Five people were killed and at least three others injured in two separate incidents when unidentified gunmen attacked passenger vehicles Monday and Tuesday along the Torit-Kapoeta Road, according to state officials in the South Sudanese town of Torit.

A medical worker at Torit Civil Hospital said some of the injured are listed in critical condition.

Eyewitnesses said that in the first incident Monday, gunmen shot at a passenger vehicle near the small village of Tuhubak, 30 kilometers from Torit on the Torit-Kapoeta Road, killing the driver.

They said some of the passengers narrowly escaped death by jumping out of the moving vehicle and running into the bush.

A woman who survived said the attackers stole everything from the vehicle, including money and luggage.

“It was around 10 p.m. when they started shooting at us,” said the woman, who did not want to be identified for fear of retaliation. “They shot the driver and he fell down, and the vehicle continued to move for some distance. When it stopped, all of us got out and fled into the bush.

“When the attackers came, they were calling for people to come out, but no one did so. I had my sister’s child, who cried and the attackers came and caught me. They took everything from me and those in the vehicle.”

The woman said she could not identify the men because it was too dark.

Tuesday’s attack

In the second incident Tuesday, unknown gunmen shot at a Land Cruiser in an area called Idolu on the same road, approximately 10 kilometers from Torit. The driver was transporting passengers to Kapoeta.

Eyewitnesses said four people were killed on the spot, and three others — including a child — were wounded and are recovering at Torit Civil Hospital.

Wednesday, anxious residents crowded around the entrance to the hospital’s mortuary, hoping their loved ones were not among the five dead.

Major General Edward Dimitiri Lokak, the Imotong State Police Commissioner, said security forces are working to prevent further attacks on the Torit-Kapoeta Road, but did not specify what measures are being taken.

The main road is about 100 kilometers north of Uganda and links the newly created Imotong state to Kenya. It is one of the new states unilaterally created by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir when he expanded the number of states from 10 to 28.

Source: Voice Of America

Just after 3:00 this morning members from Delft SAPS were attending to a complaint of robbery in progress at a petrol station in Delft along Delft Main Road when the shooting incident occurred, the members responded on the scene and were ambushed by two AK47 wielding suspects who shot at them indiscriminately before fleeing the scene.

Three balaclava clad accomplices then emerged from inside the store then joined them, leaving behind explosives, which points to an ATM bombing attempt. A 35 year old Constable succumbed to the injuries on the scene whilst the crew, a warrant officer is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

Investigations are underway. No arrests as yet.

As demonstrated by the recent successful arrests of those implicated in police killings cases we shall not rest until we find those responsible. We are saying they can run, but they cannot hide. We further urge members of the community to expose and report those involved.

Source:  South African Police Service

Ndondo Amos Phakati, a police constable stationed at Elukwatini Crime Investigation Services, was granted a bail of R1 000 when he appeared before the Bad Plaas Magistrate’s Court today (Thursday) after he was arrested on Wednesday for dealing in rhino horn.

Phakhati (39) joined Dunisani Magagula (41), Sibongile Semelane (34), Joyce Ntombi Nkosi (26), Sonto Catherine Nkosi (42) and Moses Piet Mabuza (36) who were released on R2 000 bail each by the Caroline Magistrate’s Court on Monday following their arrest on Saturday. The six suspects appeared today (Thursday) at Bad Plaas Magistrate’s Court and their case was postponed to 28 July 2016.

Members of the Hawks in Secunda, Mpumalanga had received information about the people who were selling a rhino horn. A swift operation was conducted the five suspects were caught in the act of selling the rhino horn valued at R60 000. Investigations revealed that constable Phakati was the one negotiating with the buyer and used a state vehicle to transport the horn.

The six suspects appeared today (Thursday) at Bad Plaas Magistrate’s Court and their case was postponed to 28 July 2016.

Source: South African Police Service

ABUJA: CHAIRMAN of the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, Kayode Oladele, said Nigeria required the support of the international community to facilitate the recovery looted funds. Such funds said to be stashed offshore was key for national development. Oladele said that effective collaboration between the Nigerian anti-graft agencies and their foreign counterparts would aid other laudable actions of the government in the fight against corruption.

Speaking during the maiden meeting of International Corruption Hunters’ Network in Abuja, he lauded the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for taking advantage of the networking and knowledge transfer opportunities provided by the group to further strengthen its institutional processes.

Oladele urged the group to continually avail its members of emerging top-notch strategies and methods in the fight against corruption. “I have no doubt in my mind that this (recent) meeting will further enhance peer learning, fruitful exchange and adaptation of best practices among members of the network in areas such as investigative techniques, preventive advice, monitoring of the compliance standards of bad entities as well as the law enforcement agencies.”

The timelines of the recent meeting cannot be over-emphasized for a number of reasons. “First, it came at a time when the Nigerian government has launched a historic offensive against corruption. At the Vanguard of their integrity crusade is President Muhammed Buhari and other senior government officials who, through their commitment to the virtues of integrity, rekindled the confidence of Nigerians in the institution of government,” said Oladele.

SOURCE: CAJ NEWS AGENCY

NEW YORK, United States of America, November 25, 2015
The Secretary-General condemns the terrorist attack today in North Sinai’s al-Arish City, Egypt, which reportedly killed a number of Government officials, security personnel and civilians. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Egypt, and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack.

The Secretary-General reiterates his strong belief in the need for a holistic approach to preventing and countering the scourge of terrorism, stressing due regard for international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law.

New York, 24 November 2015
SOURCE
United Nations – Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General