Town cop Lieutenant-Colonel Charl Kinnear, who was gunned down outside his home in Bishop Lavis last week. Kinnear was a top police detective of the Anti-Gang Unit. O’Sullivan’s not-for-profit organisation, Forensics for Justice, said they were offering R1m cash for information that would lead to the successful prosecution of Kinnear’s murder plotters. (Source: www.iol.co.za)

Horse slaughtered with pangas as racecourse labourers feud

At least one horse was alleged to have been slaughtered with pangas and others attacked as a protest allegedly over UIF non-payment raged at the Fairview racecourse in Port Elizabeth last week Thursday. According to an eye witness, police made several arrests. The witness added that a staff dispute at the CCMA was also behind the protest. People trying to rescue horses had their cars pelted with rocks, she said. Other reports from witnesses said several horses were injured, with some sustaining broken legs as they tried to flee the fires. Meg Wilson, spokesperson for the NSPCA, called the event “mayhem” and said police had asked for backup. The protesters were later dispersed by members of the public order police unit and flying squad members. (Source: www.timeslive.co.za)

Weapons and ammunition found hidden in doctor’s quarters at Baragwanath Hospital

Security officers on a routine patrol at Baragwanath Hospital made the discovery during a routine patrol last weekend. They found 47 bullets, three 9mm handguns, two pepper sprays, two handcuffs, one SAPS reflector vest, and a police cap. (Source: www.ewn.co.za)

Man arrested; more arrests expected in Eastern Cape fake SASSA disability grants

scam

A 51-year-old man was arrested last week and more arrests are expected to follow in connection with a scheme in which the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) was allegedly defrauded of almost R1.2 million in the Eastern Cape. That’s according to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks. Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Lwando Zenzile said in a statement that “The suspect from Kwatyutyu, in King William’s Town, allegedly recruited community members in the same area, Bisho and Zwelitsha, to supply him with identity numbers which he provided to Sassa officials and they then fraudulently created disability grants on their behalf between August 2018 and September 2019.” (Source: www.iol.co.za)

SA Covid-19 lockdown level 1: what is still illegal

A curfew remains in place, from 00:01 to 04:00 with only those with permits or attending to security or medical emergencies allowed to be on the roads. Breaking that and other rules can come with up to six months in prison.

Not wearing mask: only those undertaking “vigorous” exercise are exempted.

Night vigils for the dead: While funerals may now have up to 100 people in attendance (double the previous limit), there is still a total ban on night vigils.

No gatherings of more than 500 people permitted barring in cinemas, theatres and casinos.

The limit for outdoor religious service gatherings, concerts and political events is also 500. Indoor events: 250 people.

Spectators at sports events are still banned outright, and so are night clubs and initiation schools.

The purchase of alcohol from liquor stores is only permitted during the week until 17:00. This doesn’t apply to bars and restaurants which can sell alcohol on weekends and up to the curfew. (Source: www.businessinsider.co.za)

Gauteng housing corruption probe escalated

The fact-finding mission into corrupt officials within the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has been handed over to the Provincial Forensic Audit Service. This comes after the provincial portfolio committee on Cogta and human settlements requested the department to look into corruption allegations linked with the allocation of government houses in Clayville Extension 45 and Extension 71 in Tembisa. (Source: www.iol.co.za)

Cops arrest several ‘most wanted’ suspects linked to taxi murders

Police may have made an important breakthrough in the struggle to curb ongoing – and currently increasing – taxi violence around the country. Three men, identified as ‘most wanted’ suspects, have been arrested on the East Rand and linked to a number of cases of taxi violence, including several murders. Among these is a case where a taxi owner and his brother were shot and killed in Protea Glen, Soweto, in July 2019, and an incident where a taxi owner and his driver were gunned down in Kensington in March 2019. (Source: www.thesouthafrican.com)

How Dishal Sooku stopped a child being kidnapped in his restaurant

A martial arts expert used a choke technique to pin down a man who allegedly tried to kidnap a child from his restaurant in Johannesburg last week Thursday. Footage of the incident was widely shared on social media, making Dishal Sooku, 38, of Lenasia, famous in South Africa as well as abroad. In the footage, Naseem Slamang, the accused, climbs over the railing and runs to a table where two women and a child are seated. He grabs the 4-year-old girl by the neck and attempts to pull her out of her seat. Sooku, who is seated nearby, gets up and tries to restrain him. He manages to pin Slamang to the ground until security guards approach. Captain Kay Makhubele, a Gauteng police spokesperson, said a 24-year-old man had been arrested and charged with assault. He said the man appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Phindi Mjonondwane, a Gauteng spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, said the accused was charged with assault GBH, attempted kidnapping and common assault. (Source: www.iol.co.za)

Orange Farm residents demand answers after two children found murdered

Orange Farm residents are demanding answers after two children were found dead in the area hours after they were reported missing. The community in the south of Johannesburg held a prayer service in the afternoon at the spot where the bodies of the six-year-old boy and eight-year-old girl were found. It is understood the children disappeared while walking home from a nearby salon on Friday. The matter has been escalated to provincial level. (Source: www.ewn.co.za)

Man arrested for KZN double farm murder

A 29-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of a KwaZulu-Natal couple at a farm in Normandien, near Newcastle. Glen Rafferty and his wife Vida were shot dead on the front porch of their farmhouse at the end of last month. Their dog was also killed in the incident. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Brig Jay Naicker said that the suspect was arrested by the organised crime unit of Osizweni over the weekend. (Source: www.sowetanlive.co.za)

Special Tribunal halts payment of R10 million scooter tender

The Special Tribunal has granted an order preventing the Eastern Cape health department from paying out the more than R10 million for the controversial scooter project. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed the decision and said it would ensure that state funds are not abused. The 100 scooters, fitted with extra chairs and gazebos, were initially meant to transport patients but according to Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize, “… the Scooter Project that was launched by the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDOH) does not meet the basic criteria for patient transport as an ambulance.” (Source: www.thesouthafrican.com)

Former George mayor and four others due in court over R9 million fraud case

A former mayor of George in the Southern Cape will appear in court soon along with four municipal officials in connection with a R9 million fraud and corruption case. According to the Hawks, the former mayor allegedly offered work to a company on a planned project long before it was registered with the George Local Municipality. He is further accused of colluding with the municipal manager and senior employees in the municipality’s community services department and of having appointed other associated companies to complete work under the War on Waste project in 2017. About R9 million was allegedly paid between May and December 2017 and several gratifications were also paid to officials, allegedly involved, in the form of cash payments, holiday accommodation and donations for school functions. (Source: www.ewn.co.za)

ANC in Gauteng to release PPE tender scandal report

The ANC’s Gauteng provincial executive committee (PEC) will release the report into the PPE tender scandal implicating Health MEC Bandile Masuku following discussions around preparations for local government elections and the provincial integrity commission’s report. Both Masuku and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Khusela Diko, have taken leave of absence after they were implicated in the PPE tender scandal. (Source: www.iol.co.za)

How Covid-19 turned out to be good news for rhinos

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought an unexpected benefit to rhinos and other wildlife — a decrease in poaching during the first half of the year. The International Rhino Foundation, in its recently-released 2020 State of the Rhino Report outlining current conservation trends, including the effect of the global pandemic on the world’s five species of rhinoceros, that in response to the pandemic, countries around the world had closed borders and restricted international and domestic travel. With an increased military and police presence, regular checkpoints enacted, and government parks and private reserves closed to outside visitors, local poaching gangs found it risky to move people without raising suspicions. International travel restrictions closed wildlife trafficking routes to China and Vietnam, the largest black markets for rhino horn. (Source: www.timeslive.co.za)

Secret service slush fund case transferred to Pretoria High Court

The Secret Services Slush Fund case, whereby high-profile ex-crime intelligence senior personnel are involved, has been transferred to the Pretoria High Court and will be heard on Tuesday 10 November 2020. On Thursday 17 September, Former Crime Intelligence Divisional Commissioner Richard Mdluli, Crime Intelligence ex-Chief Finance Officer Solomon Lazarus and Former Supply Chain Manager Heine Barnard appeared before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. The trio appeared in connection with multiple counts of fraud, corruption, theft and defeating the administration of justice charges. They will appear in November, where, for the first time in nine years, they will face the charges with regard to the Slush Fund. (Source: www.the southafrican.com)

Amid coronavirus pandemic, Texas border agents see human smuggling on the rise

The Laredo Border Sector is reporting a rise in commercial trade due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but that’s not all. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are also battling an uptick in human smuggling cases. The Laredo Port of Entry has handled 40 percent of all trade with Mexico. The Border sector generated $300 billion in annual trade, the highest amount in the country. Customs and Border Protection agents also have been dealing with an increase in human smuggling cases since the coronavirus pandemic began. They said the Rio Grande has been a popular spot for illegal border crossings, including human smuggling. (Source: www.foxnews.com)

International Criminal Court officials sanctioned by US

The US has imposed sanctions on senior officials in the International Criminal Court (ICC), including chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused the court of “illegitimate attempts to subject Americans to its jurisdiction”. The Hague-based ICC is currently investigating whether US forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan. (Source: www.bbc.com)