Day: June 4, 2022

ACCRA, GHANA —

West African leaders Saturday failed to agree what action to take against military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, postponing a decision for a month, insiders at the meeting said.

They decided to wait until the next ECOWAS summit July 3, a senior source in the Ghanian presidency told AFP, asking to remain anonymous.

Another source said the leaders had not been able to agree, "particularly over Mali."

The summit in Ghana's capital Accra had been billed as the forum to agree whether to ease or ramp up sanctions against the three junta-ruled nations facing jihadi insurgencies.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had met in a bid to rule whether to keep, lighten or lift retaliatory measures on Mali, imposed in January after its military regime announced plans to stay in power for another five years.

Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo opened the summit, attended by the heads of state of most of the 15-member countries but without any representative from Mali, Burkina Faso or Guinea visible in the audience.

"This present summit will reexamine and assess the situations in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso in light of recent developments within the region and global context," he said.

"Our objective has always been to find ways to help these countries return to constitutional order."

Guinea, Burkina Faso and Mali are currently suspended from ECOWAS bodies.

While Mali has already been slapped with sanctions, the other two countries risk further punitive measures from the bloc after ruling juntas in their respective capitals vowed to hold on to power for another three years.

West Africa has seen a succession of military coups in less than two years — two in Bamako, followed by Conakry in September 2021 and Ouagadougou in January.

Insurgency

ECOWAS, keen to limit political instability spreading further, has held summits and tried to pile on pressure to shorten the juntas' so-called transition periods before a return to civilian rule.

But strongmen Colonel Assimi Goita in Mali, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya in Guinea and Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba in Burkina Faso, have all resisted that pressure and since been sworn in as presidents.

They invoke the severity of domestic crises — that span jihadi insurgencies to social problems — and claim they need time to rebuild their states and organize elections.

A U.N. report published last week said the West African sanctions had contributed to worsening living conditions, particularly for the poor.

One of the most volatile and impoverished countries in the world, Mali is battling a decade-old jihadi revolt, which began with a regional insurrection and then spread to Niger and Burkina Faso.

ECOWAS closed borders and suspended trade and financial exchanges, except for necessities.

In Guinea, the military overthrew President Alpha Conde in September and has vowed a return to civilian rule in three years.

Burkina Faso's government was overthrown in January, when disgruntled colonels ousted President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

Source: Voice of America

On 3 June 2022 at 08:20, a security official observed suspicious activity at an ATM in Roseneath, Umkomaas. Two ladies and a man were observed acting suspicious at the ATM and the official decided to join the que to monitor them. The suspects were observed with numerous Sassa cards and bank cards that they were using to withdraw cash.

They realised that they were being observed and they fled in their vehicle. Police officers from Umkomaas SAPS were contacted and the vehicle was monitored. The suspects moved to another ATM and the vehicle was spotted in the parking lot. The suspects were spotted withdrawing and transferring money at the ATM. As they returned to their vehicle, police were waiting for them.

Three suspects aged between 25 and 45 were found with 50 Sassa cards, 20 Easy pay cards and R34 000-00 cash. It was established that the suspects had transferred R360 000-00 into a private bank account. All three suspects were placed under arrest for possession of stolen property. More charges are expected to be added. They are expected to appear before the Scottsburgh Magistrates Court on Monday, 6 June 2022.

Source: South African Police Service

The management of the South African Police Service in the Western Cape, acted upon the crime pattern analysis in the area of Manenberg and strategically deployed the Anti-Gang Unit in the area to combat crime and to take unlicensed and prohibited firearms and ammunition off the streets on Friday (202-06-03).

Committed police members went the extra mile to protect the community when they conducted foot patrols in the hotspot of gang violence. Upon approaching Rio Grande, they noticed an unknown man who tried to evade them. The police members gave chase and apprehended the man and searched him. They confiscated firearm with ammunition. The 36-year-old male was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition. A 19-year-old man was arrested as he interfered with the police investigation whilst the suspect was detained and under police guard in the patrol vehicle.

Meanwhile members in Kathleen court noticed a man who appeared to be very nervous. When they approached him, he started to run with police in pursuit. The suspect ran into a nearby house where he was caught by the police officers. The suspect was found in possession of a firearm with ammunition. The 19-year-old man was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.

An intelligence driven operation led the members to an address in Gamtoos Street, where they arrested a 22-year-old man on a charge of attempted murder.

As gang members became terrified with the presence of the Anti-Gang unit members, some fled the area leaving behind their weapons on an open field. The police members confiscated two zip guns found abandoned.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisele Patekile lauded the members of the Anti-Gang unit for continuing to eradicate the possession of unlicensed and prohibited firearms and ammunition in Manenberg, an area that is notorious for gang violence on a daily basis.

Source: South African Police Service

Kuilsriver Police are seeking the assistance of the public to trace 49 year old Wesley Raymond Van Wyk of 12 Iris Street in Sarepta, Kuilsriver, who was last seen leaving his home on 12 May 2022.

At the time of his disappearance he was last seen wearing a grey jeans, a khaki coloured top, a blue cap and black Adidas takkies.

Anyone who can assist with information that will lead to Wesley’s safe return, is kindly requested to contact the investigating officer Sergeant Andries Binedell on 079 894 1561 or alternatively call Crime Stop on 08600 10111

Wesley’s photograph is herewith attached for publication purposes

Source: South African Police Service

Four males will get their day in court after they were arrested and detained in isolated incidents on Friday (2022-06-03) whilst being in possession of an unlicensed firearm, ammunition and drugs.

Elsies River police members responded to complaints of a shooting incident. Upon approaching Doonside court in Avonwood, they spotted a man running with a firearm in his hand, and the police members gave chase. The 45-year-old man was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

In an unrelated incident, members of the Provincial Extortion Task Team led an intelligence driven operation relating to drugs hidden close to a dog kennel at a residence in Diazville in Saldanha. Upon arrival in Geelbekkie Street, they secured the premises and searched the entire area. A consignment of drugs with an estimated street value of R35 000 and cash was confiscated. Two males, both aged 55, was arrested and detained on a charge of dealing in drugs.

Meanwhile members of Operation Restore pursued information of the storage of drugs at a premises in Heinz Park. Upon arrival at the identified address in Aster Street, they searched the area and confiscated drugs with an estimated street value of R10 000. A 19-year-old man has been arrested and detained on a charge of dealing in drugs.

Once charged, the suspects are expected to make their respective court appearances in the Goodwood, Vredenburg and Athlone Magistrates courts on the mentioned charges.

Source: South African Police Service