Day: August 20, 2022

MOMBASA, KENYA —

Africa's migratory birds are threatened by changing weather patterns in the center and east of the continent that have depleted natural water systems and caused a devastating drought.

Hotter and drier conditions due to climate change make it difficult for traveling species who are losing their water sources and breeding grounds, with many now endangered or forced to alter their migration patterns entirely by settling in cooler northern areas.

Roughly 10% of Africa's more than 2,000 bird species, including dozens of migratory birds, are threatened, with 28 species — such as the Madagascar fish eagle, the Taita falcon and hooded vultures — classed as “critically endangered.” Over one-third of them are especially vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather, an analysis by the environmental group BirdLife International said.

“Birds are being affected by climate change just like any other species," BirdLife policy coordinator Ken Mwathe said. “Migratory birds are affected more than other groups of birds because they must keep on moving,” which makes it more likely that a site they rely on during their journey has degraded in some way.

The African-Eurasian flyway, the flight corridor for birds that travel south through the Mediterranean Sea and Sahara Desert for the winter, harbors over 2,600 sites for migrating birds. An estimated 87% of African sites are at risk from climate change, a greater proportion than in Europe or Asia, a study by the United Nations environment agency and conservation group Wetlands International found.

Africa is more vulnerable to climate change because it is less able to adapt, said Evans Mukolwe, a retired meteorologist and science director at the World Meteorological Organization.

“Poverty, biodiversity degradation, extreme weather events, lack of capital and access to new technologies" make it more difficult for the continent to protect habitats for wild species, Mukolwe said.

Hotter temperatures due to human-caused climate change and less rainfall shrink key wetland areas and water sources, which birds rely on during migratory journeys.

“Lake Chad is an example," Mwathe said. “Before birds cross the Sahara, they stop by Lake Chad, and then move to the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. But Lake Chad has been shrinking over the years," which compromises its ability to support birds, he said.

Parched birds mean tougher journeys, which has an impact on their ability to breed, said Paul Matiku, executive director of Nature Kenya.

Flamingoes, for example, which normally breed in Lake Natron in Tanzania are unlikely to be able to “if the migration journey is too rough," Matiku said.

He added that “not having water in those wetlands means breeding will not take place" since flamingoes need water to create mud nests that keep their eggs away from the intense heat of dry ground.

Non-migratory birds are also struggling with the changing climate. African fish eagles, found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, are now forced to travel farther in search of food. The number of South African Cape Rockjumpers and Protea canaries is severely declining.

Bird species living in the hottest and driest areas, like in the Kalahari Desert that spans Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, are approaching their “physiological limits,” the most recent assessment by the U.N.’s expert climate panel said. It added that birds are less able to find food and are losing body mass, causing large-scale deaths for those living in extreme heat.

“Forest habitats get hotter with climate change and ... dryland habitats get drier and savannah birds lack food because grass never seeds, flowers never fruit, and insects never emerge as they do when it rains,” Matiku said.

Other threats, such as the illegal wildlife trade, agriculture, the growth of urban areas and pollution are also stunting bird populations like African fish eagles and vultures, he said.

Better land management projects that help restore degraded wetlands and forests and protect areas from infrastructure, poaching or logging will help preserve the most vulnerable species, the U.N. environmental agency said.

Birds and other species would benefit from concerted efforts to improve water access and food security, especially as sea levels rise and extreme weather events are set to continue, said Amos Makarau, the Africa regional director of the U.N. weather agency.

Scientists say that curbing emissions of planet-warming gases, especially in high-emitting nations, could also limit future weather-related catastrophes.

Source: Voice of America

NELSPRUIT - A 38-year-old father is expected to spend the next 22 years behind bars for raping and impregnating his 17-year-old biological daughter at Mahushu outside Hazyview in March 2019.

The victim was invited to her grandparent's place where they resided with her biological father, under false pretence to perform rituals.

On her arrival, her father was not home, but her grandmother contacted him and on his arrival, this man never brought anything for the rituals. The victim then demanded to go back home as it was already late. He then offered to accompany her home, knowing very well that he had orchestrated an evil plan against his own daughter. At around 22h00 along the way, next to Mahushu graveside, the victim was instructed at gunpoint by this evil man to undress then he raped her. He further warned her not to tell anyone about the ordeal.

A month later (in April 2019) the victim found out that she was pregnant, but even then she never opened up to anyone. In August 2019 she finally broke her silence about what transpired to her on that dreadful night.

The matter was then brought to the attention of the police and a rape case was opened. The team of members from Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) were assigned to investigate the case. These experts later arrested the suspect on 30 August 2019. He was then charged accordingly. He appeared in court where bail was successfully opposed by the state. The accused remained in custody throughout the trial until he was sentenced at the Nelspruit Regional Court on 11 August 2022.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the sentence and appreciated the work done by the team of Detectives, the Prosecution team and the Judiciary. "We hope that the sentence will serve as a deterrence to those who think they can ruthlessly treat their children without any consequences" said the General.

Source: South African Police Service

CAPE TOWN - Determined to bring law and order to crime affected areas, members of Operation Restore were deployed in Mfuleni late last night when they spotted vehicles on an open field near Blue Downs stadium under suspicious circumstances. The members approached the vehicles which turned out to be tow trucks, and conducted a routine search. This search led to the discovery of two SAPS hand radios which were stolen from Kleinvlei police station. Two suspects aged 24 and 37 were arrested for the possession of stolen property, and detained until their court appearance in Blue Downs on Monday.

Meanwhile members attached to Moorreesburg police station conducted a drug operation in pursuit of a highflyer in the area and arrested a 41 year old male last night for the possession of tik and mandrax as well as R2,415-00 cash, believed to be the proceeds of drug trafficking. The suspect is scheduled to make his court appearance in Moorreessburg on Monday.

Source: South African Police Service

On Friday, 19 August 2022 at 08:30 members of the South African Police Services in the Kimberley joined forces with Sol Plaatje Traffic Department and the Northern Cape Liquor Board in Operation Vhuthu Hawe in and around the city.

The operation commenced with a parade conducted by the operational commander, Colonel Nicholas Mtongana and was led by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Corporate Services, Major General Henriette de Waal.

Major General De Waal addressed the members on parade and encouraged them to remain focused during Women's month.

A vehicle checkpoint was conducted at the corner of Lennox and Chappel Streets where 10 Traffic Fines were issued to motorists amounting to R10 000-00 during which 372 vehicles were stopped and searched.

The operation saw heightened police visibility and crime prevention actions in the Central Business District area during which 246 persons were randomly stopped and searched. The SAPS will continue to serve the citizens and ensure law and order is maintained in the community.

Source: South African Police Service

UPINGTON - Vhuthu Hawe operations yielded great successes in the Rosedale area on Friday, 19 August 2022 when members of Upington K9 Unit and Border police successfully confiscated drugs, liquor and cash.

The members searched different premises and arrested four persons aged 22, 25, 30 and 34 respectively for dealing in drugs and selling liquor without a license.

The total amount attached to the exhibits confiscated is estimated at R67 700.00.

The Acting District Commissioner of ZF Mgcawu District, Colonel Peet Coetzee commended the members for the success and warned against drug dealing and illegal trading in liquor. Police will continue unabatedly to squeeze the space for criminals to operate.

Source: South African Police Service