A police officer in South Africa was lowered into a crocodile-infested river from a helicopter to recover human remains.

In footage shared online, the officer can be seen retrieving a euthanised crocodile, which is believed to have eaten a businessman who was swept away by floodwaters last week.

Capt Johan “Pottie” Potgieter used a rope to secure the reptile, and both were hoisted away from the Komati River in the north-east of the country.

“The sharp-end of a crocodile is not the best place to approach it,” he told the News24 website.

The operation, which was described by police as “highly dangerous and complex”, followed the disappearance of a 59-year-old unnamed man in the area last week.

The man’s car became stranded when he attempted to cross a low bridge in the flooded river.

The vehicle was empty when police arrived at the scene, leading them to suspect that he had been swept away by the water, Col Mavela Masondo, Mpumalanga provincial police spokesman, told the national broadcaster SABC.

Mr Potgieter, who is the commander of a police diving unit, said the authorities used drones and helicopters during the search and noticed a small island where a number of crocodiles were basking in the sun.

He said they could tell from years of experience that one of the animals had recently eaten.

“Besides having a massively full tummy, he didn’t move around or try to slip into the river despite the noise of the drones and the chopper,” he told News24.

The reptile was then killed before Mr Potgieter retrieved it from the water.

The animal, measuring 15ft long and weighing 1,100lb, was flown to the nearby Kruger National Park, where human remains were discovered inside its intestines.

DNA tests will be carried out to confirm whether the remains are those of the missing man.

As well as the body parts, six different types of shoe were found, according to Mr Potgieter.

He said this could indicate it had killed other people, but not necessarily, adding: “A crocodile will eat or swallow anything.”

South Africa’s acting police chief, Lt-Gen Puleng Dimpane, praised Mr Potgieter for his bravery.

“Capt Potgieter’s willingness to place his own life at risk, going far beyond the call of duty, reflects the unwavering commitment of SAPS (South African Police Service) members to serve and protect, even in the face of danger that could have cost him his life,” she said. (Telegraph)

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India Women have named their 15-member squad for the upcoming tri-nation series against Sri Lanka and South Africa.

The big addition in the squad from the ICC Women’s Championship series against Ireland earlier this year is that of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who had been rested for the three-ODI series at home.

Also back in action are all-rounder Sneh Rana and wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia.

Pace duo of Renuka Singh Thakur & Titas Sadhu were not considered for the selection owing to injuries, the BCCI stated in their release.

India squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Tejal Hasabnis, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay

India will compete in the tri-nation series in Sri Lanka starting April 27, facing the hosts in the opening fixture in Colombo.

With the Women’s Cricket World Cup at home nearing, the series acts as a preparation for the marquee tournament later this year.

Tri-nation series schedule:

1st ODI: Sri Lanka vs India, Sunday, 27 April

2nd ODI: India vs South Africa, Tuesday, 29 April

3rd ODI: Sri Lanka vs South Africa, Friday, 02 May

4th ODI: Sri Lanka vs India, Sunday, 04 May

5th ODI: South Africa vs India, Wednesday, 07 May

6th ODI: Sri Lanka vs South Africa, Friday, 09 May

Final: TBD, Sunday, 11 May (ICC)

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THIS past week, we celebrated International Women’s Day in South Africa and the world. As we reflect on the historical day, we are also obligated to revisit our commitment as South Africans to the emancipation of women in our country, particularly rural women.

Rural women in South Africa continue to bear the brunt of triple oppression due to their race, class, and gender; hence, it is not a coincidence that in their majority they have not managed to achieve economic freedom.

This situation is no different from the realities of many women in the Global South, and one country in particular that is also confronted with this circumstance is India. The patriarchal norms in India have hindered women’s progress in the country, but a lot is seemingly being done by the Indian government to effect change.

One such programme is “The Drone Didi Initiative” for rural women, which can be used as a yardstick in South Africa to resolve the challenge of gender-based inequality in rural communities, solve food security challenges, alleviate poverty, and create jobs.

The India program to provide women with agricultural  drones, launched in 2019, provides women with practical, technology-driven skills with the intention of creating immediate income-generating opportunities and resolving other imminent socioeconomic challenges.

According to reports, the initial number of rural women who were trained to deploy the drones was 500, with 200 drones deployed. Today: “Over 5 000 women are part of the program, with 1 500 drones in operation.”

In rural provinces across South Africa, rural women are often the backbone of agricultural activities but remain under-represented. Adopting a similar initiative could empower these women, enabling them to contribute more effectively to the development of their own lives, families, communities, and the country.

Currently, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Food Program (UNFP) affirm that technology and innovation are key enablers to save and change lives around the world. To that end, drones enable precision agriculture, improving crop health and yields.

In India, the Drone Didi initiative has led to a 25% increase in crop yields and a 30% reduction in pesticide use. In South Africa, smallholder farmers still struggle to compete. By equipping rural women with drones, South Africa could be a game changer.

For example, rural areas in South Africa, such as KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, pose significant logistical challenges due to their difficult terrain.  Drones can be particularly useful in these areas, enabling farmers to monitor and manage their crops more efficiently and safely.

Equally, drones can facilitate the transportation of harvested crops from remote areas to local markets, reducing costs and increasing accessibility.

To that end, the India Drone Didi initiative demonstrates how technology can create economic opportunities in underserviced regions. In India, women are earning significant incomes, with an average increase of 50% in their household income.

According to a recent report by McKinsey Global Institute titled, ‘Dependency and depopulation? Confronting the consequences of a new demographic reality’, India, which has the largest population in the world, has the potential to become the second largest economy per purchasing power parity by 2050 if the country aggressively pushes women to participate in the mainstream economy.

As BRICS members, India and South Africa can collaborate on agricultural innovation. India’s success with drone Didi can serve as a case study, offering insights into implementation and scaling up.

Furthermore, local institutions such as the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Innovation Hub, and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) can play a crucial role in shaping rural women farm worker cooperatives using drone technology and scaling operations.

Moreover, this initiative can foster social change by challenging patriarchal norms, promoting gender equality, and also uplifting households. As more women get empowered, the entire family stands to benefit.

Drones can also be beneficial for pregnant women and new mothers in rural areas as they reduce the need for physical labour. Drones can help these women maintain their farms while ensuring their health and well-being are being taken care of.

For South Africa, this initiative represents a unique opportunity to transform rural communities, empower women, and modernise agriculture. By embracing this initiative and leveraging local expertise, South Africa can unlock a brighter future for its rural women and communities. (The Guardian)

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the schedule for the Sri Lanka ‘A’ Tour of South Africa.

Accordingly, the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team will tour South Africa during the August – September 2024 period.

During the tour, Sri Lanka ‘A’ will play three one-day games and two four-day games against South Africa ‘A’. (Newswire)

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National Peoples Power (NPP) Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has held discussions with the Japan, South Africa, and Switzerland Heads of Missions in Sri Lanka. 

According to the NPP, MP Dissanayake met with Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki, High Commissioner of South Africa Sandile Schalk, and Ambassador to Switzerland Siri Walt. 

The meeting took place at the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s Head Office on Thursday (May 09) with the participation of an NPP delegation, consisting of Dr. Rizwi Sally, Saroja Paulraj, Ramalingam Chandrasekar and Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara.

The First Secretary (Political Affairs) of the Japanese Embassy Murata Shinichi, the Second Secretary (Political Affairs) of the South African High Commission Zanethemba Tshangela and the First Secretary (Political Affairs) of the Switzerland Embassy Justine Boillat also participated in the discussion. 

An intense discussion was held on maintaining peace and harmony between the nationalities of Sri Lanka, while questions were raised on the NPP’s policies and solutions in this regard.

Responding, the NPP Leader shared that his party was not ready to use racism for politics in any way, and emphasized that they are ready to provide solutions to the national problem based on equality and democracy.

The NPP delegation also pointed out that the national problem cannot be solved in isolation as it is interlinked with other factors, and that it must be addressed as a single problem to find a solution.

The National Peoples Power further expressed its gratitude to the Heads of Missions for the interest of the international community in this matter. (Newswire)

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An eight-year-old child was the sole survivor after a bus carrying 46 people fell 50 metres from a bridge in South Africa into a ravine and caught fire.

The child, who has not been named, was taken to hospital with serious injuries, the transport ministry said in a statement late on Thursday.

The passengers were pilgrims travelling from Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, to an Easter service at St Engenas Zionist Christian church in the town of Moria in the north of South Africa.

“It is alleged that the driver lost control, colliding with barriers on the bridge causing the bus to go over the bridge and hitting the ground, where it caught fire,” a government statement said.

Some bodies were burnt beyond recognition and others were trapped by the debris or scattered over the crash scene, in the country’s northeast about 190 miles (300km) north of Johannesburg, the department said, with rescue efforts continuing into the night.

The bus – which was towing a trailer, according to broadcaster SABC – plunged off the Mmamatlakala bridge linking two hillsides between Mokopane and Marken in Limpopo province, the state’s transport department said. The vehicle fell 50 metres (164ft) onto rocky ground below, it said.

The Zionist Christian church has its headquarters in Moria and its Easter pilgrimage attracts hundreds of thousands of people from across South Africa and neighbouring countries. This year was the first Easter pilgrimage to Moria since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The bus had a Botswana licence plate, local authorities said, but the nationalities of the passengers were still being checked.

The transport minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga, who was already in the area as part of a road safety campaign, went to the scene of the crash and said the South African government would help repatriate the bodies and conduct a full inquiry into the cause of the crash.

Chikunga extended her “heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the tragic bus crash”. She said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

“We continue to urge responsible driving at all times with heightened alertness as more people are on our roads this Easter weekend.”

Although South Africa has one of Africa’s most developed road networks, it has one of the worst safety records.

South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, sent his condolences to Botswana and pledged support to the country, his office said in a statement. Hours before the crash, he had appealed to South Africans to take care when travelling during the Easter week.

“Let’s do our best to make this a safe Easter. Easter does not have to be a time where we sit back and wait to see statistics on tragedy or injuries on our roads,” he said in a statement. (The Guardian)

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The Sri Lanka Women’s Team will tour South Africa during March – April 2024 to engage in a white ball contest. 

According to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), during the tour, Sri Lanka will play three T20Is and three ODIs with the South African women’s National Team. 

The ODI series is part of the ICC Women’s Championship. (NewsWire)

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The Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity with Palestine (SLCSP) has commended South Africa for its decision to bring Israel before the International Court of Justice for the genocide carried out in the Gaza Strip.

In a letter addressed to the High Commissioner of South Africa to Sri Lanka, the SLCSP said this action aligns with South Africa’s historic commitment to justice, freedom, and the legacy of Nelson Mandela, who declared that your nation’s freedom was incomplete without Palestinian freedom.  

“As a group that is committed to seeing a world order based on justice, we share your concern about the genocidal massacres Israel is carrying out in the Gaza Strip with a culture of impunity. At a time when the global community is helpless and unable to stop the massacres going on in the Gaza Strip, we see South African President His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision as a beacon of light in the world of darkness. Your country has helped restore our faith in humanity. We strongly support your country’s action to refer Israel to the ICJ. 

“With its courageous and principled stand, we note that South Africa stands tall in world politics today, while some powerful countries in the West, unmoved by the killing of 22,000 innocent Palestinian civilians, including more than 10,000 children, normalize genocide as a political tool to resolve conflicts. 

“Your Excellency, when today’s events become history, generations to come will remember South Africa for its leadership in establishing global justice, holding the perpetrators accountable for their crimes against humanity, and paving the way for a just resolution. We salute South Africa, its leaders, and its people,” the SLCSP further said in its letter. (NewsWire) 

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At least 52 people died when a fire ripped through a multi-story building in Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city, emergency services said Thursday.

Emergency Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said another 43 people were injured in the blaze that broke out in the predawn hours. He said the death toll might still increase.

A search and recovery operation was underway and firefighters were moving through the building, Mulaudzi said. The team had pulled 52 bodies out so far, he said, adding that more people might be trapped inside.

At least one child was among the dead, Mulaudzi said.

Authorities said the fire had been largely extinguished, but smoke still seeped out of windows of the blackened building downtown. Strings of sheets and other materials also hung out of some of the windows. It was not clear if people had used those to try and escape the fire or if they were trying to save their possessions.

Mulaudzi said the building was effectively an “informal settlement” where homeless people had moved in looking for accommodation without any formal lease agreements. He said that made it hard to search the building.

There might have been as many as 200 people living in the building, witnesses said. (AP Africa)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday as they reviewed progress in their bilateral cooperation, anchored in historical and strong people-to-people ties.

PM Modi also thanked him for the relocation of 12 cheetahs to India earlier this year, according to a statement.

They also exchanged views on a number of regional and global issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in BRICS in the context of South Africa’s chairmanship this year, it added.

“President Ramaphosa briefed PM on the African Leaders’ Peace Initiative. Noting that India was supportive of all initiatives aimed at ensuring durable peace and stability in Ukraine, PM reiterated India’s consistent call for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward,” it said.

In their telephonic conversation, President Ramaphosa conveyed his full support to India’s initiatives as part of its ongoing G20 presidency and said that he looked forward to his visit to India. (NDTV)

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