Farm attacks and farm murders happening in South Africa are nothing
more than the horrific torture of
innocent people.The barbaric, savage
manner in which families are killed and tortured is inhumane.Why would any
human being attack another with such brutality.If the motive of an attack was to rob the victim then why torture the
family for hours. Farm attacks are no ordinary crime
Jinger Jarrett, an American wrote the following article
regarding the South African situation and especially about the horrific farm
murders.
I love South Africa more than my haters love South Africa. If they really loved South Africa, they would have put their egos aside and worked with me. Not everyone is in it for the credit. Not everyone is in it for the money. Not everyone is in it for the attention.
Some of us actually believe what Edmund Burke said is true: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
No one ever deserves to be raped, tortured, or murdered, especially for crimes they didn't commit. If whites in South Africa were really guilty of anything, then why not try them in a court of law? That's what civilized societies do. To rape, to torture, to murder, without reason is just revenge. It makes those who do it guilty of a far greater oppression than anything done under apartheid. If anyone has proof otherwise, then let's see it. (Threats against my life or my reputation simply tell me that I hit a bullseye.)
Not one person in South Africa who has accused me of a crime or criticized me has ever provided one shred of evidence to prove they are anything more than a Zuma troll. Credibility is the name of the game, and it's time that my accusers answered. Otherwise, I believe that every one of them is involved in selling out South Africa. How shameful.
I know plenty about what it's like to have your rights violated and be accused of crimes I didn't commit because some people care more about preserving their egos than they do saving lives. To demand rights and then violate the rights of others is just as much a crime. Those who do it won't see it that way because the selfish, self-serving psychopaths of the world never do.
South Africa is in trouble. For more of the 20th century, she was our ally, and her people sacrificed their lives right alongside the Americans. World War I, World War 2, Korea, and on the other side of the world during the Cold War. No Memorial Day is complete without a commemoration of their sacrifice for our freedom. To turn our backs on her at a time when she is in her greatest need is the biggest crime of all.
I won't wait for my critics to answer. When the chips are down, people like that always cut and run. If they won't stand and do what is right, then we don't need them anyway. Step up or step out. It's time to stop allowing the blind to lead the blind. Otherwise, we'll all end up in a ditch.
In the end, it's not about black or white. It's about whether not all are allowed to live free.
When offered intelligence from a foreign government, Donald Trump Jr. said ‘I love it.’ AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
To many, the revelation that Donald Trump Jr. was anxious to get dirt on Hillary Clinton from the Russians will not come as a surprise. It is but the latest example of the take-no-prisoners, anything-goes politics of our day. Sure, soliciting help from a hostile foreign power is exceptional, and it is certainly true that the Trumps have taken “unconventional” politics to new heights. But how we do politics in the United States, the boundaries of acceptable behavior, has been shifting for two decades.
The real surprise – the part of the story that we should be gravely concerned about – is that this disclosure will not matter to a great many American voters. After thinking and writing about politics for two decades, I have come to the conclusion that the real issue we face is not the conduct of public officials or their surrogates, but how nefarious acts are now sanctioned, and even applauded, by so many on both sides of the partisan fence.
So what’s changed in our politics?
Fear and loathing
For one, the nature of partisanship is different. Until about a decade ago, one’s attachment to a party was centered around policy disputes or cues from groups and associations. But today’s version is grounded in the fear and loathing of the other side. Trunkloads of data, much of it from the Pew Research Center, suggest each side sees the other party as crazy and certainly dangerous. So it does not matter what your side does so long as it keeps the nut jobs on the other side at bay.
A new volume by political scientists Christopher Achen and Larry Bartels further helps to fine-tune our understanding how people vote and which party they identify with. Their book, “Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government,” suggests “issue congruence [between voters and parties], in so far as it exists, is mostly a byproduct of other connections, most of them lacking policy content.” In other words, we don’t think through issues, policies and candidate characteristics, but instead see elections as “us versus them.” These scholars argue voters tie themselves with racial, ethnic, occupational, religious, recreational and other groups, with partisanship as the byproduct. Our group identity, not policy concerns or ideology, determines vote choice. That is to say, we gather comfortably with our tribe and tune out other points of view.
A central force propelling hostility toward the “other” party is the partisan media. Many such outlets have figured out a sustainable business model. Smaller audiences can be profitable, so long as they remain loyal. Loyalty springs from “crisis” and, of course, “menace.” This leads to treating every issue as a true threat to our existence or a usurpation of fundamental “rights.” The other party is always the villain, and your side can do no wrong – so long as it is for the grand struggle.
And then there is the online world. Voters rarely explore new ideas and perspectives, but share, like and retweet concordant ones. We fence in and we fence out. As recently noted by journalist and author Megan McArdle, “Social media, of course, makes this problem worse. Even if we are not deliberately blocking people who disagree with us, Facebook curates our feeds so that we get more of the stuff we ‘like.’ What do we ‘like’? People and posts that agree with us.”
Sorting and filtering
Is the filtering of information really a new development? It is not at all clear that voters have ever absorbed a broad range of information or shifted though competing evidence. It is likely party bosses, elected officials, candidates and even media elites have always been able to manipulate mass opinion to a degree. Cognitive time-saving cues, especially party identification, have always been used to sort and filter.
But something very different is happening today. In the recent past, news was more widely viewed as objective, leading to a high degree of accepted facts and authority. When the news media unraveled the story of Watergate, for example, citizens of all partisan stripes accepted it as fact. What scholars dubbed “short-term influences” could override partisan leanings.
Which leads us to “alternative facts,” the aggressive spinning of policies and arguments regardless of contrary verifiable information. This may be a game-changer in our politics. The barrier for evidence has, it seems, evaporated, and emotion-rich information is used to draw more viewers, readers and listeners. If we add the continual drive for fresh “news” and the high costs of creating traditional journalism, we are left with little consensus or authority. New York Times blogger Farhad Manjoo put it this way: “We are roiled by preconceptions and biases, and we usually do what feels easiest – we gorge on information that confirms our ideas, and we shun what does not.”
Finally, popular culture has also probably contributed to our growing indifference to nefarious acts. We pick our reality show contestant and applaud every backhanded, despicable move that gets him across the finish line. There can’t be two winners or a collective good, only a sole survivor. Or shall we say that only one apprentice can get the job? And the best part of the show – the segment that really gets the producers juiced – is when things get truly ugly.
Democratic accountability
The latest Trump team revelation is a shocker, but even more stunning is the meager impact it will likely have on his supporters. As noted in a recent USA Today story, in Trump country the Russia disclosure is no big deal.
As voters, citizens are called to judge those in power. But there must be an objective standard for the assessment, which is why the framers of the Constitution put so much stock in a free press. The governed in a democracy must be willing and able to fairly judge the acts of the governors. But today “your side” has always done a good job and the “other” party has always failed. Any contrary revelation can be explained away as fake news.
The key ingredient in the democratic accountability process – objectivity – is disappearing, and the foundation of our limited government has been shaken. In Federalist #51 and elsewhere, James Madison wrote, “A dependence upon the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government…” Many are starting to wonder if Americans are up to the job – and whether the fate of the grand experiment is at risk.
Pretoria –
The South African Police Service (SAPS) says the heightened approach to
safety and security at O R Tambo International Airport is already
yielding results.
SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale on Thursday said
the multi-disciplinary, interdepartmental approach was introduced this
week to root out criminals and criminality in the precinct of OR Tambo
airport.
Mogale said members of the Directorate for Priority Crime
Investigation (DPCI) and Customs officials at the cargo section of the
airport intercepted a consignment of hair products, including shampoo.
During the verification of the cargo, tests were conducted on the shampoo and a positive result for cocaine was achieved.
“The consignment, with an estimated weight of 200kg and an estimated
street value of R50 million, was seized. The consignment was destined
for Australia from Sao Paolo,” said Mogale.
No arrest was made in this regard but investigations are continuing.
Also on Thursday, members of the Gauteng Flying Squad on patrol along
the N3 in the Germiston area noticed a white VW Golf 7 GTI with KZN
registration plates.
Mogale said the vehicle was being driven recklessly at high speed on
the N3 North towards Pretoria. Members immediately gave chase and were
able to stop the suspicious vehicle.
“Upon searching the vehicle, the members found three unlicensed
firearms - an AK47 with ammunition in the magazine as well as additional
ammunition inside a bag, a R5 rifle with ammunition in the magazine, a
9mm pistol with ammunition as well as extra ammunition in a bag.”
Both occupants of the vehicle, aged 35 and 50 years, were arrested
and will appear in court on charges relating to the possession of
unlicensed firearms, ammunition and possibly a suspected stolen
vehicle.
“Investigations are continuing to determine if the suspects are linked to any other crimes,” said Mogale.
The suspects will appear at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court soon.
In another incident on the N12, between Jet Park and Kraft road off-ramps, police members picked up a suspicious white BMW.
The vehicle was stopped and the police discovered it had a false Free State registration number.
When the vehicle check was done, it was discovered that it was
hijacked in Norkem Park two months ago. Police also discovered two
unlicensed firearms with ammunition. The suspect was arrested.
Mogale said this multi-disciplinary intervention will continue. He commended the team on their commitment to fighting crime. - SAnews.gov.za
On Thursday 13 July 2017, four suspects were arrested in a crime
intelligence driven operation as part of an integrated effort to foil
“follow-home robberies” and other crimes in the area of the O R Tambo
International Airport (ORTIA) and surrounding clusters.
Last
night’s operation was conducted by a multi-disciplinary team from Head
Office Crime Intelligence, the Gauteng Provincial Trio Task Team and
other stakeholders and they notched up another victory against
criminality in the area.
The team received information regarding suspects allegedly involved in the recent spate of robberies.
During
patrols on the R24 and R21, a suspicious vehicle was identified and
followed at about 20h00. When the members attempted to stop the vehicle
the occupants fired on them.
The members returned fire and
disabled the vehicle causing it to come to a halt on the R21 North
outside the airport just before the Atlas Road off-ramp.
Four
suspects were arrested and three unlicensed firearms were recovered. The
suspects will appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court soon on
charges including attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms
and ammunition.
The investigations are continuing and there is a possibility that the suspects could be linked to other crimes.
These
arrests and seizure of firearms come shortly after three other
successes during which three suspects were arrested, five unlicensed
firearms recovered and a large consignment of drugs were recovered.
The
team’s integrated effort and commitment in arresting the suspects is
highly commended. The prevention and investigation of crime in and
around the airport remains a priority for this multi-disciplinary team.
The
safety and security of passengers and visitors to OR Tambo
International Airport and our communities remains of paramount
importance to all stakeholders involved, including the SAPS. This
multi-disciplinary intervention will continue.
Media enquiries: Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale Cell: 082 455 5782
Residents also claim their belongings were stolen during evictions
By Andrew Bennie
14 July 2017 Residents sit with their belongings after being evicted by the Red Ants. Photo: Andrew Bennie
On Tuesday, the Red Ant Security Relocation and Eviction
Services (commonly known as the Red Ants) evicted shack dwellers on the
border between Ivory Park and Tembisa township. Residents once again
accused the Red Ants of violence and theft of their cellphones and cash.
According to the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) about 700 “illegally erected” shacks were removed by the Red Ants.
The evictions targeted the site where a land occupation started in
late 2016, the area known as Dali Mpofu settlement in the Montsu
Section, Extension 5 of Tembisa, bordering on Section 7 of Ivory Park.
Residents say that they were not given prior warning that their
shacks were to be demolished. Many residents have been living in their
shacks on the occupied land for six months. The Red Ants arrived at
9am and gave them time to remove their belongings.
According to the metro police, it was tasked by the municipality to
attend to the evictions, together with public order police and the South
African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure safety and security. Metro
police said the evictions “went well because no casualties were
reported” and no arrests were made.
But residents say that some of them tried to defend their shacks, and
running battles between the Red Ants and occupiers broke out. One man
said that as the Red Ants were advancing, he got his two daughters to
run away while he stayed behind to defend the family’s shack. He says he
was shot with rubber bullets by the Red Ants and they also hit him with
a crowbar.
The man says the Red Ants then marched him towards one of their
trucks but he was “saved” by SAPS members who told the Red Ants to
release him.
He says in the end, the roof of his shack was removed, but not the walls.
GroundUp has seen a cellphone video that appears to show a Red Ant
carrying a firearm. Several people showed us their rubber bullet
injuries. The Red Ants have not responded despite our best attempts to
get comment since Wednesday, including three emails, two phone calls to
the organisation’s front desk and multiple calls to an employee’s cell
phone. We would have wanted to ask about the legality of Red Ant
employees using their firearms and the training they’ve received.
EMPD’s Media Liaison Officer, Khobeli Mokheseng, confirmed that the
Red Ants usually carry pump action rifles that fire rubber bullets when
they undertake evictions, due to the responses they often receive from
evictees. Section 7 of Ivory Park after the Red Ants demolished shacks bordering on Tembisa. Photo: Andrew Bennie
As with the previous eviction, residents again accused the Red Ants
of stealing cellphones and money. One resident said R1,400 was stolen,
another claimed that R650 was stolen.
Eye-witnesses said the Red Ants broke down the door of a backyard
room in a nearby RDP house (unrelated to occupations) and demanded
cellphones. They allegedly made off with three. They allegedly broke the
house’s only tap with a crowbar on their way out.
Metro police said anyone who had cellphones or money stolen by the Red Ants should open a case at the nearest police station.
Some residents who had removed their belongings found that their
shacks were not demolished, but they were afraid to move back in. At
sunset, people were still scattered across the settlement, sitting in
the open with their possessions. Some started to dismantle their shacks,
fearing the Red Ants would return.
Hours after the Red Ants had left, the anger of residents was
palpable. A man took a handful of bullets out of his pocket and said:
“When they [Red Ants] come back again, I’m going to shoot them. I’m
going to shoot them… Why do they destroy our properties? We have spent a
lot of money to do this and we are not working. This shit government,
I’m not scared of them.”
The Ekurhuleni Municipality confirmed that they did not acquire an
eviction order as they intervened within 48 hours of the shacks being
erected. However, some residents say that they have been living on the
land for three months, and others say they had been living there for
seven months, since the occupation first took place in late 2016.
In June, GroundUp reported on
a violent eviction by Red Ants of shack dwellers in the same area. The
evictions resulted in the death of Samuel Mabunda. GroundUp also
reported on other violent evictions conducted by the Red Ants in Bekezela, Newtown, where police found stolen goods hidden in the Red Ants’ vehicles.
After the death of Mabunda land activists in Ivory Park opened a case
with the Independent Police Investigations Department (IPID). IPID has
confirmed that it is busy with preliminary investigations to decide
whether to proceed with a full investigation.
Activists lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights
Commission (SAHRC) as well as with the Private Security Industry
Regulator of South Africa (PSIRA) regarding the role of the Red Ants.
Rights groups Amnesty International and the Right2Know campaign have
since offered their support after reading the GroundUp reports.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Is it legal for private security to fire rubber bullets?
We spoke to a researcher with expertise on this issue, but who wanted
to remain anonymous. He said that the Red Ants are “basically
assaulting people” and asked what gave them the legal authority to
assault people.
“They have as much permission as you’ve got,” he said. He referred to
a previous case where the Red Ants argued that they were protecting
themselves, something that they could try to argue in this case.
“I imagine its grey area in law but people if they are acting
lawfully then basically they do have the right to defend
themselves, preferably with less lethal means. The question is whether
there is an obligation to retreat.”
He also spoke of a recent death of two Red Ants in Hammanskraal,
which might have led to the Red Ants being regarded as “cannon fodder”.
He said that the use of rubber bullets may be a new development that the
company has taken following the deaths of two of their employees.
All this raises another question: Are Sheriffs of the Court using
private security to carry out evictions because police are too afraid
to, while the people hired by private security firms are desperate for
work and will therefore do it?
The key ingredient in the democratic accountability process – objectivity – is disappearing, and the foundation of our limited government has been shaken. In Federalist #51 and elsewhere, 
