South African Roads are Dangerous

A horrific collision between a taxi and a South African Post Office truck on the R41 from Randfontein resulted in the death of fourteen people. It is believed that the taxi veered in front of a truck causing a head-on collision.

 

Millions of people travel in taxis to work each day,  as South African does not have a functional public transport system. Taxi drivers are known to be ruthless and above the law when on the roads. Thousands of accidents are caused by reckless, inconsiderate and downright dangerous taxi drivers. While there are the occasional decent taxi drivers who do respect the laws of the road, most ignore these laws and drive without consideration for other vehicles. It is the aggressive and inconsistent actions of taxi drivers that make traveling on South African roads dangerous for all.

The emergency and law enforcement personnel who have to attend to accident incidents have the sympathy of the country. It is these people who have to deal with the horrific scenes and clean up operations.

It is estimated that over 1000 people die each year on the roads of South Africa, and while that is a significantly high number, the reality and truth cannot be ignored. Suppressing the truth that people die every day as a result of road accidents, murder, and other criminal activities will not fix the problems.

In South Africa 50 people a day are murdered, and it is staggering to accept that innocent people are killed. The lawlessness and corruption happening in South Africa are a cause of individuals being killed either on roads and through crime. The world needs to know that the carnage going on in South Africa is a direct result of the government’s non-intervention. As long as the government continues to ignore the taxi problem, because there are links between drivers and government officials, the deaths on South African roads will never end.

By Laura Oneale

South Africa Today – South Africa News
 http://southafricatoday.net/south-africa-news/south-african-roads-dangerous/

South Africa Criminal Attacks on the Rise

South Africa is swarming with criminals that attempt to rob, attack and murder innocent victims daily. There is no solution to combat crime and while the unemployment rate remains high crime increases.
When people are alerted to attacks, it could save a life and possessions. Being vigilant and cautious can foil an attempted attack. Practicing situation awareness and responding instinctively when an imminent threat to your life is happening is the key to avoiding a horrible situation.
Jan Smuts Avenue, Parktown has been marked as a hotspot for vehicle hijacking and last night another hijacking was foiled by the quick thinking driver who stopped at a red light intersection. The driver was approached by two men on either side of the vehicle who demanded he hand over the cell phone and money and was threatened to be shot. When the driver saw the suspect reach his arm inside his jacket, he accelerated through the red light. It was dangerous to drive off through the red light as accidents could have occurred, however in this instance, there was none.  If the driver had waited for the traffic light to change, there was a possibility that he might have sustained serious injuries or lost his life from another senseless shootout.

It is not only people in a vehicle who are threatened daily; it is innocent people walking the streets of South Africa that are vulnerable to attacks. A 35-year-old caretaker was stabbed to death by a group of teenagers while walking down Phoenix Street, Durban, Kwazulu-Natal. The man was stabbed in his chest by juveniles who say the caretaker attempted to rob their friend and acted in self-defense.

Washing your car should be a harmless activity and yet in Carltonville, without any warning five men surrounded a woman while she was getting her car cleaned.  The overpowering men beat the woman and tied her up. The suspects fled in their vehicle and stole the just cleaned new car of the victim.
There are the hit and run incidents happening all the time, and another victim is suffering from intensive lacerations to his arms and legs. The man in his forties was hooked by barbed wire hanging off the side of the truck as it drove past him. The victim was dragged behind the truck for almost 50 meters before he successfully detangled himself. This incident happened in Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu-Natal.

Where are people safe these days, it is not in a vehicle, or while walking and doing chores. Criminals have no sense of fear and attack people randomly. It is indeed a concern; that innocent people do not know who will be the next victim. South Africa is fearfully a country scorned by the criminal activities of individuals who have no shame or regret for the damage and trauma caused.
By Laura Oneale

South Africa Today – South Africa News
 http://southafricatoday.net/south-africa-news/south-africa-criminal-attacks-rise/

South African Police Helping the Nation

The past 24 hours have seen the South African Police embark on various crime intelligence operations around the country. Successfully more criminals are behind bars, and dangerous firearms have been confiscated.

In the Walmer area, the police successfully arrested several suspects linked to crime and confiscated firearms and other items during a crime blitz. A firearm that was confiscated has been associated with a housebreaking in Walmer during February 2016.

In the Ethekwini area, a total of eight suspects were arrested for various crimes, ranging from drugs, and unlawful possession of firearms, house, and business robberies. The police recovered stolen vehicles, cellphones, firearms and other electronic devices.

Members of the Muizenberg Crime Preventing Unit succeeded in arresting two suspects and confiscating drugs while on patrol. The Overcome Heights Informal Settlement is known for drug activity. Two men aged 27 and 22 respectively threw away a bag of narcotics when they noticed the police patrolling. However, the police managed to recover the drugs consisting of mandrax tablets and arrest the two for illegal possession.

Perhaps the most frightening story is the arrest of a lieutenant in the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) during a police intelligence-led operation in Bloemfontein. The suspect had a warrant of arrest against him for murder. It is indeed a depressing thought knowing that the army harbors criminals. The army that is commissioned to protect South Africa. The police recovered hand grenades and ammunition during the blitz.

It is encouraging to know that the South African Police are taking positive action around the country and arresting criminals that terrorize innocent people. While the crime statistics remain high and arresting several suspects are applauded, the crime situation remains a serious concern. It is also a distressing thought to know that the South African prisons are overcrowded and arresting more criminals will have a severe impact on the already strained state. However, it is the positive progression of the South African police that makes the country a safer environment.
By Laura Oneale

South Africa Today – South Africa News
 http://southafricatoday.net/south-africa-news/south-african-police-helping-nation/

Jacob Zuma to Face the Wrath of Justice

A seven-year battle and victory for the Democratic Alliance (DA) who will finally see justice. The Northern Gauteng High Court ruled that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) must proceed with the 783 charges against President Jacob Zuma.  The charges relate to corruption, fraud, and racketeering resulting from past activities.

It is an undeniable fact that the NPA is controlled by Jacob Zuma loyalists and that there will be delay tactics to prevent action taken. There is a possibility of an appeal or sabotage, but the real burning question is whether the head of the NPA Shaun Abrahams will take action.Not only are the DA leaders and supporters elated over the decision to prosecute Zuma, but the other political parties also seem to show delight in the court’s verdict. The Congress of the People (COPE) are pleased that attempts by Zuma to corrupt the justice system have failed and that the president will have his day in court. Political parties are delighted that justice will prevail and as Bantu Holomisa said, “Lynch mob justice mentality has been exposed, Luthuli and Zuma will appeal, delaying tactics.”

Zuma always said that he wanted his day in court, and it is indeed a victory for the justice system who will allow the president to be granted his desire. The world is watching and wondering if the African National Congress (ANC) will once again protect the president, or will the moral compass of honesty and integrity blossom.

The question is whether Zuma will once again evade accountability for his action and if he does, then South Africa will be saddled with a leader that cannot be trusted until the general election in 2019.
The ANC said in a statement that society should not infer that Zuma is guilty of the charges as the court rulings only dealt with the merits of allegations against the president. The ANC are pleased that this matter can be finalized after dragging on for over seven years and support the justice system in South Africa.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

South Africa Sexual Harassment at Belfast Academy School

In this modern-day age, one would believe that sexual harassment is not permitted at schools.
However, in South Africa, victims have come forward with accusations against teachers at the Belfast Academy School. It is, indeed, sad and humiliating that children must suffer under the evil desires of grown-ups. Recently, the Guardian Liberty Voice published an article on intimidation at this school, and now several children have sought help from the enslavement of abuse happening at the South Africa school.

 Evidence has been provided that a teacher, Madelene De Lange Holtzhausen, has been abusing young male students for an extended period of time. The teacher has sought to intimidate the students into having sex after school hours, sending money and airtime, and buying gifts for the victims. Students are embarrassed, ashamed, and bullied into a relationship with Holtzhausen. By contacting several students via social media, namely WhatsApp and Facebook, Holtzhausen would have explicit sexual conversations. One student, whose name cannot be identified for protection, could not endure the relationship and sought help. Since exposing the teacher, Holtzhausen, a mother of two boys, disabled her Facebook account.

The above Facebook conversation is in Afrikaans, which is a commonly spoken language in South Africa, between the teacher and student.
Teacher:          Meet me after school at our secret place
Student:          I do not think it is a good idea to carry on meeting anymore, and I do not enjoy sex anymore
Teacher:          Make sure you are there, and I know you enjoy sex. I bought you a gift
Student:          I will be there and what did you buy me.  I am afraid that people will find out
Teacher:          I cannot wait to get my hands on you. The gift is a surprise.
Student:          We had sex with each other, and it is hideous to continue, we must not do it again.
Teacher:          Think about your school marks that can suddenly become low, I can fail you. It is not hideous; it is what people do, and then people enjoy sex. You must just get used to it. Do not trust anybody and don’t tell anybody, keep this our little secret.
Student:          Yes teacher I will not tell anybody and please do not fail me. Thank you for the money and the airtime, I will be able to access WhatsApp today.

From this conversation, it would appear that the teacher is intimidating the student and even threatening to fail him if he does not commit to the demands made. The student is overwhelmed with guilt and emotionally confused, feeling trapped in a situation that does not have an ending.

The student approached White Movement World Wide (WMWW) for help. The WMWW is an organization that concentrates on helping young white students worldwide, and in particular, around South Africa. The South Africa branch of the organization is under the leadership of Connie DeWitt. Flippie Potgieter, who is an investigating officer for the movement, was approached by the student for help and they are busy investigating the story. The WMWW is planning on taking action against the teacher and school.

In the above message, the ninth grade student told Potgieter that the teacher wrote her cell number on the board and told the learners to send an introductory message. The learners all sent messages as instructed, and after a few weeks, the teacher began sending reply messages to several students.

The student told Potgieter that Holtzhausen began sending strange messages asking if he had sex and the pupil messaged back saying that he was still a virgin. The teacher told the student that she had sex with other men and would make it a rule to have sex in the classroom, as well as the rugby field.

Then, Holtzhausen also described how she would show him. One day, the teacher forced him to stay late after school had finished and continued the sordid conversation of sex. The student received explicit photos on WhatsApp, and eventually, blocked the teacher from communicating. Not giving up, the teacher continued to harass the pupil on Facebook and the student embarrassed by the whole incident subsequently blocked the Facebook account and sought help.

Since exposing Holtzhausen, several other children have come forward with stories of abuse. Parents have been notified the institution and are horrified that the school has allowed a teacher to abuse the children. Moreover, it has also been noted that this same teacher was dismissed from the school for sexual abuse previously but reinstated. The WMWW, along with parents and affected children, will take action against the teacher and school, which is situated in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Child abuse and sexual harassment are serious offenses, and South Africa is not exempt from the exploitation. Parents cannot depend on the justice system of South Africa to take action, given the fact that corruption is notably a cause of concern. Therefore, the WMWW of South Africa has committed to seeking justice on behalf of the distressed children who suffered at the hands of a merciless teacher.


PUBLISHED TODAY ON THE GUARDIAN LV - HERE IS THE LINK



http://guardianlv.com/2016/04/south-africa-sexual-harassment-at-belfast-academy-school/