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IOL News
21-07-2025
- IOL News
More human trafficking victims stranded in Thailand
23 South Africans who fell victim to human trafficking in Myanmar we reported to have arrived home. DIRCO through the South African Embassy in Thailand, with the support of other departments and agencies, managed the complex process. An operation by Thai, Chinese and Myanmar authorities led to the release of more than 7000 people from locked compounds in Myanmar where they were forced to trick and scam people worldwide. Image: DIRCO Close to 200 South Africans are currently stranded in Thailand, having fallen victim to a human trafficking scheme. They were lured by the promise of well-paying jobs, advertised through social media and word-of-mouth. This criminal operation is allegedly orchestrated by a Chinese mafia network. The job scams target young South Africans who are fluent in English, computer literate, and have marketing or IT qualifications. They are promised good salaries, free accommodation, comprehensive travel expenses, and other lucrative benefits. When victims/ targets accept the offer, they are given a one-way ticket to Thailand before being trafficked to Myanmar and forced to work in illegal online scamming compounds operated by Chinese mafia networks. Emma van der Walt, founder and chief executive of Brave to Love SA, a counter-human trafficking NGO, said that her organisation worked alongside the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), Hawks, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Home Affairs and Immigration Services, and Interpol to bring back the human trafficking victims. The South Africans stuck in Thailand were rescued from Myanmar, at the same time as the group of 23 human trafficking victims, repatriated to the country in March 2025. However, the large group remains in Southeast Asia because they don't have the means to purchase plane tickets. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ They were subjected to brutal treatment, including intimidation, physical torture, and forced labour, working for 16 hours a day. They were also compelled to engage in illicit activities, including online scams that targeted individuals worldwide. They were frequently beaten or tortured if they refused. They survived on spoiled food and contaminated water without access to medical treatment. In March, the South African government said a ransom of approximately R50 000 was demanded for their release. The online scams where South Africans were forced to work are also known as 'pig butchering scams,' in which victims are cultivated online and eventually fleeced of their assets. Van der Walt said in choosing the first 23, Brave To Love prioritised the most vulnerable individuals in the group, and was followed by three more for whom the organisation managed to raise plane tickets. To date, 26 South African victims who were trafficked to the illegal scamming compounds bordering Thailand and Myanmar have been safely repatriated. She described this as one of the most complex international rescue operations that Brave to Love has successfully assisted in to date. 'These operations are well-coordinated and run by transnational networks. They prey on economic desperation and false hope. The need for awareness, prevention, and international cooperation has never been more urgent,' van der Walt said. 'Despite these rescues, we are gravely concerned. We estimate that over 200 South Africans remain trapped in similar scamming compounds across Myanmar.' Her organisation is raising funds to bring back home the remaining group. Head of Public Diplomacy at Dirco, Clayson Manyela previously explained that consular assistance offered by the government through embassies is non-financial. He stated that financial matters are covered by individuals travelling or their families, and that the government only gets involved when individuals are destitute and have nothing. Monyela stated that South Africans planning to travel to any country, for leisure, business, studies, or work, should get travel insurance. He added that it helps when one runs out of money and needs to travel back. He urged South Africans to find the nearest South African Embassy or Consulate in the country they are going to, and share their details with them. It helps Dirco to locate them and offer consular assistance when they are in distress. Cape Times
South Wales Argus
08-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Xu channelling inspiration from Raducanu at Junior Wimbledon
Swansea starlet Xu, 17, safely navigated her way to the third round of the girls' singles with a confident 6-1 6-2 triumph over 12th seed Alena Kovackova. To gear up for the junior competition, Xu faced 2021 US Open champion Raducanu in the first round of the senior draw where she fell to a valiant 6-3 6-3 defeat on Court 1. Xu sought to pick the British No.1's brains while they were cooling down after that encounter, while both the pair's Chinese heritage means Raducanu communicates with Xu's mum in Mandarin when they train together at the National Tennis Centre. The Welsh star also has fond memories of Raducanu's fairytale New York triumph and now wants to channel inspiration in order to emulate those exploits in SW19. 'Straight after our match we were stretching and she gave me some advice,' she said. 'I've got to know her quite well - she gave me advice about what to do with my game, was really supportive and super friendly telling me where to improve, so it was really helpful. 'I remember her wining US Open – we were all huddled round the TV and it was really inspirational for all of us. 'To see how much hard work she puts in day out – it really shows what it takes to get to the top. 'I got the job done today – I played well and aggressively, took most balls on and it was a solid performance.' Xu made much lighter work of Czech player Kovackova than in her first round match, where she was forced to battle from behind to beat American Thea Frodin 2-6 6-4 7-5. She found her fluent best on Court 12 the following day, however, requiring just 53 minutes to despatch her higher-ranked opponent and book her place in the last 16. There she will face Australian Tahlia Kokkinis, who beat fellow Brit Daniella Britton in straight sets elsewhere on Monday afternoon. And she hopes using the partisan British crowd to her advantage can catapult her into the quarter-finals. 'I've played on these courts more than anyone else,' she said. 'What better way to prepare for the junior draw than playing seniors the week before? 'I've got used to using the British crowd, who have been absolutely amazing. 'It was full today and they really got me across the finish line – hopefully more of the same tomorrow and I'm taking it one game at a time.' For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website.
Wales Online
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Mimi Xu gets Emma Raducanu advice as she powers through at Junior Wimbledon
Mimi Xu gets Emma Raducanu advice as she powers through at Junior Wimbledon Xu, 17, safely navigated her way to the third round of the girls' singles with a confident 6-1 6-2 triumph over 12th seed Alena Kovackova Mimi Xu of Great Britain (Image:) Emma Raducanu's influence is fuelling Mimi Xu's pursuit of Junior Wimbledon glory. Swansea starlet Xu, 17, safely navigated her way to the third round of the girls' singles with a confident 6-1 6-2 triumph over 12th seed Alena Kovackova. To gear up for the junior competition, Xu faced 2021 US Open champion Raducanu in the first round of the senior draw where she fell to a valiant 6-3 6-3 defeat on Court 1. Xu sought to pick the British No.1's brains while they were cooling down after that encounter, while both the pair's Chinese heritage means Raducanu communicates with Xu's mum in Mandarin when they train together at the National Tennis Centre. Emma Raducanu beats Welsh teen Mimi Xu at Wimbledon (Image: Tim Merry ) The Welsh star also has fond memories of Raducanu's fairytale New York triumph and now wants to channel inspiration in order to emulate those exploits in SW19. Article continues below 'Straight after our match we were stretching and she gave me some advice,' she said. 'I've got to know her quite well - she gave me advice about what to do with my game, was really supportive and super friendly telling me where to improve, so it was really helpful. 'I remember her wining US Open – we were all huddled round the TV and it was really inspirational for all of us. 'To see how much hard work she puts in day out – it really shows what it takes to get to the top. 'I got the job done today – I played well and aggressively, took most balls on and it was a solid performance.' Xu made much lighter work of Czech player Kovackova than in her first-round match, where she was forced to battle from behind to beat American Thea Frodin 2-6 6-4 7-5. She found her fluent best on Court 12 the following day, however, requiring just 53 minutes to despatch her higher-ranked opponent and book her place in the last 16. Mimi Xu pictured during the Women's Singles Third Round match on day 4 of the Lexus Nottingham Open earlier this month (Image: Getty Images for LTA ) There she will face Australian Tahlia Kokkinis, who beat fellow Brit Daniella Britton in straight sets elsewhere on Monday afternoon. And she hopes using the partisan British crowd to her advantage can catapult her into the quarter-finals. 'I've played on these courts more than anyone else,' she said. 'What better way to prepare for the junior draw than playing seniors the week before? Article continues below 'I've got used to using the British crowd, who have been absolutely amazing. 'It was full today and they really got me across the finish line – hopefully more of the same tomorrow and I'm taking it one game at a time.' For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website.
South Wales Guardian
08-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Xu channelling inspiration from Raducanu at Junior Wimbledon
Swansea starlet Xu, 17, safely navigated her way to the third round of the girls' singles with a confident 6-1 6-2 triumph over 12th seed Alena Kovackova. To gear up for the junior competition, Xu faced 2021 US Open champion Raducanu in the first round of the senior draw where she fell to a valiant 6-3 6-3 defeat on Court 1. Xu sought to pick the British No.1's brains while they were cooling down after that encounter, while both the pair's Chinese heritage means Raducanu communicates with Xu's mum in Mandarin when they train together at the National Tennis Centre. The Welsh star also has fond memories of Raducanu's fairytale New York triumph and now wants to channel inspiration in order to emulate those exploits in SW19. 'Straight after our match we were stretching and she gave me some advice,' she said. 'I've got to know her quite well - she gave me advice about what to do with my game, was really supportive and super friendly telling me where to improve, so it was really helpful. 'I remember her wining US Open – we were all huddled round the TV and it was really inspirational for all of us. 'To see how much hard work she puts in day out – it really shows what it takes to get to the top. 'I got the job done today – I played well and aggressively, took most balls on and it was a solid performance.' Xu made much lighter work of Czech player Kovackova than in her first round match, where she was forced to battle from behind to beat American Thea Frodin 2-6 6-4 7-5. She found her fluent best on Court 12 the following day, however, requiring just 53 minutes to despatch her higher-ranked opponent and book her place in the last 16. There she will face Australian Tahlia Kokkinis, who beat fellow Brit Daniella Britton in straight sets elsewhere on Monday afternoon. And she hopes using the partisan British crowd to her advantage can catapult her into the quarter-finals. 'I've played on these courts more than anyone else,' she said. 'What better way to prepare for the junior draw than playing seniors the week before? 'I've got used to using the British crowd, who have been absolutely amazing. 'It was full today and they really got me across the finish line – hopefully more of the same tomorrow and I'm taking it one game at a time.' For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website.
India Today
06-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Watch: England's Harry Brook cheekily tries to force Shubman Gill to declare
England's Harry Brook brought a moment of humour to an intense Day 4 of the Edgbaston Test as he cheekily tried to convince India captain Shubman Gill to declare the innings early. With Gill in sublime form and India's lead surging past 550, Brook was caught on the stump mic saying, 'Declare on 450, it's going to rain tomorrow!' — a sly joke delivered with a smile, but one that hinted at real concerns in the England however, was in no mood to oblige. The Indian skipper was batting on a different level, scoring a fluent and dominant 161 off 162 balls. After a cautious start in the morning, he switched gears post-lunch and took control of the innings. Supported by handy contributions from Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, India ended their second innings on 427, setting England a mammoth target of vs IND 2nd Test Day 4 UpdatesWatch the video:Fancy a declaration, skipper? #HarryBrook's playful banter with #ShubmanGill had everyone in splits —Trying to charm the Indian captain into a cheeky call? #ENGvIND 2nd TEST, Day 4 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 5, 2025 As the scoreboard kept ticking and fans waited for the declaration, the decision kept getting pushed. At one stage, it looked like Gill's dismissal might trigger it — but India sent in Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar instead. The cameras even caught the Indian bowlers still in their jumpers, relaxed and the declaration came with around 16 overs left in the day, and India struck quickly to remove three of England's top-order batters. Still, with rain forecast for Day 5 in Birmingham, Brook's comment now carries more weight than just banter. It raised the question on many minds — did India declare too late?History doesn't favour teams setting targets over 600 in Tests. This is only the second time India have done so, with the previous instance in 2009 ending in a draw. While England's Bazball era has seen them chase big totals, 608 is a bridge too far — but not if rain plays spoilsport and saves them.- Ends
