Day: September 3, 2022

WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

FLOODS KILLED OVER 250 PEOPLE

Across 17 countries in West and Central Africa, as of 16 August, heavy rainfall and floods killed over 250 people, injured many others, destroyed some 35,000 houses, leaving 126,000 people homeless and displacing over 125,000 people. More rain expected in the region until October. Rains and floods are severely impacting the Republic of Congo, Chad, Liberia, Nigeria, Niger, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Mauritania, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso. Additional shocks of extreme weather events have pushed vulnerable families deep into crisis. Many of the affected regions were already struggling with high levels of food insecurity, malnutrition, instability, and violence. Floods have impacted hygiene and sanitation conditions and increased the incidence of water-borne diseases. Moreover, floods increased displacement into overcrowded settlement camps, where diseases spread easily. More recent information and figures on floods and their impacts on the region will be published soon.

SIERRA LEONE

TORRENTIAL RAINS AND FLOODS KILLED 6

On 28 August, Torrential rains caused floods and landslides across parts of the capital Freetown, killed at least 6 people, displaced others, and destroyed properties. About 122 households, 55 houses and 9 public structures were affected. The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) provided food and non-food items to 1,011 people affected by fire and windstorm in various towns and villages in Kenema and Kailahun Districts, Eastern Region. This is the second spate of heavy rain in Freetown in the last 2 weeks. Areas of Freetown including Culvert and Kroo Bay were flooded after a heavy downpour that started on 17 August.

MAURITANIA

HEAVY RAINFALL AND FLOODS KILL 14, DESTROY OVER 3,800 HOUSES

Since late July, heavy rainfall and floods have killed at least 14 persons across several regions of Mauritania, most of them are children, affected about 29,000 persons, destroyed 3,817 houses, and damaged many others. The most affected areas include south-central Tagat region, and Assaba and Hodh El Gharbi regions in the south. Rains and floods have also destroyed crops and killed hundreds of livestock. Food stocks were also damaged. Some roads were cut off for several days. Telecommunication and electricity services were also interrupted. Access to drinking water has become inaccessible for many families in affected areas. Heavy rain fall continued in August with several areas recording 100mm of rain within hours. Humanitarian organizations in including Red Crescent Society mobilized to provide aid to affected people.

CAMEROON

FLOODS KILLED FIVE PEOPLE IN THE FAR NORTH

On 15 and 16 August, heavy rains and floods in the Mayo-Danay division in the Far-North province and Logone et Chari in the extreme north province killed at least five people, injured many others, and affected about 6,000 people. Humanitarian organizations mobilized to provide immediate support.

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Gqeberha: SAPS Bethelsdorp detectives are urgently seeking community assistance in tracing the next of kin of an unidentified woman who was found in a storm water drain on Wednesday, 31 August 2022.

It is alleged that at about 17:50, municipal workers were working in the area of Kwanoxolo clearing blockages in storm water drains when they came across the body of an unknown female found inside the drain at the back of Nompumelelo Street. The woman is believed to be a coloured female between the ages of 20-30 years old. She had no visible injuries and her body was already in a state of decomposition. She was naked when found.

The deceased had several tattoos on her foot, arm and back. On her right foot, she had several sizes of hearts and her left forearm sported a bible with a cross and a crown above it. On her back the name VELENCIA RIP followed by the name/word PAILO written

At this stage police have opened an inquest pending the post mortem report.

Anyone who can assist SAPS Bethelsdorp in their investigation or may know of a female that has been missing for a while or may be able to identify the deceased woman through the tattoos, is urgently asked to contact D/Sgt Attie Knoetze on 084 660 8003 or 041 404 3064 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the nearest police station or by using MySAPS app.

Source: South African Police Service

LEBOWAKGOMO: The police are investigating a case of a missing person after a 26-year-old man, Kwena Mokoka from Mafefe went missing on 30 July 2022.

Allegedly, on the said day at about 18:00, he received a call and he went outside and never came back. After 30 minutes his family members looked for him and also tried to call but he was not reachable. He has since disappeared.

He was last seen wearing black and white tekkies (Lacosta), black jean and black jersey.

Anyone with information that can help to locate the missing man is requested to contact the investigating officer Warrant Officer Pila from Provincial Detective on 082 759 5001 or 015 306 2111 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or the nearest police station or by using MySAPS app.

Police investigations continue.

Source: South African Police Service

Gqeberha: SAPS New Brighton are seeking the community’s assistance in tracing a 31-year-old man who went missing on Friday, 17 June 2022.

It is alleged that on the mentioned date, at approximately 23:30 Mcebisi Blouw went to sleep in his shack that is at the back of his family home in Noxolo Street, New Brighton. Later the following morning when he did not come into the house, his sister went to look for him because he did not usually sleep late on the weekend. Mr Blouw was not in his shack. His sister followed up with family and friends which he frequently visited but were unable to trace him. On 21 June 2022 his sister reported him missing at SAPS New Brighton. All efforts to locate him by the investigating officer have proven futile.

Police are appealing to anyone who can assist in tracing Mcebisi Blouw to urgently contact SAPS New Brighton D/Sgt Phakamile Mndaweni on 076 771 6444 / 082 442 0964 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or their nearest police station or by using MySAPS app. All information is strictly confidential and callers have the right to remain anonymous.

Source: South African Police Service

A 34-year-old man is expected to appear in court soon on a charge of dealing in drugs. This follows after the members received a tip-off from the community about a suspect who is suspected to be dealing with drugs in Rosedale.

The members raided the house of the suspect today, 03 September 2022 and upon searching they found Tik and mandrax with an estimated street value of R179 000, 00.

An undisclosed amount of cash suspected to be the proceeds of the dealings was also confiscated.

The Acting District Commissioner of ZF Mgcawu, Colonel Peet Coetzee applauded the members' commendable work.

Source: South African Police Service

Cullinan police arrested three suspects for contravening the Explosives Act 15 of 2003. This act provides that no person may possess explosives or carry out any activity relating to explosives (manufacture, dealing, importation, exportation, and packaging) unless he or she holds a license, permit, or authorisation issued in terms of 20 of this Act.

The police, during their crime prevention duties, swiftly reacted on information about suspects who were reported to be on their way to bomb an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Refilwe and managed to effect an arrest of three males with the bag of explosives inside their vehicle.

The acting Station Commander, Captain Gertzen applauded members who put the community's safety first and encourage them to perform their duties without fear or favour. The trio is expected to appear at Cullinan Magistrates’ Court soon.

Source: South African Police Service