Lessons from Indonesia in fighting SA's drug scourge
Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once.
Show Comments ()
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
U.S. deports men from Asia and Latin America with criminal records to South Sudan after legal saga
The Trump administration said it deported a group of eight men convicted of serious crimes in the United States to the conflict-ridden African country of South Sudan, following a weeks-long legal saga that had kept the deportees in a military base in Djibouti for weeks. Assistant Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the deportation flight carrying the deportees landed in South Sudan just before midnight EST on Friday. A photo provided by the department showed the deportees, with their hands and feet shackled, sitting inside an aircraft, guarded by U.S. service members. Eight men from Asia and Latin America were deported from the United States to South Sudan after a weeks-long legal fight. U.S. Department of Homeland Security The deportations to South Sudan — a country plagued by armed conflict and political instability that the U.S. government warns Americans not to visit — mark an unprecedented new frontier in President Trump's government-wide crackdown on illegal immigration. None of the deportees is from South Sudan. They hail from Cuba, Mexico, Laos, Myanmar, Sudan and Vietnam, and were ordered deported from the U.S. after being convicted of crimes, including murder, homicide, sexual assault, lascivious acts with a child and robbery. The high-profile legal battle over the fate of the men culminated when two federal judges on Friday denied a last-ditch attempt by immigration rights advocates to halt the deportations, saying their hands were tied by recent orders from the U.S. Supreme Court. The deportations signify a major political victory for the Trump administration, which has sought to convince countries around the world — irrespective of their human rights record — to accept deportees who are not their citizens, including those convicted of serious crimes. "A district judge cannot dictate the national security and foreign policy of the United States of America," said McLaughlin, the DHS spokeswoman. "This Independence Day marks another victory for the safety and security of the American people." The deportations have also alarmed human rights advocates, who fear the men could face jail time, torture or other harms in South Sudan. They've argued the deportations to South Sudan are designed to punish the men for their crimes, even though they have already served criminal sentences in the U.S. "The U.S. State Department warns Americans against all travel to South Sudan, yet deported these men there without any due process," said Trina Realmuto, an attorney for the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, which tried to halt the deportations. "Make no mistake about it, these deportations were punitive and unconstitutional." It's unclear exactly how the deportees will be treated in South Sudan. A Justice Department attorney told a federal judge Friday that South Sudan informed the U.S. it would offer the men a temporary immigration status, but the lawyer could not confirm whether they would be detained. The Trump administration has said in court filings that South Sudanese officials have made assurances that the deportees will not face torture. The men's deportation was made possible by a Supreme Court order earlier this week. At the request of the Trump administration, the Supreme Court on Thursday clarified the scope of an earlier order it had issued to pause a lower court ruling barring deportations to third-party countries without a degree of due process and notice. That April lower court ruling by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy in Massachusetts had required the Trump administration to give detainees sufficient notice and a chance to be interviewed by a U.S. asylum officer before any deportation to a country where they did not hail from. That case thwarted several deportation efforts, including a plan to send detainees to Libya. When he learned of the administration's plan to deport the eight men to South Sudan in May, Murphy blocked that effort, mandating the U.S. to retain custody of the detainees and to offer them a chance to contest their deportation. The administration transferred the detainees to the Camp Lemonnier naval base in Djibouti, where U.S. officials described dangerous conditions, including concerns about malaria, rocket attacks, inadequate security protocols and triple-digit outdoor temperatures. But the Supreme Court last month suspended Murphy's ruling from April. And on Thursday, it said Murphy could no longer require the government to allow the detainees in Djibouti to contest their deportation, since the order underpinning that requirement had been paused. Hours later, immigrant rights advocates asked a different federal judge, Randolph Moss in Washington, D.C., to halt the deportations to South Sudan. He did so on Friday, but only briefly before saying the request should be handled by Murphy. Moss expressed concern about risks to the men's "physical safety" and said the U.S. government should not be in the business of inflicting "pain and suffering" on people who have already served their sentence, even for "terrible crimes." But he said his hands were tied, telling the advocates they needed to ask Murphy for any intervention. Later on Friday, Murphy denied the advocates' request, saying the Supreme Court orders were "binding."
News24
3 hours ago
- News24
Limpopo hip-hop artist sentenced to three life terms for repeatedly raping nine-year-old boy
Samuel Boomfire Mbuyane was sentenced to three life terms for repeatedly raping a nine-year-old boy. Mbuyane manipulated the victim, leaving the boy with severe psychological trauma. The NPA urged people to report abuse and protect vulnerable children. Limpopo-based hip-hop artist, Samuel Boomfire Mbuyane, was sentenced to three life terms for repeatedly raping a nine-year-old boy in Driekop village. The Burgersfort Regional Court delivered the verdict, declaring Mbuyane, 42, guilty on three counts of rape, which were committed between 6 and 8 November 2020. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm. 'This landmark conviction, stemming from heinous acts, underscores the NPA's [National Prosecuting Authority] unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable children and combating gender-based violence (GBV),' said Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, the NPA's regional spokesperson. During the trial, evidence revealed that Mbuyane lured the victim to his home under the pretence of playing music. READ | Eastern Cape woman, 102, raped, murdered during home invasion Once there, he bound the boy to a chair, raped him, and issued death threats if he disclosed the abuse. Malabi-Dzhangi added that, in an additional manipulative act, Mbuyane referred to the young victim as his 'wife', and gave him a phone which had an alarm set to remind him to return for further assaults. 'The terrified boy, forced by fear, complied and was raped on two more occasions. The abuse came to light when the boy's mother noticed his physical pain and distress,' Malabi-Dzhangi said. Community members apprehended Mbuyane and handed him over to the police. Despite pleading not guilty and denying the charges, the court found Mbuyane's defence baseless. Malabi-Dzhangi said: Prosecutor Thandi Mafolo presented irrefutable evidence, including testimony from the now 14-year-old victim, his mother, and medical reports confirming the assaults. 'In addition, a Victim Impact Statement detailed the severe psychological trauma suffered by the young survivor, highlighting the social stigma, peer ostracism, and subsequent need to change schools.' Mafolo argued that Mbuyane's predatory actions, abuse of his status as a community figure, and betrayal of the victim's trust justified the maximum sentence. 'The court agreed, emphasising the seriousness of his crimes and their long-term impact. The conviction was met with praise from Limpopo's NPA, with advocate Ivy Thenga commending the efforts of Mafolo and investigating officer Sergeant Jacob Letsatsi Mojalefa in securing justice,' Malabi-Dzhangi said. Malabi-Dzhangi urged South Africans to unite against GBV and emphasised the importance of recognising signs of abuse and reporting it promptly. 'This case highlights the critical role of parents and community members in protecting children. We must foster safe environments, where children can heal and thrive, free from fear and stigma, while ensuring justice upholds their constitutional rights. 'This case serves as a grave reminder that vigilance and collective action are vital in combating crimes against children and upholding justice,' she said.
News24
4 hours ago
- News24
Two cops among five killed in horrific accident along N3 in Durban
Two police officers were among five people killed on Friday after a minibus taxi plunged down a 50m embankment on the N3, near Shongweni West, Durban. KwaZulu-Natal's Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, said Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officials established that a 'reckless Polo driver caused the horrific accident' on the N3 towards Pietermaritzburg just after 17:00. According to the RTI, a minibus taxi carrying 17 passengers was travelling to Ixopo when it veered off the road and rolled down the embankment. Duma said truck drivers who witnessed the accident said the taxi driver was allegedly trying to avoid a reckless Polo driver when he lost control of the taxi. The RTI team, Durban metro police, the Road Traffic Management Corporation and the South African police are reconstructing the accident as part of the investigation. 'At this stage, we are trying to locate the families of the deceased. Three passengers are in a serious condition, and nine others sustained minor injuries. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims,' said Duma. Garrith Jamieson, of ALS Paramedics, said the incident occurred just before 17:00 on Friday. 'First responders arrived on the scene to find chaos and carnage as they found the taxi and a light motor vehicle had collided before the taxi lost control and rolled down the embankment,' said Jamieson. He said paramedics made their way down to the taxi and began setting up a triage station. 'Unfortunately, five people had sustained major injuries and there was nothing paramedics could do for them and they were declared deceased on the scene. 'Thirteen other passengers had sustained various injuries, ranging from moderate to critical, and while paramedics worked to stabilise them, the rescue teams made up of Durban Metro Police Search and Rescue, the eThekwini Fire Department and Mobiclaw began setting up a complicated roping system to bring the injured up to awaiting ambulances,' said Jamieson. He said those injured had been transported to various Durban hospitals for further care.
