Cape Town blames justice system for crime persistence
The City of Cape Town has denied allegations that it is unable to curb crime, blaming the issue on failings in the criminal justice system, reports SABC news. The city has allocated a record-breaking R6.8 billion to its Safety and Security Directorate for the financial year 2026/27. Despite the deployment of the National Defense Force, violence continues on the Cape Flats. Safety and security MMC JP Smith has said that, “Despite the whole of society intervention that the municipality is doing and is currently busy expediting, we have a special task force that is just looking at that intervention.”
Two drug busts in OR Tambo in 24 hours
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Two high-value drug smuggling attempts have been foiled within 24 hours at OR Tambo International Airport, police say, raising concerns over security at the country's busiest airport, reports EWN. In the first incident, a Brazilian national was caught with cocaine worth approximately R8.7 million. Later, a Dutch national was arrested after he was allegedly found with 60 kilograms of khat in his luggage while preparing to fly to London. Police said the successive arrests point to a variety of drug patterns and various international routes increasingly being used through OR Tambo International Airport. Spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe said the incidents reflect ongoing efforts to disrupt smuggling networks operating through key points of entry.
UN expresses concern over KZN xenophobic attacks
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has expressed deep concern over reports of xenophobic attacks in KwaZulu-Natal, reports SABC News. In his Independence Day message, he said all forms of violence, vigilantism and incitement to hatred have no place in an inclusive, democratic society governed by the rule of law and respect for human rights. This comes after reports of incidents in the province targeting Ghanaians and other African nationals over their immigration status in the country. The government, including the police ministry, have described these attacks as directly contrary to the values on which the country's democracy was founded.