57 children rescued in human trafficking drama – North West

THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE NORTH WEST NABBED THREE MALAWIAN NATIONALS FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

Human trafficking is a global problem affecting the most marginalized and vulnerable populations. Most of the people who are being trafficked are used for various acts which includes, criminality, various forms of slavery (cheap/child labor, prostitution, etc.)

These members of the South African Police Service stationed in Boitekong North West Province were busy with their routine patrol duties when they stopped a suspicious truck driving at high speed in the early hours of Sunday, the 24th July 2016.

On investigation and during the search fifty seven (57) undocumented children aged between 11 and 21 years were found in the back of a delivery truck which is without windows. Eighteen (18) of these children are girls (females) while thirty nine (39) of them are boys (males). These children were transported by the three adult occupants including the driver who are Malawian nationals. These adults could not provide a satisfactory account on the status of all the children.

The driver and his two companions were arrested for human trafficking. Further probe has revealed that all children were also Malawian Nationals. An investigation is currently underway which involves authorities and law enforcement agencies including engagements with our counterparts in Malawi. The response and cooperation of the Embassy of Malawi in this regard is appreciated.

The members of the service are applauded for the arrest and apprehension of the three suspects thereby saving the children from being abused. The issues related to how these children were able to cross the borders of our country including how they were able to reach Rustenburg is a matter of serious concern. The outcome of the investigation in finding answers to all the related questions is thus eagerly awaited.

We will continue to crack down on the transnational criminal organizations / syndicates involved in the smuggling and exploitation of migrants. We are further calling on all the community members to rally behind the police in dealing with the scourge.

Members of the public are urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious behavior in regards to alleged human trafficking for Investigation to SAPS 10111. Human trafficking is a serious human right violation and the South African Police Service will ensure that it follows up on leads which will assist in reducing such incidences.

The suspects were processed and appeared briefly at the Rustenburg Regional Magistrates’ Court this morning of Tuesday, 26 July 2016. Their case is postponed to the 13th of September 2016, they are facing 57 counts of human trafficking. These three accused persons are remanded in custody until their next appearance before court.

Furthermore, the Child Care Act 38 of 2005 takes into account the best interest of the child. Section 152 of the same act gives authority to a police office and or social worker to remove the child and place them in a safe facility, if a child is in need of care and protection.

The 57 children are in compliance with the laws of our country accommodated at a place safety (Care Center) under the auspices of the Department of Social Development in the North West Province. These centers provide support and care in line with the Child Care Act. Though our thorough investigation and information gathering it can be confirmed that the children were transported for the sole purpose of human trafficking, and our team is working around the clock to get more information on the intended destination of the children.

The South African Police Service will continue to implement the laws of our country in pursuance of a safe and secure environment for all the people in South Africa.

We remain committed through our Back to Basics Approach to realize the vision envisaged by the National Development Plan where in 2030 women and children will be walking freely in the streets of our country.

Published on South Africa Today – South Africa News

Protest in Kliptown Soweto – smell of poverty

Protest action in Kliptown taking place this morning. Chris Hani Road, between Elias Motswaledi and Klipspruit Road,and roads around Dlamani and Kliptown are affected. 

Protesters are blocking railway lines, trains cannot pass across.

Demonstrators are protesting over basic services, and mobile toilets overcrowding. Residents say the smell of poverty is overwhelming.

Motorists are urged to use alternative routes.

Kliptown residents often protest over service deliveries, and for years the demonstrators have voiced their anger at the ruling African National Congress (ANC) government for not delivering. Electricity, houses, essential services, and overcrowding in Kliptown are problems that have not been resolved.

Laura Oneale - published on  South Africa Today – South Africa News

Zuma is desperate to avoid political defeat VIDEO

President Jacob Zuma called the Democratic Alliance (DA) “snakes,” during an election meeting in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality on Saturday, July 23rd. One has to admire the “intelligence” of Zuma, and how brilliantly he fools the uneducated, ignorant followers of the African National Congress (ANC). 

Zuma also said that the DA was the spawn of the apartheid National Party and the Progressive Party. It is called desperation and Zuma is anxious about the outcome of the election. Over the past weeks while campaigning Zuma has made some ridiculous statements “Only the ANC have liberated South Africa,” and the statement he made while in the Western Cape, “In China, the Chinese rule and in India, Indians are in power. It’s only here in SA that we allow others to govern”? We all know who Zuma is referring to, the DA and the white people who are members of that party, it’s stirring up racial tensions.

Zuma is nothing more than a pathetic leader who has failed dismally. It is no secret that the situation in South Africa has worsened since he became president. Education is disastrous; unemployment has soared and out of control, there is no service deliveries and crime is uncontrollable. Zuma will tell the ignorant ANC supporters that the ANC are the chosen party. Nothing more than a desperate act of trying to hang on to power and self-enrichment.

Zuma knows he is in trouble and so anxious to gain support in the upcoming local election. Zuma needs to stay in control; it is the only way he will stay out of prison, and when one is desperate, actions can turn nasty. Zuma cannot win supporters confidence with the truth about good governance, and the only way Zuma will get the votes is through instilling fear into the hearts of the masses. It is a sad fact that many ANC supporters are completely ignorant and believe the deceitful lips of a failed president.  WATCH THE VIDEO - HAVE A LAUGH - CLICK ON THE SAT LINK

Laura Oneale  - published on  South Africa Today – South Africa News  -

Police shooting – Johan Leibbrandt killed under mysterious circumstances

Former tour guide Johan Leibbrandt was shot and killed in Barberton by the police and the circumstances remain a mystery. The shooting occurred on Sunday, and the Lowfelder journalist Stefan de Villiers wrote on July 22 that three different versions are circulating surrounding the circumstances of his death. 

Leibbrandt lived with his mother in Pretoria, and after the death of his father about a year ago, looked after her as she suffered from Alzheimer. On the day of the fatal shooting, he went with his mother to visit friends in Barberton. The mother being a sufferer of Alzheimer was unable to tell the police what happened.

According to a police spokesman Brig. Selvy Mohlala three police officers, a woman, and two men, reacted to a complaint received of a break-in. The incident happened at the house of the Leibbrandt friends whom they were visiting. When the police arrived, both Leibbrandt and his mother were spotted next to the road, apparently waiting to report the break-in that has just occurred. The police offered to take them back to the police station, but Leibbrandt became anxious about his mother being placed in the back of a police van. The two police officers climbed into the back of the van and allowed both Leibbrandt and his mother to sit in the front of the vehicle.

According to police officer Mohlala, Leibbrandt assaulted the driver and tried to take away her firearm, and a shot went off, hitting Leibbrandt in the chest, killing him instantly. Mohlala could not explain to the Lowfelder journalist why they had taken both Leibbrandt and his mother in the police van, nor could an explanation be given why the two were standing next to the road.
The second version of the tragic incident comes from a female friend of the family and family members, who are trying to establish what happened and said that before Leibbrandt had died, she received and SMS in Afrikaans from him, stating that the police had kidnapped him. The family reported that the police officers tried to push both Leibbrandt and his mother into the police van and that Leibbrandt sought to resist.

The third version is from the gossipers in town. READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE - PUBLISHED ON
South Africa Today – South Africa News

Zuma wants to be a dictator for six months

Jacob Zuma, the all inclusive president of South Africa wants six months to do as he pleases, run the country as a dictator and put the country back on the right track. Zuma was addressing a group of primary school children in Tembisa. Zuma knows how to save South Africa. Now we are aware how desperate the president and the ANC are. So much for the democracy that was handed to the ANC 22 years ago that people forget to ask Zuma for his definition of democracy.

Zuma has been at the helm for eight years, and South Africa has turned into a “wrecking ball”, what on earth would the president do in six months. Of course giving Zuma six months would be like giving him free rein. Does the president believe the people are naïve and allow something so outrageous? Zuma said the freedom to take over would eliminate the collective, resolution decisions and petitions that are a lot of work. However, being free to turn the situation around would make it easier for the president to speed up progress. Accelerate the process of destroying the country, after all, the ANC seem to think that the Constitution is the cause of their failure, and that would be the first change Zuma would make.

Zuma elaborated on education and said it would be compulsory for all unemployed, and it would be more than compulsory, for anyone walking around the streets would be arrested. Another focus was unemployment; they would have to go back to school. Can you imagine all the 40-year-olds back at school? Zuma did say, that people cannot study religion because there were too many priests, rather people should explore plumbing.

Zuma handed out school bags and blankets to the school and told the youngsters not to believe that he was not educated. Zuma said he took a decision to educate himself after the death of his father.
Now we know that Zuma is educated and has a plan, but needs the people to allow the president to implement the dictatorship for six months. It is a joke, can an educated man, who proclaims that South Africa is a democratic country expect the people to allow such nonsense.

Laura Oneale - published on South Africa Today – South Africa News