South Africa has a 50 year history of producing highly skilled, mostly white mercenaries. 'Humanitarian Gestures' like the Presidential Pardon just granted in Equatorial Guinea are almost always covert political deals designed to enrich the power brokers involved. Simon Mann and the South African mercenary leaders had been jailed for 34 years each for their role in the plot.
In theory the 4 South Africans should be prosecuted when they arrive here as arranging mercenary activity here was made illegal in 1998 under the Foreign Assistance Military Act,. Our government's policy is "30 Aug 2006 ... Mosiuoa Lekota, the defence minister, said the law would keep mercenaries from subverting democracy in Africa”.
Looking at the TV visuals of this sad looking, slack shouldered motley old crew it's obvious that the macho, Ramboesque image of the mercenary is pure fiction
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
EX- SA Top Cop on trial
Interpol secretary-general Ronald Noble on Wednesday criticised the slow prosecution of former South African police chief Jackie Selebi.
"I've never seen happening what is happening in South Africa," Noble told reporters at a Southern African Police Conference in Johannesburg.He said he did not understand why it was taking so long to prosecute Selebi, who is accused of corruption."If they have a case against him, charge him... give him the dignity he deserves."Mr Selebi is an honourable man," said Noble.
He said accusing a head of any police organisation was "a serious charge"."I sure hope that South Africa is still a country where people are innocent until proven guilty," said Noble.
Selebi took special leave in 2007, when it emerged he was about to be charged with alleged corruption relating to his relationship with convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti.Agliotti was also a co-accused in the murder of mining magnate Brett Kebble, whose funds were allegedly used to pay Selebi.Selebi faced two charges of corruption and one of defeating the ends of justice.
He made his first court appearance in February last year without arrest, and his actual trial had been delayed by various applications and counter-applications relating to the investigation against him.
His trial was supposed to have started in April this year, but at his last court appearance in Johannesburg in May, he was angered by the delays.The corruption trial was postponed to October 5.
Selebi served as Interpol president from 2004 until January 12, 2008. He resigned after being suspended as police commissioner over the corruption allegations.
"I've never seen happening what is happening in South Africa," Noble told reporters at a Southern African Police Conference in Johannesburg.He said he did not understand why it was taking so long to prosecute Selebi, who is accused of corruption."If they have a case against him, charge him... give him the dignity he deserves."Mr Selebi is an honourable man," said Noble.
He said accusing a head of any police organisation was "a serious charge"."I sure hope that South Africa is still a country where people are innocent until proven guilty," said Noble.
Selebi took special leave in 2007, when it emerged he was about to be charged with alleged corruption relating to his relationship with convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti.Agliotti was also a co-accused in the murder of mining magnate Brett Kebble, whose funds were allegedly used to pay Selebi.Selebi faced two charges of corruption and one of defeating the ends of justice.
He made his first court appearance in February last year without arrest, and his actual trial had been delayed by various applications and counter-applications relating to the investigation against him.
His trial was supposed to have started in April this year, but at his last court appearance in Johannesburg in May, he was angered by the delays.The corruption trial was postponed to October 5.
Selebi served as Interpol president from 2004 until January 12, 2008. He resigned after being suspended as police commissioner over the corruption allegations.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Soccer World Cup Ticket Fraud
2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup tickets are being used by 'phishing' scams to try to get banking and other personal details out of people.
The scam has recently emerged and is being tied into the South African Airways 75th anniversary celebrations.
The scammers are eMailing and Tweeting people with the news that they have won free tickets and even accomodation and travel.
The scam has recently emerged and is being tied into the South African Airways 75th anniversary celebrations.
The scammers are eMailing and Tweeting people with the news that they have won free tickets and even accomodation and travel.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Impotent taxi drivers try to stop new public transport system
The R 3 billion ( US$ 400 million) City of Johannesburg Johannesburg Bus Rapid Transit system (http://www.reavaya.org.za/home) - branded ‘Rea Vaya’ - is one week old today and it seems to have had very few teething troubles.
This is really good news and augres well for our 2010 Soccer World cup readiness.
Our kombi/mini-bus taxi operators thumped their chests impotently and threatened strikes, law suits and even violence to try to stop this new competition from “taking our jobs” but at the end of the day the people spoke and won - by filling all the seats on the busses and asking for more.
Sadly two commuters were slightly injured when the occupants of a Toyota Quantum minibus shot at one of the new busses last Tuesday. This is the worst type of serious cowardly criminal action and should be dealt with harshly by the law.
And related to this issue, police are still trying to determine the motive behind the killing of the South African National Taxi Council’s deputy president, Mthuthuzeli Molefe, who was gunned down at his home in the south of Johannesburg on Friday night.Initial reports indicate that the murder was not linked to Rea Vaya but SANTACO’s Phillip Taaibosch says his murder could be politically motivated.
This is really good news and augres well for our 2010 Soccer World cup readiness.
Our kombi/mini-bus taxi operators thumped their chests impotently and threatened strikes, law suits and even violence to try to stop this new competition from “taking our jobs” but at the end of the day the people spoke and won - by filling all the seats on the busses and asking for more.
Sadly two commuters were slightly injured when the occupants of a Toyota Quantum minibus shot at one of the new busses last Tuesday. This is the worst type of serious cowardly criminal action and should be dealt with harshly by the law.
And related to this issue, police are still trying to determine the motive behind the killing of the South African National Taxi Council’s deputy president, Mthuthuzeli Molefe, who was gunned down at his home in the south of Johannesburg on Friday night.Initial reports indicate that the murder was not linked to Rea Vaya but SANTACO’s Phillip Taaibosch says his murder could be politically motivated.
Monday, August 17, 2009
2010 World Cup security chaos
Questions must be raised asked about South Africa's security readiness for the 2010 FIFA World Cup after the unexpected resignation of security manager Wally Rhoode.
Rhoode, an Umkhonto weSizwe ('Spear Of The Nation' - the ANC insurgents during the apartheid era) veteran and former head of security at the National Prosecuting Authority, left on 1 August to pursue family business interests.
But the obvious question it is: Did he quit before he was fired after the fiasco with the appointment of security providers for the Confederations Cup in June?
Rhoode, an Umkhonto weSizwe ('Spear Of The Nation' - the ANC insurgents during the apartheid era) veteran and former head of security at the National Prosecuting Authority, left on 1 August to pursue family business interests.
But the obvious question it is: Did he quit before he was fired after the fiasco with the appointment of security providers for the Confederations Cup in June?
Increase in shopping centre robberies
Cowardly violent criminals between Pretoria and Johannesburg have targeted at least eight malls during shopping hours this week alone leaving three people dead, eight injured and twelve suspects arrested.
The Consumer Goods Council is investigating why violent robberies increase between July and August every year.The Council’s Michael Broughton says “This year’s July comes out at 29, so we expecting a bad August as well.” Malls in Centurion, Midrand, Gallor Manor, Killarney, Alberton, Johannesburg south, Lenasia and Pretoria north have seen violent robberies in just the last week.
Business Against Crime has urged customers not to panic. Security patrols have been intensified in various shopping centres across the country and the SAPS have agreed to increase their focus on protection of shopping centres.
The Consumer Goods Council is investigating why violent robberies increase between July and August every year.The Council’s Michael Broughton says “This year’s July comes out at 29, so we expecting a bad August as well.” Malls in Centurion, Midrand, Gallor Manor, Killarney, Alberton, Johannesburg south, Lenasia and Pretoria north have seen violent robberies in just the last week.
Business Against Crime has urged customers not to panic. Security patrols have been intensified in various shopping centres across the country and the SAPS have agreed to increase their focus on protection of shopping centres.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Is Knowledge A Right Or A Privilege?
South Africa's new Police Commissioner, Bheki Cele, stated this week that he would support reintroducing a moratorium on the release of crime statistics, which until 1999 were published quarterly but at present are only released annually although the police compile the figures monthly. Current legislation does not speak directly to the availability of crime statistics and for the past decade the on-off nature of their release has been a matter of policy. In 1997 the then Minister of Safety and Security, Sydney Mufamadi, appointed a ministerial committee of inquiry to look into the gathering of crime statistics.
The committee found problems relating to: the recording of exact crime locations; crime classification (which has been resolved by the introductionof a new system in about 2002); and updating police data with the outcome of the case once it had been through the court system. Importantly, the committee found the routine and widespread public scepticism about crime levels were UNFOUNDED, and it suggested informationbe released more regularly. A current on-line survey by the DA shows that 71% of respondents (sample size not given) would like to see monthly statistics. Our high crime rate is rightly a source of shame for the country and is often brought up in discussions about the 2010 FIFA World Cup.Most people in SA accept that they have to protect themselves. To do so we can chose from a wide range of security products and services, with private security apart of many households' budgets and essential for any business. But generally we do not know which suburbs are suffering what types of crimes, often resulting in inaccurate and alarmist 'urban legends'. A look at the most recent official statistics show a drop in many areas of crime (seehttp://www.saps.gov.za, under documents). Property crimes, such as theft of motor vehicles or house-breakings often follow patterns and knowledge of these trends may help the public to protect themselves and be more observant.
Local newspapers, especially those available or summarised on-line can increase public awareness, as does the SAPS's own weekly 'PoliceFile' TV program. However, residents who wish to follow crime trends can often obtain exact monthly and year-on-year statistics from their local station by attending their Community Policing Forum meetings, although this is at the discretion of the Station Commissioner.
The committee found problems relating to: the recording of exact crime locations; crime classification (which has been resolved by the introductionof a new system in about 2002); and updating police data with the outcome of the case once it had been through the court system. Importantly, the committee found the routine and widespread public scepticism about crime levels were UNFOUNDED, and it suggested informationbe released more regularly. A current on-line survey by the DA shows that 71% of respondents (sample size not given) would like to see monthly statistics. Our high crime rate is rightly a source of shame for the country and is often brought up in discussions about the 2010 FIFA World Cup.Most people in SA accept that they have to protect themselves. To do so we can chose from a wide range of security products and services, with private security apart of many households' budgets and essential for any business. But generally we do not know which suburbs are suffering what types of crimes, often resulting in inaccurate and alarmist 'urban legends'. A look at the most recent official statistics show a drop in many areas of crime (seehttp://www.saps.gov.za, under documents). Property crimes, such as theft of motor vehicles or house-breakings often follow patterns and knowledge of these trends may help the public to protect themselves and be more observant.
Local newspapers, especially those available or summarised on-line can increase public awareness, as does the SAPS's own weekly 'PoliceFile' TV program. However, residents who wish to follow crime trends can often obtain exact monthly and year-on-year statistics from their local station by attending their Community Policing Forum meetings, although this is at the discretion of the Station Commissioner.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Stopped by a crooked cop?
Save this number to your speed dial : 0822360003. This is a 'voice to email number'. Try it out - it's free. What it does is record your conversation with the cops without them knowing. As you are being stopped, hit your speed dial put your phone in your top pocket or somewhere close to your window. When asked for 'cool drink money' or anther bribe string him along. Do not give him a cent. Ask him a few questions which will identify him. Say, "Is that your car you're driving, the RTY 245 GP Toyota etc. Then ask him if he always works at Main and Witkoppen. Ask him for his name and service number, ask him why he is not wearing his name tab, etc. This will be recorded and it will be sent to eblockwatch's server. The email will be sent to you if you are registered on www.eblockwatch.co.za network. All this is free. No hidden costs in the calls, just normal cellphone rates.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
South Africa's new Police Commissioner
The colourful KwaZulu-Natal Community Safety MEC Bheki Cele is South Africa's new Police Commissioner. The announcement of his appointment was made by President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday. Cele will replace Jackie Selebi who has been on paid leave since last year while a criminal court case is pending against him.
Earlier this year President Zuma closed down the independent DoJ 'Scorpions' unit which had investigated and charged him for corruption in the controversial 'National Arms Deal' and created a new unit, the 'Hawks' which reports to the Police Commissioner.
Cele is one of Zuma's closest allies, dating back to 1984 when they went into exile for military training, which means that if the corruption cases are to be reopened against Mr Zuma Mr Cele will be the final voice in deciding on any course of action.
Hopefully Commissioner Cele will take a hard line on all crime.
Earlier this year President Zuma closed down the independent DoJ 'Scorpions' unit which had investigated and charged him for corruption in the controversial 'National Arms Deal' and created a new unit, the 'Hawks' which reports to the Police Commissioner.
Cele is one of Zuma's closest allies, dating back to 1984 when they went into exile for military training, which means that if the corruption cases are to be reopened against Mr Zuma Mr Cele will be the final voice in deciding on any course of action.
Hopefully Commissioner Cele will take a hard line on all crime.
How to beat 'phone and Instant Message snoops
Reuters reports that 'Russia's most powerful business lobby moved to clampdown on Skype and its peers this week, telling lawmakers that theInternet phone services are a threat to Russian businesses and to nationalsecurity.'The lobby, closely associated with Putin's political party, cites concernsof 'a likely and uncontrolled fall in profits for the core telecomoperators,' as well as a fear that law enforcement agencies have thus farbeen unable to listen in on Skype conversations due to its 256-bitencryption.
This means that our home-grown snoops probably can't too.
This means that our home-grown snoops probably can't too.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Police to shut down ID number check facility
Police to shut down ID number check facility
We hear that the SA Police Service have decided to shut down the Criminal Record Center ID number check facility. If it’s true this will be another victory for criminals and government inefficiency.
The existing system is used by police in the field and by authorised private agencies to check if a person has a criminal record by just submitting their SA ID number, allowing almost instant detection of suspects - even if they are not physically present.
Now these records will only be released with fingerprints submitted electronically to the Automated Fingerprint Identification System. This is going to make the procedure more difficult and cumbersome locally and nearly impossible for persons overseas.
And the reason for this progress-reversing policy: our ID system is so corrupt and inept that it cannot be trusted… Thank You Department of Home Affairs!
We hear that the SA Police Service have decided to shut down the Criminal Record Center ID number check facility. If it’s true this will be another victory for criminals and government inefficiency.
The existing system is used by police in the field and by authorised private agencies to check if a person has a criminal record by just submitting their SA ID number, allowing almost instant detection of suspects - even if they are not physically present.
Now these records will only be released with fingerprints submitted electronically to the Automated Fingerprint Identification System. This is going to make the procedure more difficult and cumbersome locally and nearly impossible for persons overseas.
And the reason for this progress-reversing policy: our ID system is so corrupt and inept that it cannot be trusted… Thank You Department of Home Affairs!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Security for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
Security for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
The South African Police Service have expressed satisfaction with the Confederations Cup after the World Cup curtain-raiser ended with no major breach of security. Petty theft formed most of the just 39 cases reported, deputy police commissioner Andre Pruis told journalists after the two week, four city/stadium event wrapped up.The Times reports that Pruis said the event’s joint security team is ‘satisfied that years of planning and preparations resulted in a tournament during which no major security breach occurred…we will build on lessons learned and expand on best practices to assist FIFA and the LOC in presenting the best World Cup ever in 2010.’
The South African Police Service have expressed satisfaction with the Confederations Cup after the World Cup curtain-raiser ended with no major breach of security. Petty theft formed most of the just 39 cases reported, deputy police commissioner Andre Pruis told journalists after the two week, four city/stadium event wrapped up.The Times reports that Pruis said the event’s joint security team is ‘satisfied that years of planning and preparations resulted in a tournament during which no major security breach occurred…we will build on lessons learned and expand on best practices to assist FIFA and the LOC in presenting the best World Cup ever in 2010.’
Sunday, July 19, 2009
No significant security breach during Confederation Cup
No major security breach during Confederation Cup
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Can we really be THAT bad?
Our own statistics tell us that South Africa has the highest peace-time murder and rape levels in the world.
So how come life here is so good?
Today is Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday and it's being celebrated around the world partly because he's the most recognised symbol of reconsiliation in our times.
But many of our people - black and white - live in fear of their lives because of a small but evil element.
In this blog I hope we can discss the issues that created not only our bad situation but look for solutions and hope.
In particular I want to give overseas visitors comfort that they are coming to a warm and safe country and give them tips that will make them less vulnerable to the few who have destroyed our reputation.
Andy Grudko
www.grudko.com
So how come life here is so good?
Today is Nelson Mandela's 91st birthday and it's being celebrated around the world partly because he's the most recognised symbol of reconsiliation in our times.
But many of our people - black and white - live in fear of their lives because of a small but evil element.
In this blog I hope we can discss the issues that created not only our bad situation but look for solutions and hope.
In particular I want to give overseas visitors comfort that they are coming to a warm and safe country and give them tips that will make them less vulnerable to the few who have destroyed our reputation.
Andy Grudko
www.grudko.com
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