For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Lumkile Nkomfe

Making headlines: 9.8% drop in murder cases, but Saps to reassess policing in hotspots; Cabinet urges S African unity amid misinformation from Trump administration; And, Ugandan opposition politician charged with treason

9.8% drop in murder cases, but Saps to reassess policing in hotspots

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu announced on Friday that the South African Police Service has dedicated next week Thursday to reviewing policing in high murder zones, while he observed an overall decrease in several categories of crime in the quarterly crime statistics.

Mchunu released the crime statistics for the third quarter of 2024/25, in Pretoria, where he pointed out that the issue of gang violence required a rethink in approach.

The crime statistics showed a 9.8% decrease in murder cases; a 3.3% reduction in rape cases; a 3.2% drop in attempted sexual offences and a notable decline in carjackings and robberies at both residential and non-residential premises.

The statistics cover the period from October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.

Saps has noted concerns from the public about extortion, kidnappings and drugs, with Mchunu pointing out that these matters would receive attention on Thursday.

Cabinet urges S African unity amid misinformation from Trump administration

South Africa's Government of National Unity Cabinet has urged all South Africans to rally in support of the country during a time of “misinformation, disinformation and propaganda” which it said is aimed at misrepresenting government and dividing the nation.

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to cut funding to South Africa, citing disapproval of the country’s land policy and its genocide case against US ally Israel.

Cabinet said Trump’s executive order lacked “factual accuracy and is rooted in misinformation and falsehood aimed at misrepresenting” the actual purpose of the law and sowing racial divisions.

Cabinet rejected claims that the South African government is confiscating land and “treating certain class of people very badly”, as Trump had claimed.

Cabinet said citizens must not allow “false narratives” to divide the country.

And, Ugandan opposition politician charged with treason

A Ugandan magistrates' court charged detained opposition politician Kizza Besigye with treason on Friday, rejecting his lawyer's pleas that he be transferred to hospital to help him recover from ill health stemming from a hunger strike.

The 68-year-old opponent and critic of longtime President Yoweri Museveni appeared in court in the capital Kampala on Friday looking frail and in a wheelchair. He was briefly hospitalised at the weekend and a government minister this week said his health condition was alarming.

His lawyers say he was "kidnapped" in Kenya's capital Nairobi with his aide Obed Lutale in November and returned to Uganda, where they were charged with offences including illegal weapons possession and treachery in a military court.

His wife said on February 12 that he had begun a hunger strike over his detention. His lawyer said on Friday he had now ended it because his case had been transferred to a civilian court following a Supreme Court ruling on January 31 that trying civilians in military courts was unconstitutional.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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